New Red Torquoise Discus

Cosmic Charlie · 01-12-2006, 09:05 PM

Hello all,

I recently picked up a 2" Red Torquoise discus at my lfs. Ever since it's been in my tank (about a week), it's been really stressed. It stays at the back of the tank about 95% of the time, and stays almost solid black a large amount of the time as well. The other discus (cobalt) I got the very same day almost instantaneously swam to the front of the tank and is very sociable. Is the red torquoise just getting aclimated to the new tank? I've heard that sometimes it may take discus a month or so to feel comfortable in a new environment.

Thanks

leveldrummer · 01-12-2006, 11:30 PM

ive never kept them, but i know that they are very shy, do you have any other tank mates with them that might be affecting its behavior besides the cobalt? and how dare you post a thread about your "new" discus, and not put a picture on here too, thats just rude...

**Damon** · 01-13-2006, 06:22 AM

Discus are shy when being introduced. What??? No pics??? Not fair!!!!!

ron v · 01-13-2006, 06:47 AM

If your discus is in that 100 gal. mentioned in your sig.... I think your problem is that the tankmates are to active. Discus need to be in a peacefull tank. The angelfish would be OK as would the corys.

Cosmic Charlie · 01-13-2006, 06:54 AM

I appreciate the quick responses. I'll have to get some pictures posted on here. The other two discus that are in the tank are just as normal as can be. They have their normal colors with no signs of stress at all. It's just the one that seems to be stressed. When I first added the snakeskin, it acted like this for about a week or two just not so much. So I guess since all fish have their own personality, this one is just a little bit more shy than the rest. I'll give it some time and hope that it turns around. How in the world do you determine what sex the discus are?

Cosmic Charlie · 01-13-2006, 09:32 AM

I took a few pictures. It let me realize how badly I need to clean the windows of the tank.

leveldrummer · 01-13-2006, 01:29 PM

gotta love those fish, thanks, i take back that comment about you being mean and rude, nice fish!

Lisachromis · 01-13-2006, 02:51 PM

I really have to stress the importance of quarantine here. Discus are notorious for succumbing to disease after being placed into new tanks containing other discus. I'm not talking a 2 week quarantine either. I'm talking at least a month and you can't use the same hoses, nets, etc. for the tanks. Discus are also very sociable. Young discus do better in bare bottom tanks. Your fish are probably not used to having a substrate. Also, if you notice, the eyes seem rather large for the size of the fish. That tends to be an indication that the discus is most likely stunted. I hope that your new discus comes around for you. Good food and lots of water changes may help him/her out a lot!

Good luck

Cosmic Charlie · 01-23-2006, 08:01 PM

I just wanted you to know that the new discus is doing much better. It has been a frequent visitor of the front of tank, and is starting to show its true colors now. It is lots more curious about seeing what's going on these days rather than keeping to itself. Thanks for your advice. I have a new neon purple picture. I'll have to get a picture up for you. It adapted very quickly in comparison to the one that I previously discussed with you.

Thanks again...

Discus lover · 02-22-2006, 03:10 PM

hi i can see that ur camera is doing the discus no favors

what camera did you use

they all look a bit washed out

its hard taking good pics

did you try switching all lights of in the room ?

and i think Lisachromis is right youre fish look stunted

and i also think that you should at least keep 6 discus in a 100gal tank

they will do much better especialy juveniles

Cosmic Charlie · 02-22-2006, 03:21 PM

So what you guys are saying is... my little 2" discus are done growing? Even the 4"? So did this stunt occur before I got them, or after I got them?

In regards to the camera used, it's the 4MP Kodak with the 10x optical zoom. It was a great camera for the money, but I don't recommend it if you are interested in manually focusing your pictures (unless there's a way to do it that I'm not aware of).

Georgia Peach · 02-22-2006, 04:52 PM

nice fish!

What causes stunt in growth?? just curious..

manda · 02-22-2006, 06:01 PM

i wanna know too. since i am certin i am giong to be a discus keeper in the future

ron v · 02-23-2006, 06:31 AM

Clean water and good food are very important for young fish of any type. Most hobbyist don't have the facilities to provide this. Stunting is the result.

ron v · 02-23-2006, 06:33 AM

I forgot to add.... Cosmic, the stunting is not a reflection on your fish keeping ability. It probably happened before you got the fish.

