How long can juvi discus live without food?

[Dan]

Hey guys,

After lurking around here for quite awhile soaking up info on discus :)

Finally bought 3 on friday.

I found this thread
http://www.discusforums.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=9288

which is basically the thing that is happening to me now.

My question is how long can juvi discus live without food?
They are about 7cm and i'm just being paranoid but haven't eaten since friday which i know is quite normal.
I just want to know how long they will not eat and be healthy.

Heres a pic of the tank they are currently in
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b371/aquariumsrus/My%20first%20discus/IMG_6388.jpg

Its a 2 foot tank, painted 3 sides and bottom blue. I am changing water about 10% every day because i try to feed them and they don't eat so it pollutes the water.
Temp is 29C

2 seem happy and healthy swim around and no clamped fins.
but one of them continually has clamped fins which i'm watchin out for
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b371/aquariumsrus/My%20first%20discus/IMG_6389.jpg

I'll be changing tanks (to a larger one) after they start eating and I'm confident they're all healthy.

Oh and i'm feeding them tetra bites becuase i was told that is what they were fed on by the previous owner.



Thanks
Dan

[the german]

hi dan
you should try some bloodworms brine shrimp or beefheartmix.
when they dont eat that than try live brine shrimp.
what are your water parameters?
they can stay a few days without food it wont harm them but
juv. discus need a lot of food to grow probably.

michael

[the german]

an other thing is 3 discus are not enough.
you need at least 5 better 6 or 7.
you dont need a bigger tank for them your's looks good to me.
yust make sure that the filtration is good.

michael

[Dan]

Thanks Michael :)

I'll go get some live brine shrimp tomorow.

I only bought 3 to see if they'll live or not.
Its kind of a test to see if i can look after discus cause if i can keep these alive i'll get more.

As for water parameters. I've kept and bred africans and all sorts of bits and pieces here and there and never mucked around with water.

I just do frequent water changes and never had any trouble.

I've also talked to a few people who keep discus in perth and they said theres no need to muck around with perth water and they use straight perth tap water.

Its straight tap water which i aged for the discus tank.

And the tank has been cycled and both sponge filters are cultured.

Its just the one with clamped fins i'm worrying about. He is kinda skinny and is now starting to float around abit at the top of the water.
Got a feeling i'll end up loosing him. I don't think hes gettin bullied badly either becuase he isn't getting chased around and physically hurt.

The other 2 are fine they get more boastful each day. But just haven't eaten anything yet.

Thanks
Dan

[the german]

you breed africans in a tank :shock:
watch out for amnesty international :wink:

yes perth water is very good,i dont even age it gooes straight in the
tank and no problems at all.
only for breeding i use aged water.
i'm sorry to hear that u lose one of them.......

i heard often that poeple try discus with 2 or 3 but that makes
it even harder than with a bigger group.

michael

[Dan]

:D

I haven't lost it yet! :) Theres still hope!
He just doesn't look too good at the moment!

The reason for the trio was becuase its my first time and i didnt' want to fork out a fair bit for a group of 5-6 and have them all die on me from my inexperience. These were cheap and a bargin which is partly the reason i decided to take the leap into discus :)

I'm hoping to gain alot of experience with this trio and then next time if i can keep these alive i'll be more willing to fork out some good money for some good fish :)

anyway fingers crossed and i'll keep you guys posted!
Hopefully they'll take the brine shrimp i'll be getting them tomorow.
Thanks
Dan

[samir]

when you buy discus you have to check if they are eating. if they come up to you at the lfs begging for food, you wont have this problem.are the other two bullying it ?
here's another post with the same issue
http://www.discusforums.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10907

[Dan]

Hey thanks for the link Samir

Hopefully mine won't stop eating for that long.

I have increased the temp to 30-31 and will be adding a bit of salt.
I also added some baby guppies for the time being maybe the discus will have a shot at the baby guppies but they're also there to make them feel more secure.

Live Brineshrimp tomorow hopefully that will be enticing enough for them.

the other 2 seem fine its just the one with clamped fins which is now swimmin nearly parallel to the water surface.

