Stunted

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Singin4Cnu

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Nov 9, 2007
53
0
0
Virginia
Hey guys,

I was posting on the planted section and one of the people informed me that my discus were stunted. Here are some pics. Can someone tell me how bad they are, If or how it can be fixed and some general advice if they do have it.

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Yes they do look stunted, the eyes are larger in proportion to the body. The only thing you can do is lots of water changes and feed high quality food. They may still grow some depending on their age. Raising them in a planted tank discus will not reach their full potential. All mine which were raised in a planted tank, topped out a 4.5-5".
 
The stunting is pretty advanced. They will not attain their maximum size possibility. You can provide them with the proper accommodation to get them to their max size possible with the stunting that has already taken place. You will not be able to completely fix the stunting ever though.
 
Raising a discus in a planted tank is completely feasible, and not to difficult given proper care. If you feed enough, keep up on water changes, and monitor water params, and especially TDS the discus will not stunt much at all. I keep my discus in a planted tank, and have had no problems with stunting.
 
So just start doing it the right way now? Is that all I can really do? Also does stunting affect the overall health of the fish or just the appearance?
 
Depending on how severe the stunting is, it can affect the health of the fish, to the point of death. Unless you are on top of your game with planted tanks, and discus, I really do not recommend combining the two together. The two systems have completely different maintenance schedules, and finding the right balance to maintain both, while still providing the proper housing isn't easy. I would also recommend that you purchase at least 2 more discus, but preferably 4 more discus. They will do better in a larger group.
 
How do I tell if its affecting there health? They eat readily, are active and colorful. Btw I said that I have a 29 gallon tank. Can I really keep 6 discus in it? I am really confused as to what I should do .....If I were to do bare bottom, would it be more acceptable to keep the larger number in that size tank? Should I leave it planted and just get more discus and keep up feeding and water changes? I really like the plants and the discus....
 
If you want to do discus and a planted tank, get adult discus. If they are fully grown, they won't stunt, and will be able to cope with the higher TDS much better. Small discus can be very fragile. I wouldn't recommend getting 6 discus in a 29 unless you want to go all out. A larger tank would definitely be recommended. You could do 4 in the 29, but will really have to stay up on your water changes. 50% twice a week at least.
 
Ok, so If I want to keep going with the stunted ones in the planted tank, I need to get cranking on the water changes? And would adding beef heart to there diet instead of just blood worms help? As for more discus, if I get two more babies and put them in the planted, would it be ok as long as I do the water changes and feed them right?
 
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