I've never had a sick discus, just what I'd call personality disorders. Every group I've raised recently has had a bully and a doormat. I mean, one aggressive discus that won't stop picking on the others.
I just got some 2" Snakeskins and, sure enough, I've got another bully. They're in a 15-gallon quarantine tank and one of them harasses the others during feeding time. The food is spread out, so the timid ones manage to grab a bite or two, but not enough for healthy growth. It's driving me crazy.
This has happened with three different groups - Blue Diamond, Cobalt, and Snakeskin - from two suppliers, probably siblings. Am I just unlucky, or is this behavior common? I never had issues like this with my Turquoise discus years ago.
Two-inch Bully
Re: Two-inch Bully
I've encountered similar issues with my discus, although not to this extent. It's not uncommon for discus to exhibit aggressive behavior, especially among siblings. I'd consider isolating the bully in a separate tank or, if that's not feasible, use a tank separator to keep them apart. This way, you can ensure the more timid ones get enough to eat and grow out healthily.
Re: Two-inch Bully
Re: Two-inch Bully
Originally posted by Blazer
I've tried separating the bullies before, but it didn't work out. I put them back in the community tank and they just went back to their old ways. I even tried holding out for three months, thinking things would settle down. No such luck. I had an absolutely stunning Cobalt that I kept separate for that long, but in the end, I gave him to someone who keeps him alone with some other fish.
Today, I put a divider in the quarantine tank with the new Snakeskins. I'm hoping for better luck this time.
Originally posted by Blazer
I've tried separating the bullies before, but it didn't work out. I put them back in the community tank and they just went back to their old ways. I even tried holding out for three months, thinking things would settle down. No such luck. I had an absolutely stunning Cobalt that I kept separate for that long, but in the end, I gave him to someone who keeps him alone with some other fish.
Today, I put a divider in the quarantine tank with the new Snakeskins. I'm hoping for better luck this time.
Re: Two-inch Bully
Re: Two-inch Bully
Discus naturally establish a pecking order, which is quite normal. However, a 15g QT tank is quite cramped, and with only a handful of discus, this pecking order can easily escalate into aggression. If a larger QT tank isn't feasible, my guess is that they'll calm down once they're out of quarantine. Hopefully, this aggression won't persist in a larger tank...
Discus naturally establish a pecking order, which is quite normal. However, a 15g QT tank is quite cramped, and with only a handful of discus, this pecking order can easily escalate into aggression. If a larger QT tank isn't feasible, my guess is that they'll calm down once they're out of quarantine. Hopefully, this aggression won't persist in a larger tank...
Re: Two-inch Bully
Originally posted by Jumper
Discus will always try to establish a pecking order so that part is common. But, a 15g QT tank is pretty small can turn pecking into aggression, especially with only 4 or 5 discus. If you can't use a larger QT tank, my guess is they will calm down after QT. Hopefully it won't retain this aggression after they are in a larger tank...
I've always been told the opposite, that smaller tanks are better for juvenile discus. Most breeders I've read about recommend this approach for faster growth. I recall one breeder saying they keep up to 20 babies in a 20-gallon tank. My setup is even smaller than that, with just 5 discus. I'm not convinced that a larger tank is the solution, at least not at this stage.
Discus will always try to establish a pecking order so that part is common. But, a 15g QT tank is pretty small can turn pecking into aggression, especially with only 4 or 5 discus. If you can't use a larger QT tank, my guess is they will calm down after QT. Hopefully it won't retain this aggression after they are in a larger tank...
I've always been told the opposite, that smaller tanks are better for juvenile discus. Most breeders I've read about recommend this approach for faster growth. I recall one breeder saying they keep up to 20 babies in a 20-gallon tank. My setup is even smaller than that, with just 5 discus. I'm not convinced that a larger tank is the solution, at least not at this stage.
Re: Two-inch Bully
Re: Two-inch Bully
That's funny. Most breeders recommend keeping small juvenile discus in smaller tanks. Here's a quote from one of them...
I use my 20 gallon tanks for breeding tanks and to house up to 20 babies 2 ˝ inch discus fish. By raising the discus fish in these smaller tanks I achieve uniform and faster growth.
My fish are smaller than that, and there's only 5 of them. I don't think I've ever seen anyone recommend keeping young discus in large tanks before.
I think the breeder's quote still holds some truth, but in your case, having only 4 discus might just be enough for a bully to emerge.
That's funny. Most breeders recommend keeping small juvenile discus in smaller tanks. Here's a quote from one of them...
I use my 20 gallon tanks for breeding tanks and to house up to 20 babies 2 ˝ inch discus fish. By raising the discus fish in these smaller tanks I achieve uniform and faster growth.
My fish are smaller than that, and there's only 5 of them. I don't think I've ever seen anyone recommend keeping young discus in large tanks before.
I think the breeder's quote still holds some truth, but in your case, having only 4 discus might just be enough for a bully to emerge.
Re: Two-inch Bully
Re: Two-inch Bully
The breeders quote, I agree the difference between your tank is that you only have 4 Discus, this leaves room for bulling.
Cliff
The breeders quote, I agree the difference between your tank is that you only have 4 Discus, this leaves room for bulling.
Cliff
Re: Two-inch Bully
Re: Two-inch Bully
Not seeking advice, just sharing my experience with these finicky fish.
Not seeking advice, just sharing my experience with these finicky fish.
Re: Two-inch Bully
Re: Two-inch Bully
It's a good thing I wasn't asking for advice.
Sorry about that. I think my question got misinterpreted. You did ask if I was unlucky or if this behavior was common, and I appreciate your honesty. To answer that, no, you're not just unlucky, and yes, this behavior is pretty common in discus.
It's a good thing I wasn't asking for advice.
Sorry about that. I think my question got misinterpreted. You did ask if I was unlucky or if this behavior was common, and I appreciate your honesty. To answer that, no, you're not just unlucky, and yes, this behavior is pretty common in discus.
Re: Two-inch Bully
Re: Two-inch Bully
I think you're going to need more discus in that tank to spread out the aggression. At least two more would be a good idea. And a larger tank wouldn't hurt either. Something like 30 gallons would be a better size for that age.
I think you're going to need more discus in that tank to spread out the aggression. At least two more would be a good idea. And a larger tank wouldn't hurt either. Something like 30 gallons would be a better size for that age.