I don't think it is being bullied because i haven't seen it being chased mind you the other 2 tend to stick together while the 3rd is by itself so maybe they might when i'm not looking but there is no physical damage on the 3rd

Some pics of the clamped finned one :)

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b371/aquariumsrus/My%20first%20discus/IMG_6403.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b371/aquariumsrus/My%20first%20discus/IMG_6405.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b371/aquariumsrus/My%20first%20discus/IMG_6407.jpg

To make the water is not gettin polluted i change about a bucketful after every feeding and suck up all the uneaten food and debris i can see

Thanks
Dan

[samir]

is that white poo in the pic ???

[Dan]

I think so.

Its been pooing white/clearish poo since i've got it.

[Xtreme]

Maybe give it a doea of Prazi!!
Should sort it out if they r worms of some sort


Cheers Wayne

[viobank]

good morning Dan,
please read http://www.dallasdiscus.com/Hexamita.htm

[nicholas76]

ech! poor bugger seems to be on the way out.


meds would be the go, id dose the whole tank.

[samir]

the new dosage for metro is here
http://www.discusforums.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=11131
a piece of your mind needs to be given to the lfs, maybe they'll replace it

[Dan]

Cheers for the help guys much appreciated.

I'll do more research tonight and get some meds tomorow

I'll keep you guys posted

Thanks
Dan

[samir]

i don't think anything will work except metro, your lfs will probably give you something that will kill your biofilter and turn your tank blue, green or yellow and just complicate stuff further. If you can get waterlife octozin use that it may work.

[Dan]

Thanks Samir

will be looking for 'waterlife octozin'

Just an update on the clamped finned one:

Its currently struggling to stay vertical
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b371/aquariumsrus/My%20first%20discus/IMG_6416.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b371/aquariumsrus/My%20first%20discus/IMG_6417.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b371/aquariumsrus/My%20first%20discus/IMG_6418.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b371/aquariumsrus/My%20first%20discus/IMG_6414.jpg

While thats happening the other 2 are swimming blissfully around the tank looking like they have no idea one of their friends is dying.

I should really give him a name.


and just a curious question. If you no there is no hope of a discus do you let it die naturally? even if it looks like it is suffering?

Thanks
Dan

[samir]

just treat it don't worry about the dying part yet

[mcloughlin2]

an other thing is 3 discus are not enough.
you need at least 5 better 6 or 7.
you dont need a bigger tank for them your's looks good to me.
yust make sure that the filtration is good.

michael

I disagree. Discus can be big fish. (Reaching 6" easily most the time) So i 2 foot tank is definantly not big enough for them in the long run. You can have a filter doing a 5000lph turnover but unless the tank is of ample size the fish won't do well.

I do agree that 3 discus isn't a good number, as you may end up with a pair and one dead fish, so when you get the hang of discus buy another one and move them into a 3 or 4 foot tank.

Hope all goes well with the sick fella. Don't give up hope as discus can be fighters.

Cheers!

[Dan]

Well its come to an end :( No not the cricket which is once again being delayed by rain
but......
Clampy (i named him :) ) has gone to fishy heaven

Here are a few pics I took of him during the day of him struggling to hold onto life :cry:
Altho i only owned him for approx. 2 days I will still miss him and I'm sure if he survived he would have been full of character!


You can see the other fish swimming near him mocking him that the other fish can swim properly
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b371/aquariumsrus/My%20first%20discus/IMG_6419.jpg

Swimming upside down
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b371/aquariumsrus/My%20first%20discus/IMG_6420.jpg

doing some kind of swimming trick
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b371/aquariumsrus/My%20first%20discus/IMG_6421.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b371/aquariumsrus/My%20first%20discus/IMG_6434.jpg


Finally made it to the bottom of the aquarium after floating for nearly most of the day

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b371/aquariumsrus/My%20first%20discus/IMG_6438.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b371/aquariumsrus/My%20first%20discus/IMG_6440.jpg

And finally RIP
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b371/aquariumsrus/My%20first%20discus/IMG_6450.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b371/aquariumsrus/My%20first%20discus/IMG_6457.jpg


Cheers for the advice and help guys!
The remaining 2 seem in full health swimming around together

I'll still get that med. and treat the tank for the sake of it.

Thanks
Dan

[scott bowler]

sorry to hear that dan , it is a good idea to still med the tank . there is a chance that if one of the fish had worms the others will too .not allways but to be on the safe side do it . well mate good luck with it all . just remember we all loss fish from time to time so hang in there don t let it put you off .

[iro11a]

Hey sorry to hear that dan,are the other two eating yet?

