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hi there. i have three mature discus that i've had for about 4 years. they are about 6" long (and tall) and live in a 40G tank with three rummynose. i haven't added any new livestock to the tank for at least 2 years. the tank is decorated with pieces of driftwood and several large artificial plants.

i do about a 40% water change each week in order to keep the water quality excellent (ammonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrate <20ppm, pH around 6.5). the tank is filtered with a fluval 204 and a small powerhead to create extra surface agitation. the temperature is kept around 82F.

i feed them a variety of frozen and prepared foods, including a diet that i make myself from beefheart, fish, shrimp, vegetables, etc...

so.... that's the background information. hope its enough to go on!

anyhow, recently one of the discus has been hanging off by himself lately. the two others have always been "close" (they've never spawned) but didn't seem to mind having him around. within the last week or so, the 'third wheel' has been listing near the top or the edges of the tank, often hovering in a head-down position. the two others don't outright bully him (he's still 'allowed' to eat) and there is no serious aggression (there is no biting or ramming or nipping). they simply swim up towards him, hover next to him, then he retreats.

it has always been this way to some extent, but recently the 'third wheel' has been breathing a little heavily (not rapidly, but larger 'breaths') and his gills seem to stick out a little from under the gill plate. they are not red or inflamed. otherwise, he looks to be in good health. there are no marks or growths or spots or cuts on him, and, as i said, he still eats and moves around. i'm just worried that he is stressed and may get sick because of it.

short of moving him to his own tank (i really don't want to risk relocating him!) is there anything you can suggest?

thanks in advance!

I suggest adding a couple of discus, bringing the total number of discus to five. You don't need to add full adults due to the size of your tank. In your case, I would opt for a couple of 3 inch (sans tails) fish. The increase in discus should make your "odd" fish less submissive.

Of course, the bio-load in your tank will increase so that means... water changes! You will probably need to increase your weekly water change to twice each week.

According to Jack Wattley, adult discus exude a growth inhibiting hormone. If that statement is true then the fish that you add will always lag your exisitng fish in size.

By the way, I consider any advice that recommends, "Buy more fish!" to be great advice!



__________
"To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research."
researched from Steven Wright

no kidding! that sounds too good to be true... i always thought that tank was maxed out! but, i would love to add a few more. hmmm, interesting. i'll definitely consider that!

If two of your Discus are hanging together, then it sounds like you have a breeding pair, my friend! I totally recommend having around 5 discus, that should fix the little guy being a third wheel, but not in a 40gal! Once they get bigger, there'll be no room for them to swim! I suggest moving them into bigger quarters before considering any more fish.

You may be treading a fine line with 5 discus in your 40 gallon but with good maintenance and water changes, you should be fine.

If the pair really start harassing the odd ball, consider shifting the pair to a 20 gallon bare bottom breeder tank.



__________
"To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research."
researched from Steven Wright

well, thanks for the advice guys, but unfortunately my 'third wheel' died today.

i really don't think it was from harrasment, because he was pretty much the picture of good health. i'm pretty stumped as to what happened. it's really quite sad.

but, i guess as long as the other two look good, i won't worry too much. these things happen i guess.

thanks again

Oh no! I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. It's always sad when one of your fishy friends die. However, at least your other discus are fine, and if they are hanging around together quite a fair bit, you may wake up to find some eggs .

I would carefully observe the pair to ensure that the dominant fish does not begin to harass its tank mate. Unfortunately, this is common discus behavior. It may result in the death of the less dominant fish.




__________
"To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research."
researched from Steven Wright