Georgia Peach · 02-23-2006, 11:12 AM

OIC, thanks Ron!

Cosmic Charlie · 02-23-2006, 12:07 PM

Yes...thanks. I still am not clear as to whether or not my discus are done growing. Anyone?

Thanks...

kstkrt · 02-25-2006, 02:42 PM

I've heard that high Nitrates will cause stunted growth....

(ie topping off the tank without doing water changes)

Discus lover · 02-25-2006, 02:48 PM

Also do you worm youre discus regulary

you should do it every month to keep them free form parasites and worms

also i would get rid of al the other bigish fish in youre tank and get some tetras

cardinals tetras or rummynose tetras

and get 6 or 8 discus you should at least have 6 discus in youre tank as juveniles do better in larger groups

also id check youre nitites as youre fish look like they have a nititeburn on the fin

hope that helps

ps what are youre water parametres?

Cosmic Charlie · 02-25-2006, 03:00 PM

Gotta tell ya...Never heard of working fish. Please tell me how to do this if it's necesary.

Water parameters:
ph: 6.2-6.8 (depending upon when you check it)
Amm: 0
NO2: 0
NO3: 10-20

Still wondering...any idea about my discus growing larger than their present sizes?

01-12-2006, 09:05 PM	#1
Cosmic Charlie Phish lover Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Lilburn, Georgia Age: 34 Posts: 96	New Red Torquoise Discus Hello all, I recently picked up a 2" Red Torquoise discus at my lfs. Ever since it's been in my tank (about a week), it's been really stressed. It stays at the back of the tank about 95% of the time, and stays almost solid black a large amount of the time as well. The other discus (cobalt) I got the very same day almost instantaneously swam to the front of the tank and is very sociable. Is the red torquoise just getting aclimated to the new tank? I've heard that sometimes it may take discus a month or so to feel comfortable in a new environment. Thanks

01-13-2006, 06:22 AM	#3
Damon Aquatic Naturalist Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dayton, Ohio Age: 32 Posts: 14,982	Discus are shy when being introduced. What??? No pics??? Not fair!!!!! __________________ For in much wisdom [is] much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Member of the AGA (Aquatic Gardner's Association) Member of the IBC (International Betta Congress)

01-13-2006, 02:51 PM	#8
Lisachromis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 280	I really have to stress the importance of quarantine here. Discus are notorious for succumbing to disease after being placed into new tanks containing other discus. I'm not talking a 2 week quarantine either. I'm talking at least a month and you can't use the same hoses, nets, etc. for the tanks. Discus are also very sociable. Young discus do better in bare bottom tanks. Your fish are probably not used to having a substrate. Also, if you notice, the eyes seem rather large for the size of the fish. That tends to be an indication that the discus is most likely stunted. I hope that your new discus comes around for you. Good food and lots of water changes may help him/her out a lot! Good luck __________________ Lisa's Lair Cichlid Room Companion

02-22-2006, 03:10 PM	#10
Discus lover Fishy Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Age: 36 Posts: 12	hi i can see that ur camera is doing the discus no favors what camera did you use they all look a bit washed out its hard taking good pics did you try switching all lights of in the room ? and i think Lisachromis is right youre fish look stunted and i also think that you should at least keep 6 discus in a 100gal tank they will do much better especialy juveniles Last edited by Discus lover; 02-22-2006 at 03:16 PM.

02-22-2006, 04:52 PM	#12
Georgia Peach Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Gray, Georgia Age: 42 Posts: 1,581	nice fish! What causes stunt in growth?? just curious.. __________________ *Cichlids have more personality than most people I know !*

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01-12-2006, 11:30 PM	#2
leveldrummer something like a pimp Join Date: May 2005 Location: atlanta Age: 29 Posts: 1,933	ive never kept them, but i know that they are very shy, do you have any other tank mates with them that might be affecting its behavior besides the cobalt? and how dare you post a thread about your "new" discus, and not put a picture on here too, thats just rude...

01-13-2006, 06:47 AM	#4
ron v Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Alabama Age: 61 Posts: 1,123	If your discus is in that 100 gal. mentioned in your sig.... I think your problem is that the tankmates are to active. Discus need to be in a peacefull tank. The angelfish would be OK as would the corys.

