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My Discus breeding pair seems stressed in their 55-gallon tank. Water params are good, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 10 nitrate, pH 6.8, temp 84F. They're in a planted tank with driftwood, sand substrate, and a Fluval 307 canister filter. I do 30% water changes twice a week. Any ideas why they're not spawning?

Yo, maybe they just ain't feelin' the vibe. Try bumpin' the temp to 86F and cut the lights for a few days. Sometimes they just need a lil' privacy, ya know? My pair chilled out when I added more floating plants.

I'd check the water hardness too. Discus prefer softer water for breeding, so if your GH is above 4, that could be the issue. Also, are they eating well? A diet with beef heart or live blackworms can help trigger spawning behavior.

I've heard some folks say that Discus can be picky about their tankmates. Are there other fish in there? Maybe they're getting distracted or stressed by them. My pair didn't spawn until I moved them to a species-only tank.

Hawk wrote: ↑Fri Aug 22, 2025 3:04 pm Yo, maybe they just ain't feelin' the vibe. Try bumpin' the temp to 86F and cut the lights for a few days. Sometimes they just need a lil' privacy, ya know? My pair chilled out when I added more floating plants.

Thanks for the tip. I'll try raising the temp and adding some more floating plants. They're currently alone in the tank, so no tankmate issues.

Haven wrote: ↑Fri Aug 22, 2025 5:58 pm I've heard some folks say that Discus can be picky about their tankmates. Are there other fish in there? Maybe they're getting distracted or stressed by them. My pair didn't spawn until I moved them to a species-only tank.

That's a good point. Even if they're alone, sometimes the flow from the filter can be too strong. Try reducing the flow or adding a sponge to diffuse it. Discus prefer calm water for breeding.

Yep, too much flow can mess with their mojo. I run my canister at like 50% when my pair is tryna spawn. Also, make sure they're gettin' plenty of protein. Frozen bloodworms or brine shrimp can help get them in the mood.

Another thing to consider is the lighting schedule. I've had success with a consistent 12-hour light cycle. Too much or too little light can throw them off. Also, are you using RO water? That might help if your tap water is too hard.

Hawk wrote: ↑Fri Aug 22, 2025 10:19 pm Yep, too much flow can mess with their mojo. I run my canister at like 50% when my pair is tryna spawn. Also, make sure they're gettin' plenty of protein. Frozen bloodworms or brine shrimp can help get them in the mood.

Agreed on the protein. A varied diet is key. I alternate between beef heart, frozen foods, and high-quality pellets. It keeps them healthy and ready to breed.