Who Gives A Fish Forums

Gravel's sketchy for Discus, imo. They're delicate, and sharp edges can mess with their barbels. Sand's softer and lets 'em forage like they would in the wild. My tank's been way more stable since I switched.

Discus are sensitive to noise and vibrations. Is the tank near a high-traffic area or loud appliances? Even a washing machine nearby can make them skittish. Also, how's their appetite? If they're eating fine, it's probably just temporary stress.

Re: Males or females?

Honestly, I'm no expert, but based on what I'm seeing, I think you've got two males on your hands. The one at the bottom, to me, is definitely a male.