Discus Lying On Its Side - Please Help

[Hello32]

My discus is a red pegion discus, it is lying on its side, and is breathing. The water is fine, its been fed, and its been happy. We got him 2 days ago.
 
Whats wrong?

 

[techen]

What are your water stats, Numbers please.
 
Also, Do you use normal tank water or RO water for your discus?

 

[Hello32]

pH: 6.8
Chlorine: 0.8
Carbonation Hardness: 6
General Hardness: 16
NO2: 1
NO3: 2.5

 

[techen]

Okay, Why is NO2 1? That's not good waterstats, That's quite bad. Large waterchange, I'd say 60% of the water. You want rid of NO2.

 

[This Old Spouse]

And what's your ammonia reading? What is the temp of the tank? How long has the tank been set up? What type of test do you use?

 

[Electric Warrior]

Yeah really need more info: what size is the tank? What other fish are in the tank? How many discus do you have? Is your tank cycled, etc?

 

[Hello32]

And what's your ammonia reading? What is the temp of the tank? How long has the tank been set up? What type of test do you use?

Temp is 26.
Its a fairly new tank, about a month.

Yeah really need more info: what size is the tank? What other fish are in the tank? How many discus do you have? Is your tank cycled, etc?

1 discus, tank is 90 liters, yes it is.

 

[Electric Warrior]

Okay, first temp is too low! Discus should be in at least 28 really.

 

[This Old Spouse]

Did you cycle the filter prior to adding the fish? Did you acclimate the fish before putting it in the tank? Discus should be kept in a much warmer tank ...

 

[Electric Warrior]

Also a month old tank you say? I am assuming your tank was not fishless cycled?

 

[Hello32]

Did you cycle the filter prior to adding the fish? Did you acclimate the fish before putting it in the tank? Discus should be kept in a much warmer tank ...

Yeah we did

 

[This Old Spouse]

Start off by raising the temp to at least 28. Then check your ammonia levels. If you don't have a professional liquid test kit yet, best to get one so you can monitor the stats accurately.

 

[Hello32]

Start off by raising the temp to at least 28. Then check your ammonia levels. If you don't have a professional liquid test kit yet, best to get one so you can monitor the stats accurately.

Ok, I have other fish in the tank aswell. When we bought the discus, we were told 26 would be fine...

 

[Electric Warrior]

To be brutally honest with you, there are a few issues already. Discus can't really be in a 90l tank; it's too small 200l min I would say. I don't know how old your discus is, or how much you know about them, but if its not an adult, they need a LOT of work. Juvenile discus require lots if food, like 3-4 times a day at least, and daily water changes. They also need to be kept in groups or a mated pair. One discus on its own will not be happy, and if it doesn't die, it will get stunted or not last long. Honestly, you should try and take the fish back because you don't really have the proper set up for discus, and one alone will really not work. The LFS really did not give you good advice at all. Just my 2 cent.

 

[Hello32]

To be brutally honest with you, there are a few issues already. Discus can't really be in a 90l tank; it's too small 200l min I would say. I don't know how old your discus is, or how much you know about them, but if its not an adult, they need a LOT of work. Juvenile discus require lots if food, like 3-4 times a day at least, and daily water changes. They also need to be kept in groups or a mated pair. One discus on its own will not be happy, and if it doesn't die, it will get stunted or not last long. Honestly, you should try and take the fish back because you don't really have the proper set up for discus, and one alone will really not work. The LFS really did not give you good advice at all. Just my 2 cent.

Yes, I know. We are getting a 350 liter tank soon, so for nows its in a 90 liter...