Yeah try and octozin i helped with my guys when they had the same problem but my advice is never buy discus unless they are coming up to the glass looking at you cause this usually happens

But good luck with the other two hope they work out for you and enjoy!

Jono

[Dan]

Cheers scott and jono!

He will hold a special place in my heart cause hes my first discus to die :wink:

The other 2 i haven't noticed eat yet but they seem to have warmed up nicely and look well adjusted to the tank so i'm gonna try again tommorow and i'm confident they should eat.

It was just clampy that i was mainly concerned about.

I got these guys delivered to my house a few others got them as well.
So if they are reading this they might wana treat their discus as well becuase its from the same bunch and if mine had it the rest could have as well.

Hopefully it was just mine tho. Clampy took a hit for the team :D

Thanks
Dan

[the german]

very sorry about your fish :( :( :(


hey mcloughlin2 5000 or 10000l p/h doesnt make any diference the
volume of your filter is the point but you should know that i guess.
my filters are 10% of the volume of the tank and have a medium flow means 2-3 time the volume of the tank.

[Dan]

Hey Thanks Michael.

[Dan]

Hey all

Update:

Bought live brine shrimp.

The 2 seem kinda timid now, probably because there are only 2 but i can't get anymore atm. until i settle things down and they are given the all ok :) plus i don't have the finances atm.

when I first put the brine shrimp in there the guppies started eating them so took them out. After sitting there for awhile watching the 2 discus cower behind the filter one came out slightly and had a go at the brineshrimp SUCCESS!!!!!!!!!!

I didnt' see the other one eat any but i didnt' stay long i think they prefer it when i don't watch them.

So now the challenge is to get them to eat what i actually bought for them to eat.

And just a small question while i'm at it. What are discus faeces meant to look like?

I bought the brine shrimp from seaview and they said they'll be gettin live i think it was black worms on friday and they said discus love them so i'm gonna go spoil them and get that on friday.

Thanks
Dan

[samir]

treat them with octozin and they will start eating again. better not to feed any live food except brine shrimp.

[Dan]

Ok thanks Samir

Found that octozin at seaview $59.95
Didn't get it today cause i was short on cash

Will do on wed.

[samir]

i think you should go back to the lfs and let them know about it. Its obviously come with a problem.

[iro11a]

Ok thanks Samir

Found that octozin at seaview $59.95
Didn't get it today cause i was short on cash

Will do on wed.

That octozin is about 10 bucks over priced i would try and get it elsewhere if you can but it is good stuff :)

[4x4runner]

..

[4x4runner]

hey guys

I bought some discus from the same batch as dan's fish and been having similar problems. I ended up buying 5 of them and while mine never cower in the corners or behind plants, they dont eat........ we'll not as much as i like them to. I have been feeding sera flora, NLS grow and live brine shrimp. When the food sinks right infront of their face they will just watch it float by, i have however seen them peck at food or something when its on the ground. They arent eating much anyway.

I have also noticed that they all usually have 1 fin clamped at most times. And their poo is white/clear and stringy (bad i know)

Tank parameters are
planted tank, co2.
housed with 10 guppies and 2 oto's
temp is 30-32
ammonia 0
nitrates 0
p.h 6.5
unsure of hardness.

Mine seem healthy as they constantly cruise around the tank and show some colour too.

What do you reckon?? Some sort of worms perhaps?? Or just still settling in??

cheers

[bushie]

hey all,

dan, sorry to hear about clampy mate.

I got some from the same batch and mine are doing fine.
took to brine shrimp straight away.
not too keen on flake or beef heart mix yet but it usually takes a bit of time for them to settle and start feeding, after all it is only three days.
I`ve had discus that don`t eat for a week or more and then once they start they`ll eat you out of house and home.
keep checking your water parameters and lots of regular water changes through this period, as there will be lots of uneaten food.
make sure the temp is up around 29-30c.
I always treat my new fellas for worms after I had an incident a while back and think it is good general practice to do so on a regular basis.

dan, if you need medications mate, just give me a pm.

[Dan]

Cheers for the offer Bushie.

But i think if i'm destined to start my collection of discus.
I may as well start my collection of meds for them :D

:)

Next time i'll have the meds all ready and hopefully wont be as troublesome!

