New to discus keeping

[jkruger83]

Hey all, This is my first post at MFK, I just had a couple questions and wanted to introduce myself. I keep africans, South americans, And just got into discus.

I have my discus in a 56 gallon tank with a rena filstar XP2 and coralife actinic and full spectrum bulbs. The PH is at 6.0 and the water is 86 degrees farenheit. Ideal conditions correct? I have a large red marlboro (or so I think) and a cobalt blue discus. For a tank mate I have a gold ram and a couple clown plecos. There is also a fiddler crab in there somewhere. I cycled the tank and added the fish about 2 weeks ago. They seem very reclusive and the only thing I can get them to eat is frozen beef heart. I do not have much in the way of decorum in the tank except for a few large live plants. What would be some good stuff to put in there so they can have more privacy? I have been doing a little research and found driftwood to be a good thing to use but I do not know where to obtain it. Thanks everyone!

 

[DiscusMel]

How big are the discus?

I find the more discus you have the less shy they are, if yours
are still small you could add another 3-4 discus.

 

[jkruger83]

They are about 3-4 inches in length. I want to get more discus but they are hard to find around here plus they are very costly. I really need to find some driftwood.

 

[chat]

More discus fishes in tank, They're more active.

Promote they eat, and grow fast.

 

[teamdynasty691]

you can order them off the internet. discus are schooling fish and are best keep in groups of at least six

 

[jkruger83]

you can order them off the internet. discus are schooling fish and are best keep in groups of at least six

Really? I was told the complete opposite thing when i bought my fisrt discus. I now have a total of 5 discus, 10 neon tetras and a blue ram. The discus do seem to be sticking together more now and are a little less shy than before. The two that I just put in recently have clamped gill fins now though, Each has the same problem but only on the left side. I dont know what caused that, any suggestions? How many fish can I keep in this 56 gallon tank?

 

[teamdynasty691]

it depends on the demensions of the tank but the rule is normally one fish to ten gallons. So i would say get another and you will be set! As for the clamped gill fins, i do not know what to do besides quarentine and meds im not fimilair with clamped gill fins. Stress could cause that problem so if there new that could be it. Good luck with them

 

[jkruger83]

OKay here are a couple of pics of the discus that are hurting. You can see the pectoral fins "clamped" to the fish's body. I cant tell if its injusry related or bacterial. Both of these fish are showing the same symptoms. Please tell me what you think. THANKS

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In the third photo note the fish in the foreground. His pectoral fin is clearly not functioning correctly. Both fish are like this but this is the easiest pic to see it in.

 

[chat]

In my opinion, they're infected.

You should separate these 2 fishes in a small bare tank
with heater at 28C and stop feeding any food.

And use fungus and bacterial kill medicine,
In thai farm , Usually use formaldehyde 38-40% conc at 20-30ppm
and oxytetracychlin 20mg per 1 litre of water.
Ask your pet-shop for equivalent these.

After 3 days, Change the water with these medicine again.
May be normally in one week.

Don't use any filter,
Use air pump with sand-head only.

Hope this help your 2 fishes,
Good luck.

Note :

1.1litre=1000cc
2.20-30ppm =>2-3cc per 100 litres of water

 

[jkruger83]

What type of infection are you referring to? Fin rot? ich? I am going to seperate them in another tank tonight. What should I treat them with? Melafix, maricide, maracyn? I need some more help. Thanks!!