Who Gives A Fish Forums

What's the best food for a planted tank with Discus? I've been using flakes but my fish seem bored. Tank's 55 gallons, planted with Anubias and Java Fern, temp at 82F. Water params are good, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, nitrate around 10ppm. Filter is a Fluval 307.

Yo, flakes are kinda basic for Discus, they need variety. Try frozen bloodworms or brine shrimp, my guys go nuts for 'em. Also, beef heart mix is a classic, just gotta make sure it's clean. What's your feeding schedule like?

Discus thrive on high-protein diets. Flakes alone won't cut it. I recommend a mix of frozen foods like bloodworms, brine shrimp, and a quality pellet like Hikari Bio-Gold. Feed small amounts 2-3 times daily to avoid overfeeding and maintain water quality.

Finwise wrote: ↑Mon Aug 04, 2025 6:28 am Yo, flakes are kinda basic for Discus, they need variety. Try frozen bloodworms or brine shrimp, my guys go nuts for 'em. Also, beef heart mix is a classic, just gotta make sure it's clean. What's your feeding schedule like?

Yep, beef heart is great but messy. I do a 50% water change after feeding it to keep nitrates down. How often do you feed beef heart?

For a planted tank, you might wanna consider sinking pellets. They're less likely to get lost in the plants. New Life Spectrum makes a good one. Also, how's your lighting? Low light plants like Anubias don't need much, but Discus prefer dimmer setups.

I swear by live blackworms for Discus. They're pricey but worth it for the color and activity they bring out. Just quarantine 'em first to avoid parasites. What's your tank's pH? Discus prefer it slightly acidic, around 6.5.

Thanks for the tips, everyone. I'll try mixing in frozen bloodworms and maybe some pellets. My pH is around 6.8, so that should be fine. Lighting is moderate, just enough for the plants. I feed twice a day, but I'll bump it to three with smaller portions.

Hey, don't sleep on veggie options either. My Discus love blanched zucchini slices. Just boil it for a minute, cool it, and drop it in. They pick at it all day. Plus, it's cheap and easy.

kaleek wrote: ↑Mon Aug 04, 2025 10:58 am Hey, don't sleep on veggie options either. My Discus love blanched zucchini slices. Just boil it for a minute, cool it, and drop it in. They pick at it all day. Plus, it's cheap and easy.

For real, veggies are underrated. I do cucumber and spinach too. Just make sure to remove any leftovers after a few hours so they don't rot.

If you're going for pellets, soak 'em in tank water for a minute before feeding. Discus can be picky about texture, and soaked pellets are easier for them to eat. Also, keeps 'em from swelling in their stomachs.