01-13-2006, 06:54 AM	#5
Cosmic Charlie Phish lover Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Lilburn, Georgia Age: 34 Posts: 96	I appreciate the quick responses. I'll have to get some pictures posted on here. The other two discus that are in the tank are just as normal as can be. They have their normal colors with no signs of stress at all. It's just the one that seems to be stressed. When I first added the snakeskin, it acted like this for about a week or two just not so much. So I guess since all fish have their own personality, this one is just a little bit more shy than the rest. I'll give it some time and hope that it turns around. How in the world do you determine what sex the discus are?

01-13-2006, 01:29 PM	#7
leveldrummer something like a pimp Join Date: May 2005 Location: atlanta Age: 29 Posts: 1,933	gotta love those fish, thanks, i take back that comment about you being mean and rude, nice fish!

01-23-2006, 08:01 PM	#9
Cosmic Charlie Phish lover Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Lilburn, Georgia Age: 34 Posts: 96	I just wanted you to know that the new discus is doing much better. It has been a frequent visitor of the front of tank, and is starting to show its true colors now. It is lots more curious about seeing what's going on these days rather than keeping to itself. Thanks for your advice. I have a new neon purple picture. I'll have to get a picture up for you. It adapted very quickly in comparison to the one that I previously discussed with you. Thanks again...

02-22-2006, 03:21 PM	#11
Cosmic Charlie Phish lover Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Lilburn, Georgia Age: 34 Posts: 96	So what you guys are saying is... my little 2" discus are done growing? Even the 4"? So did this stunt occur before I got them, or after I got them? In regards to the camera used, it's the 4MP Kodak with the 10x optical zoom. It was a great camera for the money, but I don't recommend it if you are interested in manually focusing your pictures (unless there's a way to do it that I'm not aware of).

02-22-2006, 06:01 PM	#13
manda Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: southren KY Age: 21 Posts: 450	i wanna know too. since i am certin i am giong to be a discus keeper in the future __________________ Proud mom of a SHELTIE 10 gallon: 6 black neon tetras, 1 male betta, 6 ghost shrimp 5.5 gallon divided: two male bettas 1/2 gallon: male betta 1 gallon: male betta 5.5 gallon: empty!!! ALSO mommy to two house rabbits! Ryo and Alex

02-23-2006, 06:31 AM	#14
ron v Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Alabama Age: 61 Posts: 1,123	Clean water and good food are very important for young fish of any type. Most hobbyist don't have the facilities to provide this. Stunting is the result.

02-23-2006, 06:33 AM	#15
ron v Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Alabama Age: 61 Posts: 1,123	I forgot to add.... Cosmic, the stunting is not a reflection on your fish keeping ability. It probably happened before you got the fish.

02-23-2006, 11:12 AM	#16
Georgia Peach Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Gray, Georgia Age: 42 Posts: 1,581	OIC, thanks Ron! __________________ *Cichlids have more personality than most people I know !*

02-23-2006, 12:07 PM	#17
Cosmic Charlie Phish lover Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Lilburn, Georgia Age: 34 Posts: 96	Yes...thanks. I still am not clear as to whether or not my discus are done growing. Anyone? Thanks...

02-25-2006, 02:42 PM	#18
kstkrt Fishy Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Powder Springs, GA Age: 35 Posts: 17	I've heard that high Nitrates will cause stunted growth.... (ie topping off the tank without doing water changes)

02-25-2006, 02:48 PM	#19
Discus lover Fishy Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Age: 36 Posts: 12	hi Also do you worm youre discus regulary you should do it every month to keep them free form parasites and worms also i would get rid of al the other bigish fish in youre tank and get some tetras cardinals tetras or rummynose tetras and get 6 or 8 discus you should at least have 6 discus in youre tank as juveniles do better in larger groups also id check youre nitites as youre fish look like they have a nititeburn on the fin hope that helps ps what are youre water parametres? Last edited by Discus lover; 02-25-2006 at 02:50 PM.

02-25-2006, 03:00 PM	#20
Cosmic Charlie Phish lover Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Lilburn, Georgia Age: 34 Posts: 96	Gotta tell ya...Never heard of working fish. Please tell me how to do this if it's necesary. Water parameters: ph: 6.2-6.8 (depending upon when you check it) Amm: 0 NO2: 0 NO3: 10-20 Still wondering...any idea about my discus growing larger than their present sizes?

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