Posted by Bladerunner on October 29, 2002 at 04:54:31:
Hi,
I have a major issue with some of my Discus that i hope you can advise on:-
I have 8 juvenile Discus in a 350l all around the 3.5" - 4" size.
2 Marlboro Reds
1 Pigeon Blood
2 Reds
3 Red Turq's
4 days ago, 2 of the Red Turqs went very dark in colour and became very shy..they have since stopped eating and have clamped fins but are continually flicking against plants and decor in the tank.
As an update, i returned from work last night to find pale milky patches on the sides of the fish with the lateral lines clearly visible and additional Discus are now showing the first symptoms by clamping one fin, flicking off decor and swimming at a 45 degree angle.
Additionally, 2 other Discus are now holding still basically looking down at the substrate...again at an angle of 45 degrees!!
I really am in need of some help on this one and would welcome any short term solutions that anyone can offer.
The latest (red turqs) Discus have been in around 2 months and up until a few days ago were fine.
The remaining Discus have been in around 3 months.
My water stats are:-
Amm - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 15ppm
PH - 7.2
GH - 13
KH - 9
temp - 86 degrees
Water - de-chlorinated tap water 15% change every 2 days with a third of the tank gravel vacumed per week.
I run Rowaphos & Polyfilter therefore my Phosphate level is undetectable.
Tank is a planted community Juwel Trigon 350 whose internal Jumbo filter is supplemented by an external Eheim Ecco 2231.
Had a further think about what might be a contributing factor and looking back, the only significant change that matches when the Discus started going downhill is switching water conditioners from API's Stress Coat to Waterlife's HALOEX...probably clutching at straws i presume?
My lfs has suggested that i dose with Waterlife's Octozin as this is a general Protozoa remedy and could stop the Discus flicking and remedy the situation.
Before i begin dosing, i would really like some opinions first.
Any advice would be greatly received.
Best Regards,
