Who Gives A Fish Forums

My discus have been acting weird lately, like they're stressed but water params are good, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 10 nitrate. Tank's a 75 gallon with sand substrate, planted with Amazon swords and Java fern. Running a Fluval 407, temp at 84F. Any ideas what's up?

How often are you doing water changes? Discus are super sensitive to buildup even if params look fine. I'd bump it to 50% twice a week for a bit, see if they chill.

Mine did that once when I switched their food. What are you feeding them? Maybe try mixing in some frozen bloodworms if you're not already.

JaydenBay wrote: ↑Wed Jul 09, 2025 8:29 am How often are you doing water changes? Discus are super sensitive to buildup even if params look fine. I'd bump it to 50% twice a week for a bit, see if they chill.

Yeah, I've been doing 30% weekly. Gonna try upping it like you said. Thanks.

finmaster5 wrote: ↑Wed Jul 09, 2025 8:38 am Mine did that once when I switched their food. What are you feeding them? Maybe try mixing in some frozen bloodworms if you're not already.

Solid point. Also check if your tap water changed. Sometimes municipalities tweak stuff seasonally. My discus freaked out last winter when they added extra chloramine.

No prob. Let us know how it goes. My money's on the water changes though, discus are such divas about cleanliness.

For real. I keep mine in bare bottoms now just to cut the maintenance hassle. Plants look nice but sand traps so much gunk.