Its been quite the start for my first ever discus keeping experience :)

I suppose if it all ran smoothly it'd be boring :D

Thanks
Dan

[4x4runner]

I think i've got myself a struggler! He's acting the same as dan's with fins clamped and swimming sideways on the surface. By the looks he'll be dead tonight.

Others are still swimming with one fin clamped any idea what this means?????? Not even going near food at the moment.

[samir]

it means you may need to up your water changes.

[4x4runner]

Yep will do a waterchange just incase.

Just heard that my mate who bought 2 of these same discus to add to his bunch of 5 discus has now noticed the original occupants have started to act differently. Appetitie is down and theres a bit of spitting with their food. There is definately something wrong with these guys. They have been moved to my tank to prevent further problems. Now i have 7 of these discus who are not quite right, with 1 of them probaly about to die.

So would a dose of octozin be the go in curing these guys???

Bushie, you said yours has settled in alright, could this be due to you worming them first??

[4x4runner]

yep he's a goner! Just started the first days dose of octozin, apparently it will take 7 days til results are shown.......hope they are still alive by then.

[samir]

you guys should check that your tanks are properly cycled before buying discus.
If just starting off its better to buy a healthy lot from one source and not mix other fish till you develop an understanding of discus behavior. there must be a topic somewhere on choosing discus. don't buy timid fish and don't feel sorry for "Tiny".
You could save yourselves a lot of hassles if you followed a few basic steps when choosing fish and setting up tanks. There's a lot of information on the forum so please read before you buy.
There's nothing more pleasing than discus letting you "pet" them :lol: , and there's nothing more frustrating than them smashing into walls every time you move. If you don't have the necessary experience to fix them its important not to get unhealthy fish. Medications are the last resort not the first.

[DiscusEden]

Samir, is there an exception to that with worming? Should we be doing that as a matter of course, rather than a last resort?

[4x4runner]

My tanks are properly cycled and maintained, Choosing fish is just hard when you buy fish without being able to see it, we purchased them from an online retailer so couldn't get to see them in person. I have had many discus in the past all purchased from local breeders and never had a problem. This is the first time i've experienced such behaviour. These arent even really that small ive bought them at 50c size before.

[samir]

are you treating with octozin ? looks like you guys got a problematic batch. i hope they're separate ? let us know how its going.

[bushie]

I may have jumped the gun with my previous post.
all looked fine at first with signs of appetite ect.
the last couple of days they have gone down hill rapidly.
I treated with prazi at first and now am seeing some large white worms being passed so I think we have a tape worm issue.
I have lost one yesterday and today all the others are head down, fin flicking and gill rubbing.
so I think the prazi is also iratating a gill fluke issue but can`t be certain.
I also recieved another discus at the same time, same size, same supplier.
different batch, different type and had no issues with him at all.
so I think we have all just recieved a dodgy batch of fish.
I`m going in to damage control and doing my best to do what I can.
good luck all with your lot.
water change, meds, water change meds :roll:

P.S. I am not blaming the supplier, as he did say he was getting them in for us and forwarding them straight on to us.
at a heavily reduced price.
so he had no time to see any probs.
fish looked good and healthy.
he might want to talk to the people he is sourcing his fish from though.

[bushie]

just had another look at my tank and now have another one on it`s side which I don`t expect will make it through the night. :(

[samir]

do a huge waterchange.

[4x4runner]

edited

resolving the matter as we speak.

[Dan]

Update.

Well the 2 are alive and have survived the treatment of octozin.
I plan to move them to the 4 foot tank soon to build their confidence and get them to eat readily when they see other fish come eat readily.

I also have been very willingly given a full refund for the discus without any hassle. And i've heard that the others who bought this batch also got a full refund which is cool.

Thanks for all your help guys.

Thanks
Dan

[the german]

hi dan
get a refund... thats good.
hope your other two wil make it.


michael

[4x4runner]

yeah i would just like to say the retailer which we got them from has been very helpful and kindly offered us a full refund. It was very trouble free and no questions asked. Wish we let him know about this sooner tho.

