best discus tank feeding amount

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bigDiscus
Posts: 13
Joined: Sat Jun 08, 2024 7:32 pm

best discus tank feeding amount

Post by bigDiscus »

I've got a 75 gallon tank with 6 adult Discus, been feeding them twice a day with frozen bloodworms and flakes. They seem fine, but I'm wondering if I should cut it back or up the amount. Water params are good, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, nitrate around 10 ppm. Tankmates are 10 neon tetras and a pair of German Blue Rams. Filter is a Fluval 407, temp at 84°F. Substrate is sand with some driftwood and Java ferns. Anyone got tips?
Buddy
Posts: 12
Joined: Thu Jan 27, 2022 12:54 am

Re: best discus tank feeding amount

Post by Buddy »

Twice a day sounds solid for adults, but you might wanna mix in some beef heart or pellets for variety. I feed mine three times a day, but smaller portions. Key is watching their bellies, they should look slightly rounded after eating, not bloated. My tank's similar, 80 gallons with 8 Discus, and I do 50% water changes twice a week. What's your WC schedule?
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jellybelly
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Joined: Tue Apr 19, 2022 8:22 am

Re: best discus tank feeding amount

Post by jellybelly »

Buddy wrote: Wed Aug 13, 2025 3:06 pm Twice a day sounds solid for adults, but you might wanna mix in some beef heart or pellets for variety. I feed mine three times a day, but smaller portions. Key is watching their bellies, they should look slightly rounded after eating, not bloated. My tank's similar, 80 gallons with 8 Discus, and I do 50% water changes twice a week. What's your WC schedule?
I agree with Buddy, variety's huge. I alternate between frozen brine shrimp, pellets, and beef heart. My Discus are way more active since I switched it up. Also, water changes are crucial, I do 30% every three days in my 55 gallon.
Dock
Posts: 13
Joined: Sat Oct 01, 2022 9:06 pm

Re: best discus tank feeding amount

Post by Dock »

I'd stick with twice a day but add more protein. Beef heart's great, but don't overdo it, can mess with water quality. My 90 gallon's got 7 Discus, and I feed a mix of flakes, frozen, and live blackworms. Temp's at 86°F, and I run a canister filter with a UV sterilizer. How old are your fish? Juveniles need more frequent feedings.
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FishNe
Posts: 142
Joined: Fri Feb 18, 2022 8:33 pm

Re: best discus tank feeding amount

Post by FishNe »

Honestly, I've had weird vibes with beef heart, it's messy as heck. I stick to high-quality pellets and frozen daphnia. My 60 gallon's got 5 Discus, and I feed three times a day but tiny amounts. Nitrates stay under 20 ppm with weekly 40% changes. You got any plants in there? Mine love hanging out in the Amazon swords.
Skyline
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Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 6:08 pm

Re: best discus tank feeding amount

Post by Skyline »

Yo, cut the flakes, they're sketchy for Discus. Go full frozen or live, way better. I do bloodworms in the AM, brine shrimp at night. Tank's a 100 gallon with 10 Discus, and I blast the temp to 88°F. Filter's a beast, FX6, and I change 50% water every week. Substrate's bare bottom, easier to clean.
bigDiscus
Posts: 13
Joined: Sat Jun 08, 2024 7:32 pm

Re: best discus tank feeding amount

Post by bigDiscus »

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I'll try adding beef heart and cutting back on flakes. My WC schedule's 30% twice a week, but I might bump it up. Fish are around 2 years old, so not juveniles anymore. Appreciate the tips!
Ace
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Joined: Sun Dec 24, 2023 4:56 am

Re: best discus tank feeding amount

Post by Ace »

Sounds like you're on the right track. I feed mine twice a day too, mostly pellets and frozen. Tank's 75 gallons, 6 Discus, temp at 85°F. I do 25% water changes weekly, but my nitrates are always low. Maybe I'm underfeeding?
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Blossp
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Joined: Thu Mar 24, 2022 10:41 am

Re: best discus tank feeding amount

Post by Blossp »

Ace wrote: Wed Aug 13, 2025 10:49 pm Sounds like you're on the right track. I feed mine twice a day too, mostly pellets and frozen. Tank's 75 gallons, 6 Discus, temp at 85°F. I do 25% water changes weekly, but my nitrates are always low. Maybe I'm underfeeding?
If nitrates are low, you're probably fine. Some Discus just don't eat as much. Mine are picky, I have to rotate foods constantly. 75 gallon here too, with 5 Discus and a school of rummynose tetras. Temp's at 84°F, and I use a sponge filter alongside a canister.
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Sunnyday
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Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 4:04 am

Re: best discus tank feeding amount

Post by Sunnyday »

I'd say watch their behavior more than the clock. If they're active and not skinny, you're good. My 65 gallon's got 4 Discus, and I feed a mix of frozen, pellets, and live worms. Temp's at 85°F, and I do 40% water changes weekly. Substrate's pool filter sand, easy to clean.
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