jolliolli Posted August 16, 2007 Report Share Posted August 16, 2007 Hey guys, On Sunday i bought 2 discus, one red melon around 17cm incl tail and a marlboro red around 8 - 10cm. They went in to my discus tank where i have 3 other discus all around the 12 - 15cm mark plus various other fish. Both fish have settled in well, socialising with the others and not shy at all. The smaller discus is eating, however i've yet to get the big fella to eat, i've tried granules, blood worms, beef heart and flake. I've read that it can take a while for them to settle in and start eating after being moved to a new setup but just wondering how long before i start to worry about him not eating? Does anyone have any suggestions as to what i could entice him with? Previous owner said he was eating bloodworm, flake, beefheart. Water parameters are all good though the pH I suspect is a bit higher than his previous home ( i think he was in the 6.5ish, and now its around the 6.8 - 7 mark) plus its a little cooler, around the 26 degree mark rather than the 28 - 29 degrees in his previous home. Any advice appreciated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaza Posted August 16, 2007 Report Share Posted August 16, 2007 Hi I wouldnt worry too much , adult Discus can and often do go on hunger strikes while they settle in. They can go for weeks without eating. The best thing you can do is ensure that you keep the water changes up and not over feed. Garry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr pleco Posted August 16, 2007 Report Share Posted August 16, 2007 hunger strike yeah but three weeks is a bit long three days more like and you will prob find he will be eating justnot when yr looking ...id personally raise the temp to 28 29 unless yr trying to breed them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jolliolli Posted August 17, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 17, 2007 i had read that raising the temp might help but i was a little concerned for some of the other fish that they may not handle it esp neons, sterbai corys? its quite a contrast to my other discus which are so enthusiastic about any food even eating the poor BNs algae tablets! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BK Posted August 17, 2007 Report Share Posted August 17, 2007 Up temp to 30 and put some peat in. The Cory’s will be fine and when you do a water change (use cooler water say 26) they could breed which happens in my tank but the Discus wait for this to happen and have a good feed. Neon’s might be a problem they will last some time at this temp but will not be at there best. Aquaflavine can be used as a tonic as well to help them settle in (some Dutch breeders use this all the time). Like above they could be eating but not when you looking which is also common but you should still look to up the temp to 30 and add peat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petplanet Posted August 17, 2007 Report Share Posted August 17, 2007 You could try some Seachem Garlic Guard. GarlicGuardâ„¢ is an appetite/flavor enhancer for freshwater and saltwater fish. GarlicGuardâ„¢ will help renew the interest of poor or finicky eaters. GarlicGuardâ„¢ contains the naturally derived, active ingredient found in garlic, allicin, which has been demonstrated to possess health promoting benefits. Allicin possesses strong anti-oxidant properties (similar to Vitamin C) which promote enhanced health through elimination of dangerous free radicals. For enhanced health benefits, GarlicGuardâ„¢ also contains Vitamin C. Freshwater and Marine. Reef safe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freakyfish Posted August 17, 2007 Report Share Posted August 17, 2007 The Sterbais will not like the warmer water I lost them all when I rose my discus tank to 30 so now it sits little lower and I dont keep corys in there I would try them on live food try some live Black worms I found this is the easiest when new discus come into the shop Brad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jolliolli Posted August 17, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 17, 2007 not sure if we have black worms in chch, i've only ever seen bloodworms.. will have a look at the shop tomorrow, i still haven't seen him eat as yet, food falls in front of his face but he just ignores it, seems happy otherwise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dixon1990 Posted August 17, 2007 Report Share Posted August 17, 2007 Try feeding him small live fish fry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr pleco Posted August 17, 2007 Report Share Posted August 17, 2007 yep blood worms should work but dont rely on them as a regular feed they are about 90% water id ditch the neons and go cardinals yep they are dearer but a better fish and more suited to the water parameters feed yr fish and then sit quietly away and watch he will eat prob when he thinks yr gone fish feeding shows vunerability and he dosent know you that well yet ... just watch him if hes happy then usually he is watch for colouration change / gill colour and clamped fins these are usually signs of a fish in need of action i dont personally use chemicals unless absolutley necessary and this case dosent say so yet but its yr choice but what ever you do do it slowly and with much research you may be adding something that cures nothing but causes something else garlic does help prevent disease and infection and im sure theres a plant every five feet in the wild Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reef Posted August 17, 2007 Report Share Posted August 17, 2007 however i've yet to get the big fella to eat, i've tried granules, blood worms, beef heart and flake. I've read that it can take a while for them to settle in and start eating after being moved to a new setup but just wondering how long before i start to worry about him not eating? Does anyone have any suggestions as to what i could entice him with? Previous owner said he was eating bloodworm, flake, beefheart. I would take the discus out and put them in a bare bottom tank for a 1-2 weeks. Treat them with metro/prazzi. turn temp up to about 32C By doing this you can deworm the fish and make sure that they are all eating well . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharn Posted August 18, 2007 Report Share Posted August 18, 2007 garden worms go down a treat with my discus, might be worth a shot? Was he kept in a BB at his old home? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jolliolli Posted August 18, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 18, 2007 good idea sharn, i'll try some garden worms and see how that goes. I have been treating with prazi as a precaution. His previous home was a planted tank with other discus, and apart from not eating he seems fine, when i put the food in he swims up with the others for a look but then loses interest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anthony law Posted August 19, 2007 Report Share Posted August 19, 2007 ive got a discus that does the same.hes be like that from the first time i got he.ive had him four years now.he comes out went im feeding but does take the food when im near the tank.he wait intll im away form the tank.the other two discus eat out of my hand iv had them for a year now.may he just shy when you are near the tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jolliolli Posted August 22, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 22, 2007 well it only took 10 days but tonight for the first time i saw him actively going after bloodworm. I saw him eat at least 5 pieces so thats something, must be starting to feel hungry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.