Who Gives A Fish Forums

Hi everyone, I've been reading everything here and you guys are great, I've tried problem solving based on all the great advice but I lost a fish this morning and I feel like I'm doing everything right but I keep having problems. So, any advice would be great, I'm getting nervous with all the conflicting information.

I have a 70-gallon tank with seven Discus, the filter is established, Ammonia 0, Nitrites 0, Nitrates around 5PPM. I do a 30% water change daily, bare bottom tank, and vacuum everything every evening. Two HOB filters, an AquaClear 110 and a TopFin for 75G.

I posted here weeks ago about a Hex problem, I followed all advice, raised the temp to 90, treated with metro, though it didn't dissolve well. The fish that stopped eating started again, everyone seemed better. I did the Ph test, no swing in the Ph. After they felt better, I lowered the temp by 1 degree every other day. Then the white, stringy poop came back, they were eating, so I added meds to their food with Focus and raised the temp again. They seemed great, energetic, so I brought the temp back down to 88, kept the meds in their food. Scarlett was always unhappy, facing the back of the tank.

Now, I've raised the temp to 91, dosed the tank with 3/4 teaspoon of metro, and added aquarium salt. I'm determined to solve this problem and raise them to be happy and healthy. But, I have one huge bully, Biff, he goes after every fish except the runt, attacking like crazy now. All of them are fighting, mouth to mouth, three separate fights at one time. I read that higher temp will cause them to fight, I can put up with that for 10 days.

I'm worried they'll feel better and then this will happen again. I think I may have been under-dosing them, the required dosage was just too much medicine to fit into their food. I was giving 1.5 scoops of metroplex, 1 scoop of focus, a few drops of Garlic Guard, once a day.

I'm trying SO hard, I feel like I'm doing everything right but failing. Sorry for the long post and for being emotional but I really want to save the rest of these fish and it seems the solution to the parasite is causing them all to attack one another. KUDOS to all of you who have this down, MUCH respect and many thanks for any advice.

Re: Frustrated, seeking advice

I'm starting to question my metro dosing, I was wondering, are you guys suggesting I dose at 500 mg per 10 gallons for 12 days? I've been trying to follow the instructions but I'm worried I might be under-dosing them, and that's why I'm still having problems.

Re: Frustrated, seeking advice

Over the years of observing discus behavior, I've developed a theory that goes beyond territorial and aggressive behavior. Discus can form bonds with some tankmates, ignore others, or even engage in what appears to be fighting. But what if this behavior isn't always as serious as we think? Animals, including discus, need to exercise and develop their muscles. Sparring can be a form of exercise, helping them grow stronger. I'm not suggesting that all aggressive behavior is harmless, but maybe we're overthinking it. Perhaps some of what we see as aggressive behavior is actually a sign of a healthy, active discus.

Re: Frustrated, seeking advice

Honestly, it's tough to pinpoint the exact issue without more info. Did you stick to the metro treatment plan and complete the full 10-day cycle? Pics of the fish and tank setup would really help us get a better understanding of what's going on.

Re: Frustrated, seeking advice

I did the 12-day treatment and they seemed better for a while. But I'm not sure I was giving them the right dose in their food - it seemed like they'd have to eat a ton to get it all. I mean, how do you even get that much medication into one feeding?

I'm having some issues with photo attachments, so I'll try to figure that out. For the water column dose yesterday, I used one gram per 20 gallons - or at least, that's what I was aiming for. I don't have a gram scale, but I'm picking one up today. Based on some other threads, I used 3/4 teaspoon for the whole tank.

This morning, they seem calmer and everyone's eating. I'll get the scale, do a water change, and re-dose with the right amount.

I was thinking, maybe with Scarlett gone, their pecking order got thrown off and that's why they're fighting. I don't know, just a thought.

Thanks for taking the time to answer - I'm sure you've seen these questions a million times. I'll keep reading and learning everything I can.

I've been re-reading the instructions for MetroPlex and I'm realizing now that my dosage might be off. When mixing it into food, the water volume doesn't matter, right? It's just the amount of MetroPlex per scoop of food. According to the recipe, it's 1 scoop MetroPlex, 1 scoop Focus, and 1 tbsp of food. I was giving 1.5 scoops of MetroPlex, 1 scoop of Focus, and a few drops of Garlic Guard to enough food for a feeding, once a day. I think I might have been overdosing them by 50% - I was adding 1.5 scoops of MetroPlex to 1 tbsp of food, not 1 scoop. Does that sound right?

Re: Frustrated, seeking advice

I'm using MetroPlex, not pure metronidazole. I was trying to follow the dosage instructions, but I'm not sure I was getting it right. I've been dosing with 3/4 teaspoon for the whole tank, and I just raised the temp to 91 degrees with aquarium salt. I'm trying to get the meds right this time, and I'll make sure to use the correct dosage with the new gram scale I'm picking up today.

Re: Frustrated, seeking advice

I'm really grateful for your help. I think the first time I treated the tank, my math was off. I followed the instructions for dosing in the food, but I always wondered if the medication was getting into the tank at feeding time, even with the Focus. I now have a scale and will continue dosing the tank as recommended, and I'll keep the temperature up for the full 12 days. Your input has given me more confidence, and I truly appreciate it.