dark discus

[snakeskin]

I have a discus that I keep in a 75 gallon tank w/ 0 Ammonia, Nitrate or Nitrite and the discus always seems to have his dark bars that run vertically and seems to be darker colored during different parts of the day. These seem to indicate that he is stressed, but why?

[blazeyreef]

do you have any other discus with him? They are shy schooling fish that need other fish of their species to live comfortably in any environment. This would definitely cause stress. Also any extremely fast moving or rambunctious fish would stress him as well.

[snakeskin]

I don't have any other discus with him- yet. and there are rummynose tetras in the tank but he was in there before them and still displayed such signs.

[lauraleellbp]

x2 discus shouldn't be kept singly.

I wouldn't add any other fish to this tank until the health issues posted in your other thread have been resolved, however.

Keeping everything in the same thread would actually be more helpful for people responding to the issues, as everyone would have a bigger picture.

[crazie.eddie]

Just because they show their stress bars, does not mean they are stressed or something is wrong. I think of them as mood bars.

What other fish are with it? What type of discus?


As everyone else stated, discus are best kept in groups. They are shy, nervous fish and are usually raised in groups. If kept singly, they may hide often and not eat, become ill or even die. Just think of it in safety in numbers.

Edit: modified this post...

[snakeskin]

Just because they show their stress bars, means they are stressed or something is wrong. I think of them as mood bars.

What other fish are with it? What type of discus?


As everyone else stated, discus are best kept in groups. They are shy, nervous fish and are usually raised in groups. If kept singly, they may hide often and not eat, become ill or even die. Just think of it in safety in numbers.

As of right now there are two american flagfish, 11 rummynose tetras and 1 bristlenose pleco. this discus is just a normal domestic bred snakeskin discus. I do plan on adding more discus but every local fish store I go to sells emaciated, sickly, parasite infested garbage.

[lauraleellbp]

My guess that the discus is also stressed b/c you just had (and possibly still have) ich in this tank.

[bsmith782]

Originally Posted by crazie.eddie

Just because they show their stress bars, means they are stressed or something is wrong. I think of them as mood bars.

What other fish are with it? What type of discus?


As everyone else stated, discus are best kept in groups. They are shy, nervous fish and are usually raised in groups. If kept singly, they may hide often and not eat, become ill or even die. Just think of it in safety in numbers.

That is not entirely true. Snakeskins almost always have some banding, espicially ones from less then stellar stock, that does become much more prominent during times of stress. Also, if the fish as a whole is looking darker (not more vibrant, more dull) that could be the onset of a more serious problem.

[snakeskin]

That is not entirely true. Snakeskins almost always have some banding, espicially ones from less then stellar stock, that does become much more prominent during times of stress. Also, if the fish as a whole is looking darker (not more vibrant, more dull) that could be the onset of a more serious problem.

Well it is not really a constant darkness, but randomly or when ever he is eating his bands become less dark and his colors more vibrant but soon after he returns to his less exciting state. I can actually see him get darker in front of my eyes. I think it is a little crazy. I do think he needs some friends but I want to find "good" ones before I make that kind of investment also, I want to make sure whatever he has isn't terminal and is treated.

[bsmith782]

What is the temp of your tank?

[snakeskin]

82 degrees

[bsmith782]

Temp's good. Id raise it to 84-86 just in case of some certian parasites, or ich (havent read your other post but there are only so many other problems we can have in aquariums).

How is water current/flow?

What do you feed it?

Can you post a full pic of the tank?

[crazie.eddie]

Originally Posted by bsmith782

That is not entirely true. Snakeskins almost always have some banding, espicially ones from less then stellar stock, that does become much more prominent during times of stress. Also, if the fish as a whole is looking darker (not more vibrant, more dull) that could be the onset of a more serious problem.

Oops. I modified my original reply. That's what I get from replying from my Pocket PC.

[crazie.eddie]

Also like to ask...

What type of light do you have?

What color background?

Depending on where the fish is swimming, the lighting could make it appear darker. I know when my discus are in certain areas and I'm looking at a certain angle, hey appear dark and dull. But if I view from another angle, they are fine.

Yes, a tank photo would help.

[snakeskin]

How is water current/flow?

What do you feed it?

Can you post a full pic of the tank?

There is a strong flow, I feed it blood worms, brine shrimp, mysis shrimp and flake food. I also try to feed garlic, but he usually doesn't eat it. I will try to post a pic later today.