DiscusKeeper403

I have a 29g planted community, with assorted community fish. My Angels had paired up and bred two days ago, the eggs are now gone but during the past couple days the angels had gotten a little more aggressive with their tank mates, mainly guarding when other inhabitants got too close to their spawn. Once the eggs were gone the Angels went back to normal, but for some odd reason I now have a rogue platy that won't leave my angels alone. Literally 1/6th of their size and absolutely beating the crap out of them, the angels were backed into the back of the tank because of this guy and he was going after the swords in the tank as well. It got so bad I ended up sticking a divider in the tank and moving that platy away from the other fish. Has anyone ever heard of this happening? It seems so bizarre to me, and this only started after the Angels layed eggs before this there were no issues.

The breeder I buy from only breeds and sells what "he" considers "premium" discus.

Discus that are known to be hard to breed and have VERY unique qualities.

He does not breed or sell the red dragons (AKA: Red Pigeon Blood or Checkerboard Pigeon)

I can breeder size and age fish and have sold a 3 to one individual. from the 3 I sold a couple weeks ago, 2 paired off and have bred twice and the 3rd paired with another fish I had sold him a few weeks prior.

A good quality PROVEN breeding pair will cost at least $400.00. when I say proven, I mean I have seen free swimming fry.

I do know of several people as of late buying "breeding pairs" from few places, however, any 2 fish can lays eggs and fertilize, no all pair can raise babies as well as be fertile.

The fish I stock now are guaranteed not to be hormone'd or sterile and are known to be of some of the best quality in the world.

i liked the red dragons but sounds like there common. im looking for rare types. im letting my tank cycle for about a month with some plants.if you have some of the best in the world thats what im after. ive had some very rare fish my best so far is a black tang. i like bright fish so if you could give me a few ideas that would be great. if your in calgary when my tank is done cycleing i will have to take a weekend trip to calgary for some fish.

If you are looking for the rare/bright types you definitley want to go for some albino strains which I am sure Ray can help you with.

Be prepared if your going to breed, it's tough work that involves a lot of time and money!!

Thank a lot for sharing! Interesting stuff indeed.

Thanks for sharing, very interesting!! I wonder what the fat/protein contents would be in these sorts of diets.. I'd also guess that dietary needs would differ with age?

If it is in fact nematodes, I would think that it would have to be a pretty heavy infestation to have it refuse food altogether. If Met didn't work, then it most likely isn't a parasite infection, or it's too far gone to be saved.

Praziquantel is most effective against tapeworms, Levasimole is the better way to go for an all around dewormer. 1 g treat 100 gallons, leave for 24 hrs, then perform a large water change. Repeat 2-3 weeks later in case any eggs or larvae survived the first dose. If your fish has worms, you will see them being excreted within the first few hours.

If it's neither of the above, it could be a bacterial infection in the intestinal tract, in which case Kanamycin (Seachem Kanaplex) would be your best course of action.

Good luck, I hope the fish can be saved.

Thank you for the help. Any ideas where I can get Levamisole?

Connor, if nematodes are suspected, you basically have two options.

1. Have a necropsy performed. (which obviously isn't a solution for a single specimen)

or

2. Collect fresh fecal samples that can be evaluated under a microscope for the presence of nematode adults, eggs, or larvae.

Sorry I can't help on the vet assist, hopefully someone else has a line on one.

Thank you.

Again not sure if it is nematodes or something else, as I have been hitting him hard with Metronidazole (500mg per 10gals dosed twice daily), which doesn't look like it helped. He hasn't eaten in a long while, so I am not even sure if I could collect a fecal sample, on top of that I don't have a microscope. Any other ideas? At the moment I am treating with praziquantal (although I am not sure this will do much..)

Thanks,

Connor

Hi there,

One my Discus isn't looking so hot these days. Looks like hes got a really persistent case of worms (nematodes was my first guess.) All of my medicating doesn't seem to be working, and I'm running out of ideas and time. Does anyone know of vet clinics in Calgary that deal with aquatics? I was hoping maybe I could bring the fish in and they could do a gill scrape or something and figure out what the problem is and what to medicate with.

Thanks,

Connor

I bought that leopard. Nicest fish I own :P

I would'nt keep more than 2 in a 140 gal tank

Lol I'm sorry but that's a little overboard. You could keep two Oscars in a 140g and they would be fine, Altums get no where near as big nor aggressive. Altums do get to be a good size, but taller then longer (size and shape similar to Discus 5-7in.) Normally you have to worry more about tank height with these guys. You could fit quite a few in a 140g though.

