Discus question

[indica09]

I have 6 discus that to me appear all healthy except for one thing. There are 3 of them that randomly throughout the day will scratch against a plant leaf or the corner of my overflow as if they have ich. I see no white spot or anything else wrong with them. They are all very active and colorful, come right up to me when I approach the tank. All of them eat very well.

Any ideas?


Here's what I have: 120 gallon with a built in overflow and a wet dry filter below. Using a prefilter media sponge and bioballs no carbon. Also using a UV sterilizer. I do 45 gallon water changes once a week using RO water with the deionized filter. I test my water randomly and there are no nitrates or amonia.

PH 6.2
temp 84

[indica09]

Additional information....

Had them for about 4 months. 1 month after having them 2 of them appeared to have internal parasites so I used the Parasite clear tabs 2 times. Ever since then the 2 have rejoined the rest and are now eating more and growing more.

The scratching has been going on ever since they got comfortable in my tank.

[Spardas]

They probably have flukes.

Prazi based medicine is a mild treatment for fluke and will work if used correctly.

[indica09]

OK so I have the jungle labs parasite clear says it treats fluke is that ok or should I use what you guys have recommended here.

Thanks

[Spardas]

It should be fine to use. One of the active ingredient in it is prazi anyway. Use it for at least 2 weeks.

[SpyderSpy6]

Turn your UV off... Not sure if you have to with Prazi based medications, but it wouldn't hurt.

[indica09]

I do think the UV is doing something to it so I will do that this time and continue treatment for the next 3 weeks.

Thanks for the help I will update in a few weeks. This is a great forum.

[SpyderSpy6]

Do you have the ability to quarantine the fish? I once did it using a bucket, but 1 of the 2 didn't make it so I never do that... but they did live for 2 weeks, and then the disaster hit :(

Just asking because you maybe able to save some money on the meds.

[indica09]

I do have a 20 gallon fresh that could be used but I am not concerned about the price of the meds. As long as the medication works that is all that matters to me.

The scraping appears to have gone away but 2 of them are still hiding and jump when I get near. Just going to continue dosing for another 2 weeks.

[jestep]

I would QT the fish in the 20. It's far more than just about cost of medication. There are so many uncontrollable factors when trying to medicate a large tank. Put them in the 20 with a bare bottom, and you can control the medication and observe the fish much easier.

[indica09]

I know that is more practical but I already started it and appears to be working on the 120 gallon. If I still have problems in a week or two then I will for sure use the 20 as a QT.

Thanks for the help.

[Cermet]

As per most experts that keep discus you do not change nearly enough water for healthy discus - a near 100% once a week and some change every day or a heavier change mid week is considered essential - a single 45 gal/week is way too little. No wonder you have had problems. (Very good pH.)


I have 6 discus that to me appear all healthy except for one thing. There are 3 of them that randomly throughout the day will scratch against a plant leaf or the corner of my overflow as if they have ich. I see no white spot or anything else wrong with them. They are all very active and colorful, come right up to me when I approach the tank. All of them eat very well.

Any ideas?


Here's what I have: 120 gallon with a built in overflow and a wet dry filter below. Using a prefilter media sponge and bioballs no carbon. Also using a UV sterilizer. I do 45 gallon water changes once a week using RO water with the deionized filter. I test my water randomly and there are no nitrates or amonia.

PH 6.2
temp 84

[indica09]

They were doing that since day 1. The flukes came with them. I was concerned about doing larger water changes and more often but after reading what you said I will do them more often. I have noticed every time I do a water change they are happier for the next few days so def makes sense.

The tabs appeared to work and I will continue to do more water changes. Thank you all for the help.

[Cermet]

Good luck with treating the flukes and let us know how that goes and what you did. Yeah, my discus too love the large WC (but aren't thrilled when the tank gets very, very low for the 90% chnage) but the extra work is well worth it - they really do better. I have a drain line and water source built in right next to the tank so it isn't too big of a problem for WC.:22:

They were doing that since day 1. The flukes came with them. I was concerned about doing larger water changes and more often but after reading what you said I will do them more often. I have noticed every time I do a water change they are happier for the next few days so def makes sense.

The tabs appeared to work and I will continue to do more water changes. Thank you all for the help.