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why won't my discus pair bond?
Posted: Tue May 06, 2025 5:38 am
by Jumper
My discus have been in the same tank for months, but they just won't pair up. Water params are good, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, nitrate around 10 ppm. Tank is 75 gallons, temp at 84°F, with a canister filter and sand substrate. They're about 5 inches each, fed twice daily with a mix of flakes, pellets, and frozen bloodworms. Any ideas what's up?
Re: why won't my discus pair bond?
Posted: Tue May 06, 2025 6:48 am
by bloom
Sometimes it's just a matter of time. Are they showing any signs of aggression or ignoring each other? My pair took almost a year to bond. Also, try upping the protein in their diet, like adding beef heart. It can help trigger breeding behavior.
Re: why won't my discus pair bond?
Posted: Tue May 06, 2025 7:15 am
by luxe
Jumper wrote: ↑Tue May 06, 2025 5:38 am
My discus have been in the same tank for months, but they just won't pair up. Water params are good, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, nitrate around 10 ppm. Tank is 75 gallons, temp at 84°F, with a canister filter and sand substrate. They're about 5 inches each, fed twice daily with a mix of flakes, pellets, and frozen bloodworms. Any ideas what's up?
Honestly, your setup sounds solid. Maybe try rearranging the decor to reset their territory. Sometimes a fresh layout can spark new behavior. Also, check if one's dominant—could be a weird vibe between them.
Re: why won't my discus pair bond?
Posted: Tue May 06, 2025 8:48 am
by Aidsy
Yo, my discus were the same till I cranked the temp to 86°F. They got all lovey-dovey after that. Maybe give it a shot? Also, dim the lights a bit, makes 'em feel safer.
Re: why won't my discus pair bond?
Posted: Tue May 06, 2025 8:56 am
by elixir
How many other fish are in the tank? Overcrowding can stress them out and prevent bonding. If it's just the two, maybe add a few dither fish to reduce tension.
Re: why won't my discus pair bond?
Posted: Tue May 06, 2025 10:13 am
by chippy
I've heard discus can be picky about partners. Maybe they're just not into each other. Have you considered swapping one out for a different individual?
Re: why won't my discus pair bond?
Posted: Tue May 06, 2025 11:25 am
by FairyFish
Try adding some tall plants like Amazon swords or valisneria. It gives them places to hide and feel secure, which can encourage pairing behavior.
Re: why won't my discus pair bond?
Posted: Tue May 06, 2025 12:19 pm
by julian
bloom wrote: ↑Tue May 06, 2025 6:48 am
Sometimes it's just a matter of time. Are they showing any signs of aggression or ignoring each other? My pair took almost a year to bond. Also, try upping the protein in their diet, like adding beef heart. It can help trigger breeding behavior.
Yep, beef heart is a game-changer. Mine went from ignoring each other to full-on courtship dances after a week of it. Also, check your water hardness—soft water can help.
Re: why won't my discus pair bond?
Posted: Tue May 06, 2025 1:49 pm
by abbeytone
It might be worth checking for parasites or internal issues. Sometimes fish won't pair if they're not feeling 100%. A round of general cure couldn't hurt.
Re: why won't my discus pair bond?
Posted: Tue May 06, 2025 2:22 pm
by Jumper
Thanks for all the advice, everyone. Gonna try the temp bump and beef heart first. Will update if anything changes.