Who Gives A Fish Forums

Sounds like your water params are solid, but fry are super sensitive. How's the lighting? Too much stress can mess with them. Also, what's your filtration? Sponge filters are best for fry, less current.


Thanks for the tips. I'm using a canister filter but have the flow turned way down. Maybe I ...

My discus fry keep dying within a week, and I can't figure out why. Tank is 40 gallons, temp at 84F, pH 6.5, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, nitrate under 10ppm. I do 30% water changes daily, feed them baby brine shrimp 4 times a day. They start strong but then just fade. What am I missing?

If you're not already, use a liquid test kit. Strips can be way off. I thought mine was 20 ppm, but it was actually 40.

My cichlids destroyed everything I put in there until I tried floating plants like Frogbit. They don't bother those as much, and it gives the tank a cool look.

Substrate's personal preference, but sand's safer. My 60-gallon's bare except for a few river rocks, and the Discus are healthy but bored. Planning to add sand next month. Running a Rena Filstar XP3, temp at 83°F.

How old are the fry? If they're under 2 weeks, they might still be absorbing yolk sac energy. Overfeeding can crash water quality. Stick to small portions 4x a day. What's your ammonia reading? Even trace amounts can stall growth.


Good point. If they're newly free-swimming, cut feedings to 3x a ...

I've had success with fry in a 29-gallon, bare bottom for easy cleaning. Temp at 86°F seems to speed up their metabolism. Are you using RO water or tap? If tap, what conditioner? Some brands leave traces that stress fry.

My guys' feeding time - here's how it goes down: https://youtu.be/q1yyM1hifU0

Re: Heater for 5x2x2 feet barebottom aquarium

I've had good luck with this particular heater on my own 125-gallon discus tank - it maintains a steady temperature of 82F. Worth taking a look: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09NBB99ZC

Re: What makes my 125-gallon discus tank tick

Decided to share another update on my tank - call it the WOW effect. Check it out: https://youtu.be/lCjVJB7-DeM