why discus nip at tank decor?

[WiseLynx]

Noticed my Discus keep nipping at the driftwood and plants. Tank's a 75 gallon, temp at 84F, pH 6.5. They're about 4 inches, fed twice daily with frozen bloodworms and flakes. Filter's a Fluval 407, weekly 30% water changes. Anyone know why they're messing with the decor?

[fixin]

Could be a few things. First, check if they're actually nipping or just grazing. Discus sometimes pick at biofilm on surfaces. If it's aggressive nipping, might be territorial behavior, especially if you've got males. What's your tankmate situation? Also, how's the lighting? Too bright can stress them out.

[boldo]

Could be a few things. First, check if they're actually nipping or just grazing. Discus sometimes pick at biofilm on surfaces. If it's aggressive nipping, might be territorial behavior, especially if you've got males. What's your tankmate situation? Also, how's the lighting? Too bright can stress them out.

Yep, agree with fixin. My Discus did this when I had too much light. Switched to dimmer LEDs and they chilled out. Also, how often do you clean the decor? Biofilm builds up fast.

[tigercub]

Mine do this too. 55 gallon, sand substrate, lots of java fern. They seem to like picking at the leaves. Water's at 82F, pH 6.8. I thought it was weird but they're healthy otherwise. Maybe it's just a habit?

[Luckyo]

Gonna throw in my two cents. Had the same issue till I added more hiding spots. They might feel exposed. Try some tall plants or caves. My crew stopped nipping once they had more cover. Tank's a 90 gallon with a canister filter, temp 83F.

[Suntech]

It's likely environmental. Discus are sensitive to changes. Have you introduced anything new lately? Decor, tankmates, or even food? My group acted up when I switched from flakes to pellets. Took them a week to settle.

[Lavent]

Honestly, might just be boredom. These fish are smarter than we think. Try rearranging the decor or adding floating plants. My Discus love playing in the roots. Also, what's your water change routine? Dirty water can make them antsy.

[Spark]

Mine nip at the sponge filter sometimes. Weird vibe, but they're healthy. Tank's a 60 gallon, temp 82F, pH 6.6. Maybe it's just their thing? As long as they're eating and coloring up, I wouldn't stress.

[gett246]

Honestly, might just be boredom. These fish are smarter than we think. Try rearranging the decor or adding floating plants. My Discus love playing in the roots. Also, what's your water change routine? Dirty water can make them antsy.

Boredom's a big factor. I rotate decor every few weeks to keep things fresh. Also, consider adding a slow current with a powerhead. My Discus seem more engaged with a gentle flow.

[mistysea]

Could be a sign of spawning behavior. My pair nips at surfaces before laying eggs. Tank's a 75 gallon, temp 85F, lots of driftwood. They're picky about cleaning the spot first. Might be worth checking if they're pairing up.