Tigs,

If they are anything like Discus, they will spend most of their time growing for the first 10-12months of their life. For the next year after this, it will be very little, and slow growth. This is at least for Discus, so maybe what your researching is both correct.

I'm allergic, my Mom's super allergic. As someone else said, a common allergy and I would go as far as to say most people are allergic.

Thank you very much for the article. I am a little confused on dosing though, how much would I add to a 45g tank?

If you are treating for parasites, you have the options of dipping, short bath or long bath. If you are intending on treating in the tank, realize you will wipe out your filter bacteria at higher than 2mg/liter, so you would be looking at the long bath. Calculate the tank volume and convert to liters. Remember to aerate the water well. Also keep Hydrogen peroxide on hand to negate the KMnO4.

Take another look at the solution at Pisces. It is probably a premixed stock solution with directions on how much to add. Don't attempt this until you understand.

I used the dip method with my Koi, and that went well.

Thanks. Yes the solution says it's PP 3.4%. I could always just follow that route if you think it would be easier.

Thank you very much for the article. I am a little confused on dosing though, how much would I add to a 45g tank?

Thanks for the comments guys. I'll check Safeway, if not, I'll check a few drugstores around my area. My Discus lately seem to be flicking a little bit, I noticed I have copepods but I am worried maybe they have flukes. I am pretty sure Pieces doesn't carry it because I work there :P The only stuff we carry is a product that contains a very weak solution of PP. I heard all you have to do to treat, is add some into a bottle with water until it turns a bright pink color?

Anyone know where I can find this in the Calgary area?

What you are smelling is probably just a build of up D.O.Cs (Dissolved Organic Compounds.) Could be caused by a number of reasons. Those extra water changes should definitley help.

Thanks for the comments guys.

nice...lovem! if it wasnt for the daily water change thing ide have some myself .....

Adults you can easily get away with bi-weekly even weekly.

Here are my blue knights just over a month since I got them. They have grown a little, received them around 2.5". Enjoy.

http://img62.imageshack.us/i/p1010318.mp4/

It is true that Hikari is pulling out of Canada due to the increased red tape involved in getting the proper permits.

The San Francisco Bay Brand frozen food, in my opinion, is better quality and better value for your $. I'm sure your LFS can get this brand easily on a weekly basis.

Yes.

SFB is terrible quality IMO. I have found leeches in the blood worms before, and not to mention other weird worms. Plus their blood worms themselves for instance, look odd to me, very short and fat. I much prefer Hikari for quality, on top of this they have a three step sterilization process to kill any parasites/bacteria off. I use their glass worms and they seem fine, but I definitley wouldn't want to use their blood worms.

That sucks, can you still get dried foods by them?

Nope, think it will be a ban on all foods by Hikari.

Let them know they are killing pets due to starvation

I'm sorry but I was on the floor laughing after reading this. Ahaha little over the top. Hope you were kidding.

I can't recall the exact brand name, but petsmart sells it and it's a multi pack that has 4 different 'flavours'. i've been feeding this brand for at least a few months and like it, it seems to be good quality, and the fish gobble it up.

Thanks for the info. I don't visit Petsmart too often but I will keep my eye out for the brand!!

Omega One has a line of frozen foods, including blood worms. I can't comment on the quality as I have never used them, but they have a wide assortment.

As far as Hikari, I doubt that it will not be a permanent situation. The recent fiasco is due to the new CFIA regulations in Canada with regards to importing pet food.

I'm glad you feel this way. Any ideas where I can find the Omega One frozen food?

Hey all,

I heard that soon Hikari will not be supplying to Canada anymore. I don't really like San Franciso, I was feeding some of the fish SF bloodworms at work, found a few odd looking black worms in their and the worms themselves didn't look as high quality. What is everyone else doing for frozen foods, and is their any other substitutes to SF?

Thanks,

Connor

I would also be cautious with overdosing Prime as you risk depleting the oxygen supply in a tank without sufficient biological filtration (and yes I know it's recommended to overdose in emergency situations).

Never heard this before. Do you mind explaining why?

No chemical is needed, Cycle and Stabilty are both garbage.

Agreed. I have used Cycle once to no success and have never heard of Stability working (except mentioned by the members here on this thread.) They should all be called snake oil if you ask me If you can get some Mature media this is the easiest way. For anyone cycling their tank I will even give you my mature media if you can get me replacement filter foam You could also always overdose prime and do a few more water changes. I have Discus in a cycling tank right now with no issues, all I do is water changes