Symptoms of internal parasites in Discus

a) not eating
b) not growing
c) dull color

Why Discus fish refuse to eat?
Healthy Discus fish eat anything you give, when they are hungry. If they do not eat, there must be something wrong the fish and not the food. They have no appetite to eat because of internal parasites - WORM

Why Discus fish eat but they do not grow?
All the nutrition intended for the Discus is taken up by the worms.
Discus free from worms will turn the food into nutrition for them to grow.

Color of Discus fish look very dull
The color of the Discus does not look attractive. Even when using natural enhancer, it does not show improvement as all the vitamins and nutrition is taken by the worms.

Discus should be treated for worms. We must de worm them once every month. Especially if they are fed live food, tubifex worm and bloodworm, as these do bring internal parasite to the Discus.

Treat them and get rid of worms every month. Your Discus will eat, grow and they will look attractive.

Types of Internal Parasites
Hexamita, Roundworms, Capillaria, Threadworms
Tape Worm, Metacercaria, Sanguinicola

For the treatment of flagellates (most common ailment of Discus):
When you see white feces are present in the tank, and the fish will not eat then use:

• Metronidazole B.P. Tablets - 200mg
• Dosage: 2 tablets for 50 gallons water

Change water and repeat the treatment everyday for 5 days.
When white feces disappeared and see black feces, internal parasites cleared.

One of the best ways to keep your fish healthy is to make sure that they eat regularly and well. But feeding them badly can make them very ill. In fact your fish is more likely to die from bad feeding than any other cause. It is really a question of balance; if you feed the fish too little then they will not grow properly and will be underweight, but if you feed them too much then they will be overweight. Very similar to people really, you just need to make sure that you feed them well and that you give them the right amount. Although it is a balancing act, it is really not that hard and if you are sensible then it should be fine.

It is much better to feed your fish a bit less and a bit more often. If you feed them too much then it is quite likely that the extra food will not be eaten. But this is not necessarily a good thing, as the extra food will usually end up on the floor of the tank. Then it will start to rot and so will have a detrimental effect on the quality of the water. Even worse, the food, as it rots, can create ammonia. This can be very bad for the fish, as they do not only live in the water, they also have to breathe it as well.

If you feed your fish a little less but feed them more often then it means that they can eat the food and not leave any that could be wasted and sink to the floor of the tank. It is also a much better way for your fish to eat. Try not too feed your fish food that is likely to rot down so often such as meat or other fish.

Another way to reduce the amount of waste that is in the tank is to buy a good quality filter. Then even if there is waste on the base of the tank, it is more likely that the filter will clean it up. It is worth buying one that is of a good quality rather than just a cheap one that will not clean so well.

Finding the right balance for feeding your fish is not hard, it just takes a little time to see how much they eat and how much is wasted so that you will be able to give them the right amount.

You can make your own supplement for general fish feeding that is high in DL-methionine (an important amino acid in fish nutrition); Start with whole salmon which is an excellent source of carotene for color (frozen or even canned works), frozen peas, hard boiled egg, frozen or FD brine shrimp, duck weed or spiulina powder, and fish oil (cod liver oil works fine). Blend this mixture then add corn starch to the paste to dehydrate. Spread this paste on small strips of foil (or even wax paper if your dehydrator does not get to hot). Make sure you leave room for air circulation.

For a frozen food, substitute the corn starch with unflavored gelatin powder.

For goldfish and koi, add wheat germ powder. Use this formula for African Cichlids, except delete the wheat germ.

For more carnivorous fish increase the whole fish and decrease the spirulina powder or duckweed. Calamari (squid) can be added too for carnivorous fish, but make sure that all the ink is removed from whole squid.

Use this formula for Discus.

For spirulina powder, Spirulina One Flake can be substituted, but since this already a complete diet for many fish, I double the amount of this and decrease other ingredients by comparable amounts.

Here are basic percentages, please note that you can change these percentages to suit your fish food requirements:

BASIC/GOLDFISH/CARNIVOURE

Whole Salmon: 25% 20% 30%

Peas: 25% 25% 15%

Egg: 20% 15% 25%

Brine shrimp: 15% 15% 15%

Spirulina Powder:10% 15% 5%

Wheat Germ: 0% 5% 0%

Squid: 0% 0% 5%

Fish Oil: 2% 2% 2%

Corn Starch or Gelatin: 3% 3% 3%

Making your own fish food can be rewarding, The fish look well and are in peak condition, Sure it can be messy but hey you save money, get better looking fish and its something you only need do every few months - Give it a go!

