discus aggression during feeding

[luxe]

My discus get super aggressive when I feed them, especially with beef heart. They chase each other around the tank and nip fins. Tank is 75 gallons, 6 discus, 2 angelfish, sand substrate, planted with Amazon swords. Water params are good, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 10 nitrate. Temp at 84F, weekly 50% water changes. Anyone else deal with this? It's sketchy how intense they get.

[thart]

Aggression during feeding is common with discus, especially in crowded tanks. Your tank size is decent, but the angelfish might be adding stress. Try spreading the food across the tank to reduce competition. Also, consider feeding smaller amounts more frequently. What's your current feeding schedule?

[Coralite]

I've seen this too! My discus chill out when I feed them in smaller groups. Maybe try dividing the tank with a temporary barrier during feeding? It's worked for me. My tank is 55 gallons, 5 discus, no other fish. I use a sponge filter and keep the temp at 82F. Water changes every 5 days.

[Bolden]

My discus get super aggressive when I feed them, especially with beef heart. They chase each other around the tank and nip fins. Tank is 75 gallons, 6 discus, 2 angelfish, sand substrate, planted with Amazon swords. Water params are good, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 10 nitrate. Temp at 84F, weekly 50% water changes. Anyone else deal with this? It's sketchy how intense they get.

Beef heart is high in protein, which can trigger aggression. Try mixing in more plant-based foods or pellets to balance their diet. Also, ensure your tank has enough hiding spots. How's your lighting setup?

[dandyfish]

I had the same issue until I switched to auto-feeders. Now they get small portions throughout the day, and the aggression dropped. My tank is 90 gallons, 8 discus, no tankmates. I use LED lights on a timer, 8 hours a day. Substrate is bare bottom for easier cleaning.

[Magus]

Aggression during feeding is often a dominance thing. The bigger discus will bully the smaller ones. You might wanna separate the aggressive ones during feeding. My tank is 60 gallons, 4 discus, and I use a canister filter. Temp at 83F, water changes twice a week.

[luxe]

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I'll try spreading the food and maybe cut back on the beef heart. Appreciate the tips!

[bowsar]

I've seen this too! My discus chill out when I feed them in smaller groups. Maybe try dividing the tank with a temporary barrier during feeding? It's worked for me. My tank is 55 gallons, 5 discus, no other fish. I use a sponge filter and keep the temp at 82F. Water changes every 5 days.

Yep, dividing the tank works wonders. I use a mesh divider during feeding, and my discus are way less stressed. Tank is 65 gallons, 7 discus, no other fish. I feed them a mix of flakes and frozen brine shrimp.

[Sand]

I've noticed my discus are less aggressive when I feed them after a water change. Maybe it's the fresh water? My tank is 50 gallons, 5 discus, and I use a HOB filter. Temp at 85F, water changes every 4 days. I also dim the lights during feeding.

[Fuegoz]

My discus used to fight during feeding until I added more plants. Now they have places to hide, and the aggression is way down. Tank is 70 gallons, 6 discus, no other fish. I use a mix of sand and driftwood, with Java ferns and Anubias.