What type of water do discus need?
Discus prefer warm, soft, acidic water. pH should be between 6.0 and 7.0, with hardness between 1° and 4° dKH (18 to 70 ppm). Temperature should be kept between 82° and 86° F, although wild Heckel discus prefer water near 90° F.
What is pigeon blood discus?
Pigeon Blood Discus are a selectively bred or man-made species of Discus that typically have a creamy yellowish to orange base color, highlighted by bright red eyes and trimmed off in black stripes and spots. Due to their popularity and the high price tag that they command, Discus are very popular with fish breeders.
Can discus live in hard water?
Wild Discus will require soft, slightly acidic water and generally the only way to achieve this is to use a reverse osmosis filter. European-bred Discus, however, are quite happy and will even breed in harder water – the reason being they have now been tank-bred over several generations and have adapted to it.
Where do discus fish live in the wild?
Discus fish are naturally found in the Amazon River region of South America. The natural habitat of these fish ranges from the Rio Putamayo in Colombia to the Rio Tocatins drainage in Brazil.
Can you keep a single discus?
Yes. They can be kept singly. Once in a blue moon, one Discus gives its owner no choice in the matter and insists on being alone. This is a very social fish so you lose out on seeing normal behaviors and the fish will want some other fish in the tank to dominate but otherwise lead long and (seemingly) happy lives.
Why do my discus keep dying?
There can be two main reasons for the same. Discus fish are sensitive to water conditions of the tank and can thus die if the conditions are not suitable. Overeating is another common cause of the death of discus fish.
How can I make my discus grow faster?
When you are feeding them frozen bloodworms and artemia, make sure you boil them first. After boiling the food, scatter small pieces of food across the aquarium so that any discus doesn’t have to struggle to eat the food. Young ones are to be fed every two hours. They grow more rapidly when they eat brine shrimps.
Why is my discus fighting?
There are many reasons why Discus could be fighting each other, they include poor conditions in the tank’s water, territory, malnutrition, breeding time, and overpopulation.
Is it normal for discus to fight?
As discus fish mature, the pecking order is usually established and the aggression is less prominent. This can change if an individual is added to the tropical fish aquarium, where the hierarchy may change. Fighting among tropical fish is normal to a certain degree. It helps strengthen the pair bond.
How do you know if discus is stressed?
If your fish is swimming frantically without going anywhere, crashing at the bottom of his tank, rubbing himself on gravel or rocks, or locking his fins at his side, he may be experiencing significant stress.
Why do discus swim up and down?
Discus fish swims up and down the tank when they are stressed, and that is an action meant to alleviate that stress. The pH level of the tank water might have shifted, or there is a build-up of ammonia or nitrites, or the temperature of the water could constantly be changing.
How do I fatten up my discus?
Clean water, and lots of food. Feed them 5-6 times a day. With that much feeding, you’ll need to do daily water changes, but they will gain weight quickly. Beefheart is good for this, but be sure to give them a varied diet.
How do I know if my discus is happy?
A healthy Discus should always be lively, should have their fins open, and curious about what’s going on inside the tank and… outside. It’s attention towards the exterior is a good sign. Of course, we’re talking about a “shy” fish so its curiosity will not ever be comparable with that of a carp, as an example.