There’s just something about watching Tropical Fish go about their business in a good aquarium that makes them a joy to have around. The graceful movements, beautiful colors and serene waters all combine to make the experience pleasurable.

Considering the advantages of this type of pet other some others, it’s a good idea to treat the investment in them well. So, making sure to be well informed about choices for fish and aquariums will be important.

Whether you want to set up an aquarium for home or office use, how to go about it will largely depend on the type and size of fish you intend to stock. No matter the choices, however, there are some things to do and some to avoid that can greatly impact the aquarium.

Things to consider before buying an aquarium include:

* Size desired. This will largely be determined by how much space you can set aside for a tank. Remember in a lot of cases you’ll need a power supply nearby, so keep this in mind as well.

* Safe location. A fish tank shouldn’t be placed where it could easily be knocked over, where the fish will be disturbed by major outside interference or where wandering little hands, or cats can stalk. With this in mind, keep tanks out of direct sunlight and in secured locations.

* Types of fish. Make sure you understand what you want to buy fish wise. Some species will require more space than others. Also, some species simply don’t mix. You’ll find it’s not only a dog-eat-dog world, but also a fish-eat-fish one if you don’t plan accordingly.

When it comes to choosing Tropical Fish, do your homework. This means researching the different types of fish available, what size tanks they need and the kinds of environments they thrive in. Also, look for information on suitable companion fish and the kinds of special requirements these may have as well.

If you don’t know what you’re doing, check with the shop where you intend to buy the Tropical Fish first. Even if it’s an online shop, there should be a way to speak with pros before you invest in fish and a tank.

Once you’ve determined the space you have, some desired fish and a good location for an aquarium, it’s time to start shopping. Bear in mind that an aquarium is simply the holder for the fish and there’s a lot more that goes into creating the right environment for them. Check with the pros about oxygenation systems, filters, any salinity requirements, specialized chlorine removal, if necessary, and so on.

Tropical Fish can be a great investment. They can make good starter pets for youngsters and they can deliver a lot of enjoyment to any home they are in. But, like any pet, they require some care to thrive. An aquarium is an investment as are Tropical Fish. Making sure that investment is protected is smart. To do so, some basic knowledge will be necessary. Don’t forget to rely on the pros if you don’t know how to proceed.

Native from the Amazon River, yet successfully bred all over the world in aquariums, Discus fish are not too fragile or sensitive creatures. However, all breeders should be aware of the risks of Discus fish disease, as they are often exposed to various health problems because of improper care conditions. Saying that breeders are most often the ones responsible for the Discus fish diseases doesn’t mean we’re pointing the finger, this is the truth. Improper care, poor or inadequate living conditions, co-inhabitance with other breeds are usually responsible for the various Discus fish diseases.

The most common Discus fish diseases are the ones common to fresh water fish in general. For instance the ammonia poisoning is a Discus fish disease that appears because of improper nitrogen cycle in your aquarium. Don’t add Tropical Fish in the water until the ammonia has been eliminated in the water, and maybe the filters don’t function properly. In order to avoid this Discus fish disease, change the water regularly and avoid over-crowding the tank. The symptoms of this Discus fish disease include red and swollen gills and the fish staying at the water surface gasping for air.

Another Discus fish disease that results from poor water quality is the Ich or the white spot characterized by the appearance of white spots on the fish body and fins. The best way to fight this Discus fish disease is by increasing the water temperature and administrating medication available in any pet store. Before adding the medication for this type of Discus fish disease, take the carbon filter out as this may absorb all the useful substances. In case you want to bring other fish to the tank, make sure you use a quarantine aquarium in order to prevent any Discus fish disease.

If the water temperature is not appropriate you expose your pets to another Discus fish disease such as the oxygen starvation. A higher water temperature also requires an increased level of oxygen in the water. Therefore, you can easily avoid this Discus fish disease by taking care of the aeration level, speeding up the flow rate of the filters. You may want to turn off the tank light for a while, as this also causes temperature to rise and exposes the fish to the risk of the oxygen starvation Discus fish disease. All in all, keep in mind that the proper temperature for the Discus fish is 31 degrees Celsius at the maximum.

