Who Gives A Fish Forums

Glad to help. Just remember, consistency's key with these fish. If you're gonna switch foods, do it gradually over a week or so. My tank's got a mix of adults and juvies, and they all respond better to slow changes. Oh, and keep an eye on their poop—weird vibes there can mean digestion issues ...

Yep, flakes are kinda meh for these guys. Mine won't even look at 'em unless they're starving. I've had better luck with freeze-dried blackworms as a treat. Tank's a 55-gallon with a sponge filter, and I keep the lights low to reduce stress. Oh, and temp's at 86°F 'cause my crew's still juvies.

Thanks for the input, everyone. Gonna try the black background first and see how they react. Appreciate the tips on lighting and water params too.

What's the best background for a Discus tank? I've got a 75 gallon with sand substrate, driftwood, and some Amazon swords. Trying to decide between solid black, a natural river scene, or maybe a planted background. My fish are about 4 inches, and I do 50% water changes twice a week. Heater's set at ...

Mine were the same way until I added dither fish. Got some cardinal tetras and they helped a ton. Now the Discus are out all the time. Just make sure the tetras are healthy so they don't freak 'em out more.

Yo, that smell is sketchy. Had the same issue last year. Turned out my pleco was hoarding food under the driftwood. Check all the nooks, especially if you've got caves. Also, how often do you clean the FX6? Those sponges can get nasty.

Summer's the worst. I had to add a chiller after my tank hit 83°F one July. Corals looked pissed for weeks. Now I keep it at 79°F year-round, no excuses.

Y'all overthink it. 77–80°F is the sweet spot, full stop. My mixed tank's been at 79°F for years, no drama. Just keep it stable—wild swings mess with their vibe. Running a 120-gallon with T5/LED hybrid, and even the picky Acros are growing.

I'd say two or three caves max, spaced out. Too many and it'll look cluttered. Also, make sure they're big enough for them to turn around in. My dudes love their personal space.


Yep, and if you've got tankmates, keep an eye on aggression. My Angels used to hog the caves till I added more hiding ...

I had the same issue with my group. Switched to floating plants like Frogbit to diffuse the light, and they started coming out more. Also, avoid sudden movements near the tank. They're like little ninjas, spook easy.