why my discus has red gills?

[Lido]

Noticed my discus has red gills today. Tank's a 55 gallon, temp at 86F, pH 6.5. Been feeding them frozen bloodworms and beef heart mix twice a day. Water change every 3 days, about 30%. Filter's a Fluval 307, substrate is sand. No new tankmates added recently. Anyone know what's up?

[angelic]

Red gills can indicate ammonia or nitrite spikes, even if your test kit reads zero. Check for dissolved organics or hidden debris in the substrate. Also, ensure your filter media isn't clogged. What's your nitrate level? Discus are sensitive to poor water quality, so frequent testing is key. Have you noticed any labored breathing or clamped fins?

[Cody]

Yo, sounds sketchy. My dude had the same thing last month. Turned out the heater was busted, temp swings messed with him. Double-check your heater's working right. Also, maybe cut back on the bloodworms, they're kinda fatty. Try some brine shrimp or pellets for a bit. How old's your fish?

[landfall]

Yo, sounds sketchy. My dude had the same thing last month. Turned out the heater was busted, temp swings messed with him. Double-check your heater's working right. Also, maybe cut back on the bloodworms, they're kinda fatty. Try some brine shrimp or pellets for a bit. How old's your fish?

Good point. Temp stability's huge for discus. Lido, what's your heater brand? Also, red gills can sometimes mean parasites. You dosing any meds lately? If not, maybe grab some General Cure just in case.

[Magpie]

My bet's on water quality too. Even if params look good, dissolved organics can build up. Try adding some activated carbon to your filter for a week. Also, how's the flow in your tank? Too much current can stress them out. My discus hated the Fluval spray bar, had to dial it way back.

[Swiftsea]

Red gills are often a sign of irritation. Check for sharp decor or rough substrate edges. Discus are prone to scratching themselves. Also, consider adding Indian almond leaves—they've got natural anti-inflammatory properties. What's your lighting schedule? Too much light can sometimes cause stress.

[Lido]

Thanks for the tips, everyone. Nitrates are at 10ppm, heater's a Eheim Jager, seems fine. Gonna test for ammonia again and maybe grab some General Cure. Appreciate the help!

[angelic]

Thanks for the tips, everyone. Nitrates are at 10ppm, heater's a Eheim Jager, seems fine. Gonna test for ammonia again and maybe grab some General Cure. Appreciate the help!

Good plan. Keep us posted. If the redness spreads or behavior changes, consider isolating the fish. Sometimes it's just a minor irritation, but better safe than sorry.

[Cody]

Yep, keep an eye on it. My dude chilled out after a few days with cleaner water and less junk food. Hope yours bounces back quick!