Image by Stefe via Flickr

With a compressed rounded body shape and gorgeous colors of green, red, brown and blue, Discus fish are among the most popular aquarium freshwater fish in the world. Native from the Amazon River, Discuss fish are spread all over the world being part of true industries in Asia, for instance. When they reach adulthood, Discuss fish are no larger than eight to ten inches and they make great pets, bringing a drop of lively color to your house. Make sure you know everything about the needs of this fish breed, though Discus fish are not very fragile, they still require a lot of care.

Discus fish make great aquarium inhabitants and they can be combined with other species in the habitat, the best choices would be the tetras or the uaru species. Generally Discus fish are very peaceful creatures; they are a bit sensitive to stress and a disturbing environment. However it is not too great an idea to combine them with fish that are a lot smaller, as the Discus fish may eat them. It is totally unadvisable to combine catfish with any variety of Discus fish since the former may eat the latter. Like all aquarium creatures, Discus fish require optimal living conditions; otherwise they are exposed to disease and may die.

As the natural water temperature the Discus fish are used to, is around 26-31 degrees Celsius, you will have to recreate and maintain the same conditions. Furthermore, in the wild, the environment Discus fish live in is slightly acid, so make sure you adjust the pH values to such coordinates, between 5.5 and 6.5 the pH is completely friendly to your pets. If the Discus fish were bred in captivity they may just as well adapt to higher pH values, but not during the mating season when you really have to provide optimal conditions.

Keep in mind that Discus fish are very clean animals, and the water you put in their tank has to be really clean, without the slightest trace of pollution. You need to use a high capacity filter to cycle the water continuously. There are plenty of information sources to learn more on Discus fish and their breeding; such a reliable site is www.discus-fish-secrets.com that will definitely assist you in satisfying the needs of your discus fish. Always stay informed on feeding and breeding habits of your friends, as you’re thus watching over their health.

Image via Wikipedia

Whoever wants to breed exotic fish needs special information on Discus care, since Discus fish are generally considered very sensitive creatures. A large part of Discus care should focus on creating the most proper living environment in a well proportionate water tank. Discus fish love deep water, so make sure the aquarium you are going to use is proper for the Discus group you want to colonize. In general terms Discus care presents no out of common issues; all the breeder needs is to preserve the correct water parameters necessary for healthy living conditions. Otherwise, things should go smoothly.

For instance an important element in Discus care is the weekly water change; however, since the Discus don’t like changes, only 25% of the tank volume should be freshened. Moreover, for special Discus care try to use a filter that eliminates the heavy metals and the chlorine without altering the water pH. Keep in mind that a larger water volume is easier to preserve stable as compared to a small tank for instance; therefore, Discus care should include this aspect too. In case you feed the Discus fish on beef-heart, make sure that you clean all the leftovers as these will ruin the water.

In case you’re having a separate tank with fry, special Discus care is required here. The reasons are simple, you feed them more and the water quality lowers, therefore in the case of baby Discus you need to change at least 30% of the water in the tank three times a week. Through Discus care, uneaten food and waste are eliminated, not to mention that the more simple you keep the aquarium the higher the water quality. If you use lots of plants and decorations, there will be more Discus care issues since they collect lots of dirt underneath. Consequently, avoid using them in baby Discus or breeding tanks.

For special tips on Discus care, have a look at a site such as www.discus-fish-secrets.com. Special attention should be paid to situations that involved increased discus care measures. I’m talking about the breeding period or in case there is some kind of disease that is affecting your fish. Should you notice any unusual changes, find some extra support and solutions besides the regular discus care. The vet or some professional breeder may assist you in some crisis situation involving discus health care, particularly since things may have gone out of control.

Image via Wikipedia

With the development of the Internet as the shared world market, Discus breeders have started to use it as a profitable means for commercial transactions. Many professional Discus breeders promote their businesses online as it is less expensive and opens them to a wider public. And the system actually works in the most profitable of ways. Thus if you want to buy some great exotic fish from an authorized Discus breeder all you need to do is perform a simple search on the Internet and see which is the closest facility in your neighborhood.

 It was actually the Internet with the many information materials that has actually proved that Discus fish are not such a big deal to handle and any careful Discus breeder, amateur and professional can be successful at forming a nice colony. Discus breeder forums on the Internet for instance are a great opportunity for those new to the field to learn as much as they can on the Discus secrets. In the past only professional Discus breeders where likely to grow these splendid fish, but now they make the joy of millions of aquariums all over the world.

