Who Gives A Fish Forums

I'm still stumped about my checkerboard discus. Five weeks ago, I posted about her loss of appetite, and after treating her for hexamita and worms, I thought for sure she'd be back to normal by now. But nope, she's still not eating, just hiding in the corner of the tank most of the time. She'll swim around with the others occasionally, but as soon as it's feeding time, she's back to hiding. I figured maybe she's stressed with the other fish growing so well since I got them seven weeks ago, so I tried separating her from the rest with a screen. Didn't work - she just hid in the corner all day, resting on the bar by the outtake tube.

I took the separator out tonight, and you know what? She swam right back to the others, and they all seemed to welcome her back with open fins. I gave them a snack, but she still didn't touch it. All she does is nibble on the plant leaves. I've added vitamins to the tank, and the temperature's set at 87 degrees - what more can I do?

She just looks so sad all the time. I'm wondering if discus can get separation anxiety or if she's still sick with something. She's 3 1/2" and hasn't grown an inch since I got her - the others are already 4 1/2" to 5". If I ask the breeder to exchange her for a new fish that actually eats, will that just cause more problems in the tank? Any discus experts out there have some advice?

Re: Could My Checkerbaord Be Mentally Depressed?

I'm curious about the wormer you used on your checkerboard - what was the medication, dosage, and length of treatment? I've had my fair share of dealing with Discus, and while I don't think they get depressed like we do, it's clear something's off with your girl.

Re: Could My Checkerbaord Be Mentally Depressed?

Liz,
I'm reaching out again after our helpful conversation on "Is it safe to add medicine after Using Salt". I followed the treatment with metro in the QT tank for two weeks, but Checkers didn't show any improvement. When the PH crashed, I moved her to the 65 gallon tank and started treatment with absolute wormer. A day after the first dose, Iminet chimed in and thought everything was fine, so I stopped medicating and focused on regular water changes.

Now, I've got some observations to share: Checkers isn't eating, she hides in the corner most of the time, and she's still pale and not growing - only nibbling on plant leaves. On the other hand, she gets along with the other fish, and they'll swim close to her sometimes. They don't seem aggressive towards her; it's like a normal family with one child who won't eat. I've tried different pellet foods, but none of the fish are interested. If all the fish had worms or parasites, wouldn't I see other signs? My marlboro red is also small and not growing as much as the others, but she eats fine.

I'm at a loss, which is why I'm wondering if Checkers could be depressed. How do you even cheer a discus fish up? Maybe another checkerboard to play with? But since none of the other fish seem to be suffering, could Iminet be right - some fish just won't grow? If you think there's a medical reason for her not eating, please help!