Tips That Can Surely Help Keep Your Discus Fish Healthy and Happy

Keeping and Taking Care of Discus Fish...

• Discus fish are among the most popular types of fish to keep in the aquarium. Many hobbyists today already took them as pets as they enjoy watching these colorful fishes swim around the fish tank. However, you need to keep in mind that although these fishes are very beautiful, there is a trade off. You need to remember that taking care of discus fish is not that easy. Discus fish are high maintenance types of fishes, which are very sensitive to water quality and food quality.

You have to keep in mind that unlike most freshwater aquarium fishes, discus fish needs to be taken care of properly in order for them to grow healthy and happy even if they are not in their natural habitat. These are the reasons why you need to learn about the different care tips and techniques for discus fish.

The first thing that you need to do is to understand the behavior of the discus fish. You have to keep in mind that juvenile discus fish can be aggressive when it comes to eating. However, as they grow up or mature, you will find that their eating behaviors will start to change and they will also start to become graceful.

You also have to remember that discus fish likes to live in groups. This is how they are in their natural habitat. So, this is basically the reason why you have to try and give your discus fish a number of other discus fish swimming in the same fish tank. It is recommended to have at least 6 discus fish inside an aquarium. This is to prevent them from getting lonely and also prevent them from getting aggressive against their own kind.

Discus fish are shy types of fishes. This is why you also need to put some ornaments and plants inside the aquarium. These things will serve as a place to hide for your discus fish.

Also, you have to remember that discus fish are quite sensitive to noise. So, you may want to put them in a place in your home where there is less traffic and less noise. Avoid putting your discus fish aquarium in areas in your home where it receives a lot of traffic, such as your living room. This will subject your discus fish with high levels of stress, which will eventually cause them to get sick.

Discus fish needs clean water and good nutrition in order to thrive. When you are putting tap water in your aquarium, make sure that the water is treated first before you place the discus fish inside. This is to ensure that the water is free from chemicals, such as chlorine and other heavy metals. Discus fish lives naturally in soft water that is slightly acidic.

When it comes to feeding, make sure that you don’t over feed them.

By ensuring these things, you will see that your discus fish will grow healthily, which will essentially mean good color development.

Always keep in mind that before you actually purchase a discus fish and place them in your aquarium, make sure that you know how to take care of them and make sure that you are responsible enough to care for them.

Several Tips to Take Care of Your Discus Fish

Discus fish are considered to be one of the most beautiful types of fishes that you can keep as pets in your aquarium. However, you will find that keeping them can present you with a challenge. You have to remember that discus fish are very sensitive when it comes to the water quality they live in as well as the food you feed them.

So, here are several tips that you need to remember in order to keep your discus fish happy and healthy.

For starters, you may want to keep the fish tank clean. You have to keep in mind that discus fish are quite sensitive to disease and water conditions. And, they really won’t tolerate sudden and large water quality changes. Small fish tanks will likely fluctuate when it comes to the water pH level as well as the temperature. This is why larger fish tanks are recommended for discus fish. The smallest size for at least 6 discus fish would be a 40 gallon tank.

When you get a new discus fish, you have to quarantine them before you place them on your main tank. This is to prevent them from introducing bacteria, parasites, as well as other types of diseases that can be transferred to other fishes inside the main tank.

If the quarantined fish do not show any signs of illness after two or three weeks in the quarantine tank, you can introduce them to the main tank.

Also, you should keep in mind that discus fish thrives in tropical waters. So, keep the water temperature in your tank between 84 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit. You can use a water heater in your tank to keep the water temperature stable and you should also invest in a water thermometer in order for you to constantly monitor the temperature.

The environment in the aquarium should mimic the natural habitat of the discus fish. You should put in logs, rocks, plants and other spots where the discus fish can hide in or shelter in. You have to provide a lot of places in your tank where your discus fish can hide.

The diet of discus fish is also important. Discus fish love to dine on worms. You should feed them bloodworms, brine shrimp, and daphnia. However, these foods may carry parasites and bacteria that can infect your discuss fish. So, be careful when feeding worms to your discus fish.

You should also keep in mind that discus fish are very reactive with their environment. So, place the aquarium containing discus fish in an area in your home that doesn’t receive a lot of traffic. High traffic can produce high levels of stress.

The acidity and hardness of the water should also be kept at an optimum level. For discus fish, the optimum water acidity would be a pH level of 6.

Remember these tips and you can be sure that you will be able to take good care of your discus fish. These tips will serve as your guide in owning or keeping discus fish in your aquarium. Always remember that discus fish are social animals. So, try to keep at least 6 discus fish in your aquarium in order to keep them happy.

Basic Care Tips for Discus Fish

Before you go out and buy a discus fish in your nearest pet store, you need to remember that discus fish are very sensitive when it comes to water condition and food quality. Discus fish are quite expensive and you wouldn’t want to buy one if you don’t know how to take care of it. So, here are some of the basic fish care tips that you need to follow in order for you to properly take care of discus fish in your aquarium.

First off, many people think that discus fish are only for advanced fish keepers. They couldn’t be more wrong. Taking care of discus fish is easy if you only know how to do it properly. It may be hard at first but as you get more experience, everything will become routine and easy to do.

The aquarium size is one of the most important things that you need to consider. Discus fish thrives in deep water. So, you may want to get a large tank that is both wide and deep. Discus fish can grow up to 6 or even 7 inches. Now, because you have to have at least 6 discus fish together in the aquarium, you will definitely need a larger tank.