For anyone who wants to be a Discus breeder, it is a good idea to acquire all the necessary knowledge to make breeding a true success. In the attempt of becoming a Discus breeder, a site such www.discus-fish-secrets.com will prove a great help, as it provides advanced information and tips for wanna-be discus breeders. First and foremost, you should learn about the tank dimensions and adjust it to the area where you want to place it. Discus breeders mention the importance to keep the fish away from noise or heat sources and preferably somewhere a little higher.

Keep in mind that, you can always ask a discus breeder for advice, particularly when you buy the fish from an authorized facility. Such people have an experience of years or even decades in the field and can fill you in on all the necessary details. Even when you buy the fish from an authorized discus breeder, you’ll still have to keep them in quarantine in a separate tank before you put them together with your other fish. Make sure you follow all the environment-associated measures in order to create most ‘natural’ conditions for your pets. There will be challenges for you as a discus breeder, but immense rewards too. Enjoy the experience!

Just as dogs make great companions, Discus fish make a great show. Breeding Discus as a hobby has become so popular that aquariums all over the world have become the home of this king of the exotic species. For some breeders, Discus as a hobby means an immense satisfaction particularly when one manages to get some baby Discus too. It is truly rewarding to see that what started with Discus as a hobby has turned into a life time experience and a true friendship. What is so special about Discus as a hobby? Apart from the great beauty of these fish, Discus are unique in their social and loving behavior.

Those who breed Discus as a hobby will be more than surprised to notice that the Discus show signs of connection to the environment outside the tank. For instance breeding Discus as a hobby implies spending lots of time around the tank, cleaning, feeding or simply watching the Discus. They are said to recognize the owner in time and they can get as close to you as to eat out of your hand. When breeding Discus as a hobby, some owners have noticed that the Discus will watch you move around the room or even react to TV noise.

Apart from such social behavior, Discus enjoy silence and a close community with other fellows from the same species. If you take Discus as a hobby, you may want to take into consideration that they prefer living in close communities that is together with several other members. The dominant Discus would be the first to couple, followed by the others if proper conditions are met. Even if you breed Discus as a hobby you may still have to separate the couples in a different tank allowing them to raise their fry.

For everyone who takes Discus as a hobby, it is important that all the proper living conditions are kept under constant observation. You should not use for instance a too powerful lamp for your Discus; as a hobby you’d like to keep them in the spot light, but this warms the water above the accepted level and reduces the oxygen quantity. There is a short step to take between breeding Discus as a hobby and breeding them at a professional level, after all, Discus require the same attention no matter your devotion. Even if you take Discus as a hobby, you still have to pay attention to their needs all the time!

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Creating the proper environment for Discus fish involves a certain amount of work and documentation for achieving the best living conditions exotic fish needs. The first question you need to answer about your Discus aquarium refers to the tank size. This very much depends on the room you’ve got at home and your financial availability. The Discus aquarium should include a deep tank as these fish feel better in lots of water, not to mention that the more the water, the more stable the conditions. Hence, the Discus aquarium should be at least 120 cm x 40 cm x 50 cm.

The position of the Discus aquarium is very important precisely since the Discus are very shy fish when they distrust the surroundings. Make sure the Discus aquarium is far from any noise or direct heat and light sources. Heat in excess causes plant overgrowth, while also reducing the level of oxygen. The Discus aquarium should also be positioned somewhere high as these fish are disturbed by movement, and it is not advisable to cause them undue stress. Then, the next big issue for a Discus aquarium is the stratum you place on the bottom.

In case you create the Discus aquarium for display purposes then fine gravel is great to place on the bottom of your tank, but if you use it only for breeding than leave the bottom uncovered. Thus, the Discus aquarium is easier to clean as you need to disturb the fish as little as possible during the mating period. As for the plants for your Discus aquarium, it is best to go for the natural ones, even if the plastic may look great. Presently you can even order the plant selection for your Discus aquarium by mail and have it delivered at home.

Since many people are concerned about the aesthetic dimension of their Discus aquarium you may choose rocks and driftwood as decorations. Such items are close to the Discus fish native waters where they mainly serve as shelter. Be careful with the kind of rocks you use in your Discus aquarium since they should not contain any metal ore or other contaminants. Rocks of the same color and texture are recommended though you may bring diversity to your Discus aquarium. Similar texture prevents functionality problems particularly when the rocks have the same provenience, so, you may have to sacrifice some of the good looks for the health of your pets.