Who Gives A Fish Forums

Anyone tried breeding Discus in a smaller tank? I've got a 29-gallon lying around and wanna give it a shot.


A 29-gallon can work for a single pair, but you'll need to be extra diligent with water changes. Daily 20% changes are a must, and keep the temp at 86°F. The smaller volume means params ...

Man, this sounds pricey. Could I just use a sponge filter and call it a day? My Discus are chill in the community tank, but I wanna try breeding 'em without breaking the bank.


Sponge filters work fine for breeding tanks, but you'll need two ($40 total) plus an air pump ($30). Just keep up with ...

Black's the way to go, no doubt. It's not just about looks, it's science. Dark backgrounds reduce stress hormones in Discus. I've got a 100 gallon with black background, CO2 injection, and a heavily planted setup. Water changes are 30% daily for juveniles, but you can cut it to 50% weekly for adults ...

Yes, definitely increase water changes to 50% daily while treating. Parasites thrive in dirty water. Also, consider adding a UV sterilizer to your FX6 if this keeps happening. What's your substrate? Bare bottom is easier to keep clean for discus.

White poop in discus is often a sign of internal parasites like hexamita or spironucleus. Have you noticed any other symptoms like loss of appetite, clamped fins, or weight loss? I'd recommend treating with Metroplex mixed into their food. Also, increase water changes to 50% daily for a week to ...

Aggression during feeding is common with discus, especially in crowded tanks. Your tank size is decent, but the angelfish might be adding stress. Try spreading the food across the tank to reduce competition. Also, consider feeding smaller amounts more frequently. What's your current feeding schedule?

First thing I'd check is the pellet expiration date. Old pellets lose their appeal. Also, try soaking them in garlic guard or vitachem for extra scent. What brand are you using? Some are just sketchy quality.

Dominance behavior is common in small groups. Ideally, you'd have at least 6 to spread aggression. Your water params sound solid, but make sure your filtration is robust. A 75-gallon should handle a bit more bioload if you decide to add another.

Nitrate tolerance depends on age. Juveniles need under 20 ppm for proper development. Adults can handle 30–40 ppm if other params are pristine. Test your tap—sometimes the source is the culprit. My tap's at 10 ppm, so I'm fighting an uphill battle with water changes alone.

Re: General Questions: Cross Contamination

I learned the hard way that it's better to be safe than sorry. Resist the temptation to cut corners when you're new to this. I recently lost 4 out of 5 discus I got from a supplier I'd used before. What led to the problems I saw isn't entirely clear, but ...