Should I Treat My Discus?

[newfishaddict]

I have 5 discus in my new 90g tank with 15 neons. I will add a couple more discus soon and remove the neons, I know uderstand about keeping discus in a species only tank...

The tank is “cycledâ€￾. ammonia zero nitrite zero

Should I treat my discus with any meds if they seem fine? All have eaten blood worms, brine shimp, and a couple have even eaten flakes. I have read the many experienced discus keepers will treat their fish for worms ect, even when there are no signs of disease. I have a very effective deworming med call “levamisoleâ€￾, I used it to cure other fish of worms in the past…I also have metronidazole here too….

Ro system purchased but not used yet. My tap water is great for juvenille discus, I have checked all water paramaters via my own tests and mainly the lab tests provided by the city water co.

 

[annka5]

The general rule of not treating unless you have something to treat is a good one. The chances are that the fish have been treated for worms by the breeder, to be honest. And, as you've added them all at the same time, you don't need to worry so much about them passing parasites to others in the tank.
Personally, I wouldn't treat them. It's a good sign that they're eating etc so soon after the move.
Thing with worms is that you can have an infection but not really realise it; however if they are eating and you notice after a couple of weeks that they aren't growing /are getting thin, then I would definitely be inclined to treat them.
When/if you add more discus, you will need to quarantine the new ones.
I keep cardinals with my discus and never have any problems. They seem to calm them down if anything - when they start swimming about after a water change, the discus reckon it's safe and come out confidently too. Neons prefer lower temps though. And don't grow as big as cardinals.

 

[grayboy1]

I would treat them if I was you. I use Flunebol 15 (spelling correct??) everytime I aqquire new discus. Its not expensive, doesnt bother the fish but gives peace of mind.

 

[kev_kb]

I wouldn't take any kind of drug if I didn't have problems and I feel the same way about my fish. I've never treated my discus for worms and I haven't had a problem.

Discus do not need to be kept in a species only tank, you just need to be careful choosing tank mates. Your tetras shouldn't cause any problems.

Also think about feeding them a beefheart mix and pellet foods such as Tetra Prima and other specialist discus foods.

 

[newfishaddict]

Discus do not need to be kept in a species only tank, you just need to be careful choosing tank mates. Your tetras shouldn't cause any problems.

Also think about feeding them a beefheart mix and pellet foods such as Tetra Prima and other specialist discus foods.

My 15 neons eat any food I put in the tank before the discus can, UNLESS I feed the discus directly in their face....how do you deal with this?

 

[kev_kb]

I use sinking pellets, beef heart mix and large bloodworms mainly. My tetras will nibble them, but they are really too big for them to eat all of it quickly. While the tetras are busy chewing the discus clean up.

 

[annka5]

Yep, I just feed mine larger foods that the cardinals can't quite manage. Also, 15 neons shouldn't really be able to scoff there foodand all the food intended for 5 discus... I appreciate explaining these things to your neon's will be tricky...