Although it is possible for you to keep discus fish in tanks that are empty, it’s best if you put in plants, bog wood, and rocks inside the tank. These will not only make the tank look a lot better but these things will serve as a hiding place for discus fish and it will also help keep them comfortable.

Discus fish are easily frightened and if they have nowhere to hide, they will get stressed easily and can possibly hurt themselves from dashing around the tank and hitting the glass.

The water is also an important factor. Make sure that you keep the pH level of the water at 6 and also the temperature at a constant 82 to 86 degrees F.

If you want to add other species of fish in the discus fish aquarium, make sure that you try adding catfish, plecs, small tetras, and other gently and slow moving fish from South America. Just make sure that the discus fish are the largest fish in the tank.

When it comes to their food, discus fish can be fed with aquarium foods. You can feed the discus fish with frozen bloodworms and brine shrimp. Adult discus fish can be fed once a day but juvenile ones should be fed at least 3 times a day.

These are some of the factors that you need to know when you plan on caring for discus fish. By following these tips, you can be sure that you will be able to properly raise discus fish and get them to thrive in your aquarium. If you do it right, you may even get your discus fish to breed and never worry about buying another group of discus fish ever again.

With these tips, you will be able to have a guide on how to properly take care of discus fish in an aquarium.

The Basic Environment for the Discus Fish

When it comes to tropical fishes, many aquarists would insist that the discus fish reigns supreme. Many fresh water aquariums today wouldn’t really be complete if the vibrant and soothing discus fish is not in it. Before, because of its limited supply, only a selected few would be able to get their hands on a discus fish, let alone a handful of them, luckily today, many are now able to get their hands on them, and if you’re one of those lucky persons, then you should know how to provide them a good environment so that they can leave healthy and stress free.

Unlike other normal household pets, fishes are much more fragile. The discus fish is geared more as a tool for visual enjoyment rather than being cuddly and playful, like a dog or cat. Aside from that, they need more looking after, providing them with an adequate environment where they can breed and live healthy. This is not to dissuade you; fish owners know how rewarding an aquarium can be. To many, this relieves stress effectively. So if you plan on getting some discus fish or have already purchased some, here are some tips on how to keep the environment suitable for the discus fish.

Firstly though, don’t be dissuaded when people say that discus fish keeping is difficult, frankly speaking it can be, but only to those who do not exert the effort to learn. But, in time, with proper research you will discover that discus fish keeping is very rewarding and easy. So here we go.

You need to have an adequately sized tank. Discus fishes can grow big, as compared to other fishes when they reach their adulthood. Normally, they can grow to about six or seven inches. Make sure that they have adequate space for each discus especially when they are breeding. If in a cramped space, this can lead to fighting and injuries.

You may add some ornaments in your tank. Although they can survive without them, ornaments wont only make your aquarium look good, but they can also provide shelter for them for their protection and for their spawning. Also, some plants can help clean the tank.

Secondly, and to some most importantly, your aquarium water should be strictly kept at a certain level, both in temperature and in pH level. You should also always keep your tank clean and soft, keep away heavy metals and invest in a good filtration system or purifying unit. Keep the water slow moving and with temperatures between 82 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit.

When adding other fish to your tank, make sure that your discus fish is the largest in the tank. Because they can be somewhat protective of their area, bigger fishes can injure them or worse kill them. Fishes that can live together with the discus fish are plecs and small tetras.

Keep this tips in mind and you will find that maintaining a discus fish, and even breeding them will not be difficult for you.

The Perfect Fish Species to Include In a Discus Fish Tank

A lot of people believe that a discus fish aquarium should only be dedicated to discus fish alone. However, you need to keep in mind that although discus fish are considered to be high maintenance fish, you will find that there are other species that can also thrive with the discus fish. And, the best thing about these fish species is that they go along with discus fish and can really enhance the look of your discus fish aquarium.

You have to remember that discus fish are schooling fish that likes to be kept in small groups of five to eight. They need security of a school around them and getting them in groups will help in reducing their stress levels and also help in keeping them happy. Another advantage of keeping them in groups is that you are actually increasing their chances of mating and breeding and produce more discus fish, which you can keep or even sell for profit.

Although discus fish are very beautiful on its own, you can increase the appeal of your discus fish aquarium by adding other species of fish. Discus fish will feel comfortable with small schooling fish, such as characins. When your discus fish see the characins in the open, they will feel that they are safe to swim around the aquarium and will be more active. A large school of characins, such as the Cardinal Tetra, Rummy Nose, or the Neon Tetras go well with discus fish.

This will also help emulate their natural habitat more and both types of fishes flourish well in the same water conditions.

You can also include most peaceful and slow moving South American fish as well as Dwarf Cichlids with the discus fish. However, you just do so if the other fish doesn’t compete for space and food with the discus fish.

Blue and Golden Gouramis can also be included in the discus fish tank but are not recommended because they are more aggressive in nature. Another fish that goes well with discus fish is the Corydoras. These are small and peaceful catfish that does a great job as a bottom feeder. Get a couple of these fishes and they will be able to help keep your tank clean.

Although Angelfish can look great with the discus fish, it is not recommended for smaller discus fish tanks. This is because Angelfish can grow very large and can bully the discus fish. They may even outcompete the discus fish for food and they may also carry diseases that the discus fish are prone to catch. This combination is possible but it will require a much larger aquarium and also a skilled aquarist.

Another great fish that can complement your discus fish is the Blue Ram, which is a beautiful dwarf cichlid. This fish will go well with your discus fish and it can further enhance the overall look of your aquarium.

These are some of the fish species that can go well with your discus fish. By keeping these things in mind, you will be able to have an idea what kind of fish species to get to accompany your discus fish in the aquarium.