Urgent: Saving my fish!

[dawnfox9]

My Discus are acting weird, staying near the surface and not eating. Water params are good, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, nitrate at 10 ppm. Tank is 75 gallons, temp at 84°F, T5 lighting, sand substrate. Changed 30% water yesterday. Any ideas?

[DiscusDare]

Surface hanging could mean low oxygen or gill irritation. What's your filtration setup? Also, check for any recent additions like new plants or decor. Sometimes contaminants hitchhike in.

[TwinTankman]

Agree with DiscusDare. Run an airstone if you don't have one already. And double-check your heater's accuracy. I've seen faulty heaters cause similar behavior. What's your feeding routine like?

[Finwise]

My Discus did this once after I added driftwood. Turns out it was leaching tannins too fast. Maybe something's messing with your water chemistry subtly. Test for pH swings.

[Sparkle]

Are they gasping? Could be parasites. Have you noticed any flashing or clamped fins?

[DuskFlyer]

My Discus did this once after I added driftwood. Turns out it was leaching tannins too fast. Maybe something's messing with your water chemistry subtly. Test for pH swings.

Yep, tannins can sketch out Discus. Did you boil that wood first? Also, what's your water change schedule?

[daintree]

Surface hanging's classic for oxygen issues or ammonia spikes, but your params look solid. Any chance your test kit's expired? Try a second kit or LFS test. Also, what's the flow like in there?

[dawnfox9]

Thanks, everyone. I'll test with another kit and add an airstone. Filtration is a Fluval FX6, flow's strong but not turbulent. Feeding once daily with frozen bloodworms and pellets.

[DiscusDare]

Thanks, everyone. I'll test with another kit and add an airstone. Filtration is a Fluval FX6, flow's strong but not turbulent. Feeding once daily with frozen bloodworms and pellets.

FX6 should be plenty. Maybe cut back on bloodworms for a bit—they're fatty. Try soaked pellets with garlic guard to stimulate appetite.

[TwinTankman]

Second the garlic trick. Also, check your filter media. If it's clogged, flow might seem strong but actual turnover could be low. When's the last time you cleaned the impeller?