I am totally no expert in discus...never kept them...
But fish not eating from the start is one of a few reasons...for the fish I've kept..
They have not been well acclimated to the water....normally that's the major reason...I drip acclimate until TDS in their water and tank water is the same. I know many people are against this but for me it has worked better than plop and drop method...in terms of fish acting naturally from the get go...and accepting food almost immediately...!
They are sickly...carry something that takes over under stress....A tank move a few feet away can be enough to trigger pathogens that the fish normally fights naturally...They may eventually fight it off again after they strengthen up but it doesn't mean there's no underlying cause and any stress...like bullying can trigger it again...
The tank is not well cycled...or caused a mini ammonia rise due to sudden bio overload if the previous bioload in the tank was not at the same level...or if one suddenly starts overfeeding. ..The spike may have been fast enough for the owner not to notice but would have done its deed....Large water changes when getting new fish is the only way to go...make it pristine for 3-4 weeks until the fish settles and the immune system kicks in properly.
Temperature has nothing to do with it as long as its not extreme...Any fish will have better metabolism in warmer temps but it comes with lower oxygen content, in turn worse nitrification, worse decomposition of organics and promotes more pathogenic organisms than in a well oxygenated tank...So discus or no discus..upping the surface movement and the water changes alongside with powerful filtration is essential to give new stressed fish a good start.
I would also say hiding spots....but I know its always bare bottom tank for discus...
Good luck with your adventure...one day I will keep them too...when I have more time on my hands.
But fish not eating from the start is one of a few reasons...for the fish I've kept..
They have not been well acclimated to the water....normally that's the major reason...I drip acclimate until TDS in their water and tank water is the same. I know many people are against this but for me it has worked better than plop and drop method...in terms of fish acting naturally from the get go...and accepting food almost immediately...!
They are sickly...carry something that takes over under stress....A tank move a few feet away can be enough to trigger pathogens that the fish normally fights naturally...They may eventually fight it off again after they strengthen up but it doesn't mean there's no underlying cause and any stress...like bullying can trigger it again...
The tank is not well cycled...or caused a mini ammonia rise due to sudden bio overload if the previous bioload in the tank was not at the same level...or if one suddenly starts overfeeding. ..The spike may have been fast enough for the owner not to notice but would have done its deed....Large water changes when getting new fish is the only way to go...make it pristine for 3-4 weeks until the fish settles and the immune system kicks in properly.
Temperature has nothing to do with it as long as its not extreme...Any fish will have better metabolism in warmer temps but it comes with lower oxygen content, in turn worse nitrification, worse decomposition of organics and promotes more pathogenic organisms than in a well oxygenated tank...So discus or no discus..upping the surface movement and the water changes alongside with powerful filtration is essential to give new stressed fish a good start.
I would also say hiding spots....but I know its always bare bottom tank for discus...
Good luck with your adventure...one day I will keep them too...when I have more time on my hands.
