cerebus Posted November 30, 2004 Report Share Posted November 30, 2004 My red spotted green Discus has been acting strange for about a week or so. It spends a lot of time (especially during the day) hiding under a large ornament in the tank (and has to angle its body to fit under there). It's very territorial about this space, and will nip at any fish that comes under there. When the discus comes out, it occasionally (once or twice a night) darts frantically around the tank for a few seconds before swimming normally again. I tested the water, and the parameters are all fine. The fish's color is good, and it comes looking for food whenever we approach the tank so it's definitely eating. There are no obvious marks, lesions or signs of disease on the fish. Sorry, I know it's not a lot to go on, but it's all I've got. Any thoughts on what could be wrong? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cerebus Posted November 30, 2004 Author Report Share Posted November 30, 2004 One other thing: this change is behaviour happened after I changed the lighting in the tank. When I bought it, the tank came with a reptile light and I recently replaced it with a proper aquarium light that was supposed to be better for my plants. It's still only 40 Watts (I think) but this is the only thing that has changed in that tank. I've never heard of discus being photosensitive, but maybe this is a possibility...? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
midgetwaiter Posted December 1, 2004 Report Share Posted December 1, 2004 They don't like bright light much and they really don't like stuff going on overhead at all. Give it some time to get used to it and it'll calm down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cerebus Posted December 2, 2004 Author Report Share Posted December 2, 2004 I tried switching back to the original light, and there's been no change in behaviour. I'm not sure that this is the cause -- both lights are 40 watts, and the reptile one just seems to have a more yellow hue. At least the discus comes out to eat, and is out almost constantly later in the evening. I'll guess I'll just keep monitoring this to see what the problem might be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyL Posted December 3, 2004 Report Share Posted December 3, 2004 How are the poops looking (discus... it's all about the poop)? Any flicking off objects etc? What else is in the tank? Tank parameters... Need some info to go on - otherwise we're just shooting blanks in the dark. Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cerebus Posted December 3, 2004 Author Report Share Posted December 3, 2004 OK, some more information. The discus is in a fully planted, cycled tank with black water (I run peat through the filter). The discus has been in the tank for almost 5 months. He's the larger of two discus, and after some early aggression from the one that is now hiding, the pair get along fine. This discus are by far the largest fish in the tank. Their tankmates include: 5 Tetras (3 Rummynose & 2 Pristella), 4 juvie Gold Rams, 2 Boesemani Rainbows, 1 Fundulopanchax Spoorenbergi Killie, 1 Kribensis, 4 Cories (1 Bronze & 3 Sterbai), 4 Loaches (2 Clown & 2 Yoyo), 2 dwarf Plecos (Clown & Bristlenose), 1 Farlowella Catfish and 1 Otocinclus. Water parameters: 0 ammonia and nitrite of course, 7.6-7.8 PH, 180 GH, 50 KH. I don't have a nitrate reading. As far as the poop question, I haven't noticed but I'll keep an eye out for that. I assume I don't want to see white, stringy poop? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtac Posted December 3, 2004 Report Share Posted December 3, 2004 If water params are in check, poops fine, body colorations are fine and the only thing different per se is the changing to new bulbs, I wouldn't worry at all. IMHO, the changing of color spectrum/inensity will trigger some sort of behavioral response. Keep in mind fish and yes, even us humans, are photosensitive. To what degree and resulting effect will differ between species and individuals within that species. Since he's quite taken a liking to that space, it seems to me that he's taking claim to that space, the darting out and shaking is like most animals looking to attract a mate. In a natural setting is very typical. From what we see from breeding facilities, it's our only reference point and we forget that the are, in essence, a wild animal that we've "domesticated". JM2C Wilson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cerebus Posted December 3, 2004 Author Report Share Posted December 3, 2004 (edited) Thanks, Wilson, since he (or she -- I've never been able to tell for sure) seems fine otherwise, I'm not going to worry about it too much. I'll watch for any signs of illness, but I've yet to see any. It's just a little annoying when your centerpiece fish decides to hide all the time :grr: , but there's really not too much I can do about it. Thanks, Steve Edited December 3, 2004 by cerebus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtac Posted December 3, 2004 Report Share Posted December 3, 2004 Is it the only discus in the aquarium? If so then definitely it's some behavioral response to the light ing change if all else is "within check". Wilson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cerebus Posted December 4, 2004 Author Report Share Posted December 4, 2004 The one has been hiding is the larger of a pair of discus in that tank. However, just as suddenly as he/she(?) decided to start hiding, the behaviour has stopped. Strange. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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