Who Gives A Fish Forums

My Discus have been hiding behind the plants all day. Water params are good, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, nitrate at 10 ppm. Tank is 75 gallons, temp at 84°F, with a Fluval FX6 filter. They're about 4 inches, fed twice daily with frozen bloodworms and pellets. Any ideas why they're so shy?

Could be stress, bro. Check if the lighting's too bright or if there's too much activity around the tank. My guys did the same thing when I moved the furniture around. Maybe add some floating plants to dim the light a bit.

I've seen this behavior before. It's often due to recent changes in the tank. Did you add new fish or rearrange decor? Also, what's the pH and hardness? Discus can be sensitive to sudden shifts in water chemistry.

blueguy wrote: ↑Mon Jul 21, 2025 1:11 pm I've seen this behavior before. It's often due to recent changes in the tank. Did you add new fish or rearrange decor? Also, what's the pH and hardness? Discus can be sensitive to sudden shifts in water chemistry.

That's a good point. I'd also check for any aggressive tankmates. Even small fish can stress Discus if they're nippy.

How long have they been in this tank? New arrivals often hide until they feel safe. If it's been less than a week, give them time. Keep the water pristine and avoid sudden movements near the tank.

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone. I'll try dimming the lights and monitoring for any aggressive behavior. The pH is 6.8, hardness is 3 dGH. No recent changes except a water change two days ago.

Water changes can sometimes spook them if the new water isn't matched perfectly. Did you check the temp and pH of the new water before adding it? Even a small difference can make them skittish.

Yo, my Discus did this too when I switched to a new heater. Took 'em a few days to chill. Maybe check if your heater's working right? Also, what kinda plants you got? Some species make better hiding spots than others.

citySpin wrote: ↑Mon Jul 21, 2025 6:55 pm Yo, my Discus did this too when I switched to a new heater. Took 'em a few days to chill. Maybe check if your heater's working right? Also, what kinda plants you got? Some species make better hiding spots than others.

For real, man. My guys love the Amazon swords. Big leaves, lots of cover. If your plants are too sparse, they might not feel secure.

Or maybe they're just being drama queens. Discus are like that sometimes. Mine hide every time I wear a new shirt. Fish, am I right?