It's finally happening

[mikero]

After months of waiting, my discus pair just laid eggs on the driftwood. I've got a 75 gallon tank, pH 6.8, temp at 84°F, and a sponge filter running. Any tips to maximize fry survival? First time breeding discus, kinda nervous.

[Riverman]

Congrats! That's awesome. Keep the water pristine, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, and nitrates under 10 ppm. I'd recommend daily 10% water changes with RO water. Also, feed the parents high-protein foods like beef heart to keep them strong. They'll likely guard the eggs fiercely.

[LyraFusion]

Yep, Riverman nailed it. I'd add that you might wanna dim the lights a bit, discus fry can be skittish. Also, if the parents get stressed, they might eat the eggs, so try not to hover too much. Chill vibes only, lol.

[kaidon]

If the eggs hatch, the fry will feed off the parents' slime coat for the first few days. After that, you can start with freshly hatched brine shrimp. Make sure the tank has plenty of hiding spots, like java moss or small caves.

[dramion]

Dude, this is so exciting! My discus laid eggs once, but my clown loaches were like 'nope' and ate 'em all. Maybe keep an eye on tankmates if you've got any sketchy characters in there. Good luck!

[folknet]

I've had success with adding a bit of almond leaf extract to mimic their natural habitat. It's also antifungal, which helps with egg health. Just don't overdo it, or the water'll get too dark.

[turbokid]

Congrats! That's awesome. Keep the water pristine, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, and nitrates under 10 ppm. I'd recommend daily 10% water changes with RO water. Also, feed the parents high-protein foods like beef heart to keep them strong. They'll likely guard the eggs fiercely.

This is key. I'd also test the water twice a day if you can. Discus are super sensitive to changes, especially during breeding.

[luminon]

If the parents are first-timers, don't be surprised if they mess up. My pair ate their first two clutches before getting it right. Just keep conditions stable, and they'll figure it out.

[juloxy]

I disagree with the RO water suggestion. Unless your tap water is terrible, it's unnecessary. Just age it for 24 hours to off-gas chlorine. Stability matters more than chasing 'perfect' params.

[mikero]

Thanks for all the advice, everyone. Gonna stick with aged tap water, up the water changes, and keep the lights low. Fingers crossed!