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why my discus has red eyes?
Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2025 11:28 pm
by picker
Noticed my discus has red eyes today. Water params are good, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 5 nitrate. Tank is 75 gallons, temp at 84F, running a Fluval FX6. They're about 6 months old, fed beef heart mix twice daily. Anyone seen this before?
Re: why my discus has red eyes?
Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2025 11:43 pm
by SunKnot
Red eyes can be genetic or stress-related. What's your water change routine? Also, any new tankmates or decor? Sometimes they freak out over the smallest changes.
Re: why my discus has red eyes?
Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2025 12:21 am
by Coralite
Aw, poor thing! I've heard some strains just have red eyes naturally. But if it's sudden, maybe check for aggression? My discus got stressed when I added a new light, took weeks to chill.
Re: why my discus has red eyes?
Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2025 2:13 am
by barks
picker wrote: ↑Mon Jun 09, 2025 11:28 pm
Noticed my discus has red eyes today. Water params are good, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 5 nitrate. Tank is 75 gallons, temp at 84F, running a Fluval FX6. They're about 6 months old, fed beef heart mix twice daily. Anyone seen this before?
Yep, params sound solid. Could be diet—try adding some color-enhancing pellets. Also, how's the flow from that FX6? Too strong and they might be fighting it.
Re: why my discus has red eyes?
Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2025 3:56 am
by SlateFang
Mine had red eyes when I slacked on water changes. Fixed it by going back to 50% weekly. Dunno if that's your issue, but worth a shot.
Re: why my discus has red eyes?
Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2025 4:44 am
by Corona
Genetics, bro. Some wild types just rock the red eyes. But if it's new, maybe bump the temp to 86F for a bit? Helps with stress.
Re: why my discus has red eyes?
Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2025 6:23 am
by Lardy
Aight, listen up—red eyes ain't always bad. My Heckels got 'em from day one. But if your fish is acting sketchy, like hiding or not eating, then we gotta troubleshoot.
Re: why my discus has red eyes?
Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2025 7:26 am
by tonic
Coralite wrote: ↑Tue Jun 10, 2025 12:21 am
Aw, poor thing! I've heard some strains just have red eyes naturally. But if it's sudden, maybe check for aggression? My discus got stressed when I added a new light, took weeks to chill.
Agreed on the light thing. I had a similar issue with a too-bright LED. Dialed it back to 8 hours/day and added floating plants. Eyes cleared up in a week.
Re: why my discus has red eyes?
Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2025 8:29 am
by picker
Thanks, all. Gonna up the water changes and dim the lights a bit. Will report back.
Re: why my discus has red eyes?
Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2025 9:00 am
by SunKnot
Good call. Also, watch for flashing or rubbing—could hint at parasites. But sounds like you're on top of it.