Help With Discus Refusing Food

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SilverArowanaBoi

Redtail Catfish
MFK Member
Sep 21, 2023
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If I do not change my water...
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Hey y'all! I need some help with feeding my new discus. He has been refusing every kind of food I've put into that tank, and it's seriously worrying me as I've never had a new fish refuse food (usually, they eat well on the first day). The seller said that he had not been given food for a few days before the expo (where I got him), which scares me the most. I've tried contacting the seller, but he hasn't replied.

He stays in one spot all day long, but the spot changes from day to day. He also stays a dark color, very rarely showing his bright colors. I did put a new piece of driftwood in the morning after he was put into the tank, so that may have something to do with this. I may have stressed him out too much in a short period of time. However, I've made drastic changes before and have not had any problems like this.

Also, with where I am right now, I can't do a water change or anything like that anytime soon. I'm unusually busy this week. If it is nessacary, I can try to carve out some time in the early morning if it will help.

I've read that adult discus tends to refuse food for a few days after being switched, while young discus doesn't have this problem.
 
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What have you fed? I don’t know too much about discus, but I’m pretty sure they are carnivores.
They also like the company of others (or at least so it seems) so it could be stressed on its own.
 
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Deadeye said:
What have you fed? I don’t know too much about discus, but I’m pretty sure they are carnivores.
They also like the company of others (or at least so it seems) so it could be stressed on its own.
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Thank you for asking, I totally forgot to put that. I've been trying to feed it bloodworms, flakes, Hikari Cichlid Gold pellets, algae wafers, and shrimp.

I've seen a ton of lonely discus that are perfectly healthy and happy. Even on this forum, I've seen lone discus. If my dude survives, I'm probably going to get two more smaller ones so it won't be alone (that is after I edit some of the tank so I can have two more). I do like the look of Discus; they are beautiful fish and even better in a group.
 
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They are very social fish, regardless of what you may have seen. I assume this is a domestically bred specimen. Pictures of the tank and of the fish would help. What are temp and water parameters? Reducing light helps at first. But lonely discus…no bueno.
You will need frequent and large water changes. If not possible, better no discus. Good luck!
 
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Discus can be finicky especially when introduced to a new aquarium. I have 7 currently and as FJB has said like to be in groups (5 or more) but I’ve seen them being kept alone. I would not recommend 3, they are cichlids and you’ll have a bullying problem which will lead to death and other issues. Make sure the temp is 84 F and above as they like hotter water and if you do not have soft acidic water where you are located, I recommend at a minimum 2 big (80 percent +) water changes a week. I was doing daily 80 percent water changes and with juveniles it’s a must to grow them out and reduce stunting. Doing less water changes doesn’t mean they’ll be unhealthy but will not grow as big and be as beautiful at least to a lot of discus snobs (myself included) out there. If you keep consistent high temperatures and good water quality, you’ll find success with them. As for food, I’d try hikari biogold, freeze dried black worms, frozen brine shrimp, and beef heart mix. I wouldn’t be too worried with it not eating right now as fish can stay pretty long periods of time without food. A picture would help to make sure it’s a healthy fish as they will eat eventually once settled in. Hope this helps! Pic of my 7 inch red raflessia discus pair cause why not :)

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Rayfishowner said:
Discus can be finicky especially when introduced to a new aquarium. I have 7 currently and as FJB has said like to be in groups (5 or more) but I’ve seen them being kept alone. I would not recommend 3, they are cichlids and you’ll have a bullying problem which will lead to death and other issues. Make sure the temp is 84 F and above as they like hotter water and if you do not have soft acidic water where you are located, I recommend at a minimum 2 big (80 percent +) water changes a week. I was doing daily 80 percent water changes and with juveniles it’s a must to grow them out and reduce stunting. Doing less water changes doesn’t mean they’ll be unhealthy but will not grow as big and be as beautiful at least to a lot of discus snobs (myself included) out there. If you keep consistent high temperatures and good water quality, you’ll find success with them. As for food, I’d try hikari biogold, freeze dried black worms, frozen brine shrimp, and beef heart mix. I wouldn’t be too worried with it not eating right now as fish can stay pretty long periods of time without food. A picture would help to make sure it’s a healthy fish as they will eat eventually once settled in. Hope this helps! Pic of my 7 inch red raflessia discus pair cause why not :)

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Click to expand...

My discus is about that size. I don't understand this...the people who had raised the discus had raised it in hard water (like as hard as mine, 8.2 pH) and had raised it in 75-degree water (he even checked it for me). It was perfectly fine and happy, showing great color, etc. I think the main problem is that there is no other discus because nothing is harassing it (as a matter of fact, they are scared of him, lol).

Unfortunately, I don't have the funds to get another discus at the moment. I'm broke from the expo.
 
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