Anyway 2 of the fish have improved slightly with them eating a little here and there. But they still fin-flick and rub against things The others i'm unsure about, they just hang around the spray bay for now, hopefully the medication will kick in very soon.

thanks for everyones help

[bushie]

dan,
DO NOT move them to the 4ft until you are 100% sure that they have no more bugs of any kind.
I have treated mine with prazi and will begin treatment with levimisole tomorrow.
better to be safe than sorry.
I would give them another week and a redose to make sure you fixed the problem.
if you want some levimisole I have heaps, just pm me. (fixes different worms)
I`m out your way all the time and can drop some off.
if we are dealing with a parasite ie; worms ect. you want to make sure you get the eggs when they hatch.
from memory you have other fish in the four foot and you don`t want everything getting sick.

don`t rush things

bushie

[Dan]

Hey bushie

Oh ok. I'll leave it for another few weeks then. I just wanted to move them so they would gain more confidence. The dream is to handfeed them :) but their too skittsh at the moment

I've pmed you

Thanks
Dan

[4x4runner]

Hows are everyones fish?? More of mine have started eating a little bit better. They are still trying to rub up against some vallis in there tho, so i dont know which would be the next treatment for them. Any meds which you guys are having sucess with???

btw I have completed the 3 day dose of octozin.

[Dan]

Hey guys

Well an update!

Still have the 2 they don't bully each other at all and stick together.
Haven't had any success yet with them eating the tetrabits
But I have seen them peck at live brine shrimp.

Finished the Octozin 3 day treatment and now going to start a treatment of levimisole. (Cheers bushie for the levimisole :) )

Pics of our chinese new year feast! Mum and sister spent the whole day cooking!
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b371/aquariumsrus/CNY%202007/IMG_6525.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b371/aquariumsrus/CNY%202007/IMG_6528.jpg

And Pics of the feast I bought the Discus

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b371/aquariumsrus/IMG_6566.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b371/aquariumsrus/IMG_6573.jpg

They are still hanging in there :)
Thanks
Dan

[4x4runner]

I've had mine peck at bloodworms and live brineshrimp, i have some beef heart which i hope to introduce to them soon. I had them eating pellets the other day now they arent keen on them? dont know why tho.

what does levimisole treat for???

oh and that feast sure looks good dan!

[Dan]

I'm not quite sure. It is a water soluble.
I think its a kind of worming med.

[samir]

still not eating properly ?

[Dan]

Nope not really.

But they are still alive tho :)

[iro11a]

hey dan did you hatch your own shrimp?

[the german]

hey dan

this food :D
i get hungry when i see this....

[Dan]

Hey

iro11a i bought them.

the german
God it took the whole day to prepare and make but only 1/2 an hour to eat :)

[bushie]

ok, update time.

haven`t had much input regarding these fish we got.
let`s see if someone can work out what we are dealing with.
my guess is tapeworm and secondary bacterial infection.

the story so far:
recieved six discus (red) from one batch and one discus (yellow) from different batch (same supplier).
all fish were fine settling and looked interested in food.
treated with prazi, water change after 24 hrs.

after two days the six reds looked lathergic, hiding, gill rubbing, not eating, head down.
noticed they were passing white worm like things but not long ones like tape worms, these were 6-7mm long quite thick and bulbous at each end, one end bigger than the other.
noticed others who had same discus from same batch where complaining of sick discus also.
water changed daily 60%.

unfortunately due to tank situations they were quarantined with a few other fish. (not my other discus)
day three lost one discus.
day 6 lost another one.
also lost a female kribensis that bloated severely.
male kribensis had one of his eyes pop out of his socket and has not returned to normal.
3 killifish gardinerri all bloated and died.
all fish looked quite ill except for one discus (yellow).
discus were losing their slime coating in areas, blood red areas in the nasal cavity and where the pectorals join the body.
treated with levimisole, water change after 24 hrs.

day 10 some improvement.
lost one more but I think it is from lack of food now.
others have picked a little live brine and some black worm.
all other fish in the tank now seem fine, even the pop eye krib is looking happy ( although he still has a pop eye ).
except all the corys have lost their barbels and show signs of fungal attack.
am now going to treat with triple sulpha.

does anyone know what we are dealing with or have any reasonable Idea.
every time I think I have this problem solved something else happens.

p.s. discus still have blood red markings in the nasal cavity and fin joins.

appreciate any views.

thanks

bushie

[endless]

Hey bushie, have you treated with octozin yet? If not i suggest you do so immediately. Dont use triple sulpha yet as i dont think your main problem is fin rot

[Merrilyn]

Bushie, my best guess at this stage is that you're dealing with a bacterial infection, and using Octozin would be the best way to go.

