Sick Discus

[tled6448]

I just bought brand new discus and added them to my aquarium. I have 1 corydora catfish, 1 german blue ram, and 3 discus. I had 2 corys but one of them died. The fish seem to be at the top of the aquarium gasping for air. I'm going to add some air stones to the aquarium to see if their is just low levels of oxygen in the tank. I'm not sure why they are acting this way because they were fine yesterday when I added them. I might also try a 25% water change. They also act sluggish and stay in the corner of the aquarium. Can someone please help me.
Thanks.

 

[rabbut]

Could you post water stats for;

Ammonia
NitrIte
NitrAte
pH

please? Preferably, could you give numerical results and test with a liquid regent test kit.

How long has the tank been running?

How did you go about acclimatising them?

Can you see any excess slime, flicking or rubbing going on?

When we have answers to those questions, we can think about offering advice, but there isn't enough information in your post at this moment to do so

All the best
Rabbut

 

[tled6448]

They seem to be doing better now. I added a bubble stone in the tank because I thought the oxygen levels where low and now they are acting way better. They now puff there fins up and show color and swim through the tank. My ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite levels are perfect. The ph is 6.3. The tank has been cycled and running for a pretty long time.There is no signs of disease. I was just worrying now that the discus may show signs later on due to the move from place to place. One of them isn't acting to happy though. He has his fins clamped and doesn't flare them out. Do you have any suggestions to keeping them from getting sick? Maybe add stress coat to the aquarium?

 

[rabbut]

That pH is very low. If it is Asian bred stock you have, you'll actually want to pull that up, as they don't like a lower pH IME... If it's wild or German stock though, that pH is spot on. For locally bred stock, you should be aiming to use just tap water unless the breeder messes about with RO e.t.c...

I know you said your readings are fine, but could you just run them by us numerically please?

For disease prevention, it's just follow the guidelines. As you will know from your research (assuming you did enough research before purchase to give this advanced species a good go that it) keeping the water warm will help, as will regular large water changes. You'll also know you need at least two more Discus before they get too settled, or they will literally start killing each other...

All the best
Rabbut