Whats Wrong With My Discus

[mark2109111]

Hi my discus has recently become sick. It has not been eating well lately and has been showing its stress bars very prominantly. The water has a ph of 5.4 and kh of 1 degree. Both nitrates and nitrites are 0 or as close to zero as possible. Do any of you have any idea of what it could be ? Here is a before and after pic.

 

[ainsy]

Gosh that is some change - he's not a very happy bunny is he?

Has anything changed recently?

Have you noticed what his poop is like?

What temp do you keep them at?

 

[mark2109111]

Gosh that is some change - he's not a very happy bunny is he?

Has anything changed recently?

Have you noticed what his poop is like?

What temp do you keep them at?

Thanks for the reply, no i have not seen him poop lately. I am keeping my tank at 84 degrees. It is the female in a breeding pair. The male is in the same tank and looks fine. I just setup a 20 gallon high tank to treat her in. I plan to treat with methylene blue. And malachite green.

 

[ainsy]

Treatment plan.

Might be worth upping the temp to 86 or possibly a little higher to help with the stress.

Some also add a little marine aquarium salt (very temporarily - NO more than 5 days) at between 1 to 5gms per 10gal. I know some disagree with this but it was a recommendation I was given from a reliable source many years ago and has worked for me.

Let me know how you get on

 

[mark2109111]

The discus is starting to get better. It has lost some of its stress bars and is starting to eat. Hopefully will be in tip top shape by next week.

 

[ainsy]

That's great news!

 

[DevotedToDiscus]

Most likely internal parasites. They always carry them, but usually without trouble. If they get a little under the weather it can trigger the parasites to multiply and cause them to stop eating. Normally they will shake it off, if not mix some metronidazole with their food and feed it to them for 5 days. If she is perking up then hopefully she will be on the mend, and you won't need to do anything.

As Ainsy said, salt is always a safe help.

 

[DevotedToDiscus]

How is your girl? Hope she is on the mend.

 

[mark2109111]

Getting better every day. Im keeping my fingers crossed. Thanks for asking

 

[mark2109111]

Not the best pic but you can see how shes getting betters.

 

[ainsy]

That's a relief - looks much better than the last pic!

 

[mark2109111]

Sadly i woke up today to find the male red malboro that was in the fifty five dead. Time to rip the whole tank down and start over

 

[ainsy]

Oh no!

I am really sorry to hear that !

Were there any warning signs or was it a complete surprise?

 

[mark2109111]

Oh no!

I am really sorry to hear that !

Were there any warning signs or was it a complete surprise?

It started to show the signs of internal parasites in the main tank. so i quarenteined it and started to treat it. But this morning when i woke up it sadly passed. But on the brite side i am planning to take down my fifty five and completly rescape it and buy a group of six discus from discus hans this summer.

 

[ainsy]

Shame - but the plan sounds good! I have only heard good things about Discus Hans.