Certainly the red areas around the nasal passage and pectoral fins sounds bacterial, as does the missing barbels on the catfish. Bacteria is also thought to be responsible for bloat, as sometimes, treating with an antibiotic will cure it, at least in the short term.

If the white stringly like droppings are caused by hexemita, it should sort that out too.

Good luck.

[bushie]

thanx guys,
was a lack of postings re this thread so I assumed I was on the mark and have treated with tri sulpha.
things look reasonable and have put them in with the others already.
may give them a boot of octazin as well now.
does that affect the filters?

p.s. I love your new/ real name Merrilyn :D

[4x4runner]

I've treated mine with octozin 3-day dose and havent really seen any major improvement, Ive lost 2 of of my 5 and 2 more looking very unwell. One has cloudy eyes while the other is close to death. They are also getting very very skinny to the point where the lateral line is showing and their heads are a lot wider than their bodies. Any sure fire way to get these guys to put on some pounds?? Ive tried live brine, frozen bloodworm, Might have to try live black worm soon


Also since day 1 i have witnessed that all discus has the blood in nasal cavity which i suspect from rapid breathing????

[bushie]

update!

all seem to be ok for the moment.
have been in with my other discus for a week now and although they hide away, they do come out and pick at food at feed times.

how are you other boys doing wth yours ( 4x4 and dan )?

does anyone know what type of worm/ intestinal parasite it may have been re my previous post and photos on page 1 of this thread from dan?

oh well, $100 of meds and $100 dollars of dead fish.
doesn`t seem like a bargain any more.
live and learn ( yet again ).

message to self:

self, remember this,
a quarantine tank is just that, a quarantine tank.
do not put fish in there unless being quarantined
otherwise you may suddenly get a bargain that needs to go in there.
if they have something nasty it may affect your other fish.
hence, it is called quarantine. :roll:

[samir]

you guys need to lower your ph to around 5 and keep monitoring it.that should end most bacterial activity. treat the fish with metro (not octozin) once they start eating then with a 10 day course of antibiotics (mix it with beef heart)

[Dan]

Hey Bushie.

Well things with the discus. I put a trio of guppies in there with them and the guppies seem to love it! Dunno if its the frequent feedings or the waterchanges but they breed quite frequently more then usual then my other guppies :D

Both are still alive and 1 of them is quite brave at times seen from a far distance swimming around at the front of the tank the other cowers a fair bit. I have seem them both peck at food when i leave it in there for awhile and leave them alone. But hey i'm just surprised they are still alive :)

I dont' think there is anything wrong with them anymore and i'm going to put them into the 4 foot probably on sat or friday.

I plan to get some more to put with these guys to boost their confidence once i have them in the 4 foot tank. The brave one actually looks pretty decent now when it is swimming around at the front of the tank. I'll try get some shots of them in the 4 foot when i get them in there

Thanks
Dan

[4x4runner]

2 died yesterday, didn't expect them to survive. It was really weird that their fins were almost corroded away??? also lost 4 guppies as well, Ive since done a big water change and purchased live black worm to entice them to eat. They are pecking at it say 3 or so worms per feeding, hope fully they will put on some weight, they are extremely skinny now. Also for the first time since i had them they are cowering behind some plants where as before they would be more out in the open.

What would be the next method of treatment?? Should i buy some metro??

[samir]

how many do you have left ? might just be better economics to start over.

[4x4runner]

got 3 left, I originally purchased 5 but was looking after 2 for my friend as his other discus were affected by them. So from the 7 it has wittled down to 3. This probaly explains them cowering now??

But yeah it has crossed my mind ... starting all over again but at the same time i have spent alot of time and money on these fish and dont want to just throw in the towel. I might just transfer them to a 2ft tank which i can maintain/ monitor easier and start the other tank all over again. Would also be more economical for meds too. I'll only do it once they eat a bit more regularly.

[4x4runner]

here's a pic of the biggest one which is not doing so well. He's very skinny, has thin black stringy poo and some sort of fin rot. I'm currently treating with prazi, as i dont know what would be better??? He still seems fairly active considering.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v688/esoar/P2270263.jpg

The others arent as skinny and i think that 1 has definately pull through, he is starting to chase and display to the other fish. He also eats regularly and doesnt mind coming out from the plants