Discus Emergency

[Fish_addict]

Hi. I am really desperate for some help... my discus were fine happy and eating and are only fairly small... I started a sterazin waterlife treatment as i was told discus get worms so worm 2 times yearly. I was up to my day 6 dose all was ok. I woke up this morning and one of my discus was at the bottom of the tank. It is swimming like it has vertigo, it is a pinkish colour at the gills and breathing through them only little through its mouth. It goes to the top for air and otherwise comes to the front of the tank and rests on a plant to watch me... water checks ph good amonia and nitrate etc all spot on... there is another discus it is eating and in perfect health though upset about its mate. I have 3ft tank, air bubbles, external filter, 2 rams, white fin ornate neons, cory dory , whiptails and a albino bristlenose and clown loaches. all other fish in perfect health... Could it have had parasites and not handling them being treated?? due for day 8 dose of sterazin tomorrow ... i am scared that when i wake up it will be dead ...anyone any ideas pls.. i do love this one so much

 

[DevotedToDiscus]

First action would be a 50% water change. Also I personally would not recommend treating your fish with meds when they are not sick. It is correct that Discus are susceptible to parasites, but if they are healthy then no need to concern yourself with it. Discus parasites effect their digestive system and generally start by curbing their appetite leading to weight loss. It is not so dramatic, and generally easy to treat. IMO stop the sterazin, change the water and leave the guy to be as calm as possible. Then let's see how he is in 24-48 hours, and decide the next course of action(if required)

 

[Fish_addict]

First action would be a 50% water change. Also I personally would not recommend treating your fish with meds when they are not sick. It is correct that Discus are susceptible to parasites, but if they are healthy then no need to concern yourself with it. Discus parasites effect their digestive system and generally start by curbing their appetite leading to weight loss. It is not so dramatic, and generally easy to treat. IMO stop the sterazin, change the water and leave the guy to be as calm as possible. Then let's see how he is in 24-48 hours, and decide the next course of action(if required)

Thank you so much . I appreciate your help.. I did the sterazing as i saw like a white thin poo coming from one of my clown loaches... I did a 25 % water change this morning, I will do a 50% in the morning and stop the sterazin.. there was a smell in the tank that wasnt nice but that has gone now...crossing fingers and praying for the best. so cute its friend is staying by its side wherever it goes.

 

[DevotedToDiscus]

If you want to treat internal parasites, you are best to use metronidazole added to their food, and even then I would use it as a last resort. What are you feeding your Discus? As a good diet alone is normally enough to keep the parasites at bay.

 

[Fish_addict]

If you want to treat internal parasites, you are best to use metronidazole added to their food, and even then I would use it as a last resort. What are you feeding your Discus? As a good diet alone is normally enough to keep the parasites at bay.

The one who is sick will only eat live worm through a worm feeder, it has always had a problem with putting its mouth up to the top of the water to feed and also put its head down to eat from the bottom.. its a bit fussy and wont even eat frozen worm or brine shrimp. I had not given it worms for a couple of days trying to train it to eat discus flakes(I udsually buy spectrum but brought a new one that seemed to have heaps more in it - Ocean nutrition its called) and also pellets but it wont go near them. So i ran out and bought it some worms today but it didnt eat. My other discus eats everything.

 

[DevotedToDiscus]

Just like anyone who is sick he won't want to feed just now. Blood worms are always good for them. Frozen Brineshrimp will have lost most of their nutrition through the freezing process. Making your own Beef heart mix is the way to go. Adding garlic paste to the mix will help keep the parasites at bay. There are any number of recipes on the net, or I can send you mine. One beef heat will likely last you months and months, so is good value.

 

[Fish_addict]

Thank you very much for your input. The beef is too high protein for my other fish i lost my ram when i tried it... My discus died this morning, it fought very hard to stay. It was doing donuts a lot and from the beginning when i got it it could not put its mouth up to the top of the tank to feed or go head down to feed off the bottom it could only feed in the water. My friend looked it up in the disease book and thinks it had its own problem when i brought it, it was just weird it died so fast but in a way i am glad it did as i sat for hours talking to it and it tried to stay on a plant where it could have eye contact with me... the other one never really connected with me only its friend and now it is so sad.. way too heartbreaking having fish at least a cat or dog usually last 10 years or more... thanks again.

 

[DevotedToDiscus]

So sorry to hear that. While Discus are beautiful fish they can also be a little fickle at times. They are not the easiest fish to keep, so don't be too down hearted about losing the fella. I hope the other fish will all be fine.