Common Discus Fish Ailments And Advice On How To Treat Them

Giving you some brief advice on the most common discus ailments and how to treat them. Call us up for any detailed advice as we love to assist hobbyists enjoy their fish!

[@burakkanidagli9968]

I really love your videos you know what you are talking about when you recommend people something where there is too many people give so silly information through the KZbin and I can clearly say he doesn’t know what he’s talking about, thank you for everything you helped me with

[@barrylight3535]

Brilliant just the right length of time. Makes it easier to remember most of the factual things you tell us.

[@jarred_7228]

watched 5 videos back to back from this channel. Absolutely fantastic information!

[@JackWattleyDiscus]

Glad you are enjoying. Hoping to be able to bring you more content.

[@tomfish1312]

Another video that gonna be a tool for everyone and for EVER! With this video you just saved thousands of FISH !! Keep your great work

[@tommuhlemanjr.3871]

Gabriel, thank you very very much for making this and all your videos. I am a fairly new discus keeper and although my fish are healthy (so far), I am trying to get a lot smarter regarding their care. I’m also in the process of buying a couple of new discus from your website. As expensive as they are, I want to be armed with every bit of information on keeping them that I can find and you are helping make the process a lot easier. Keep it up and know you are appreciated!

[@loma1189]

I could listen to you educate all day. I am a novice in this hobby with one 5.5 gallon tank and one 20 gallon high tank. I would love to have a Discus tank some day. I am no where near there but it is a long term goal.

[@JackWattleyDiscus]

Glad I could help. Enjoy!

[@avijitbala]

You are sharing your vast knowledge ... thank you king. May king live long ... all hail the king. 🤴

[@brad823]

You made some good points. The old wood in the tanks contributing to the anaerobic bact issue is one I've not ever considered. All points are well taken. Thanks!

[@1royalpalm]

Great information ...I got more knowledge from this video in 6 minutes than , than looking around in last year ...Gab is the man !!!

[@thedudenetwork]

Hi Gabe used to call you and Jack back in late 80's early 90's before internet with the "HELP MY FISH ARE SICK"you guys always helped me out I appreciate that

[@JackWattleyDiscus]

I haven't stopped helping others enjoy. Thanks for remembering.

[@parrotbill9072]

I think you are more of an expert than most on youtube. Even though I am into Bettas I have learn a lot of good stuff from you that could be applied to bettas. So I am watching every video you put out. I am sure Bettas are much easier than Discuss, but I am learning medications and cheap muriatic acid to adjust PH and that sort of thing. Just bought a reverse osmosis filter to clean up fish waist water after pre filtering in a DIY canister filter. Now studying products like Equilibrium to add back minerals and such. City water can be expensive, so reusing it would cut cost of water changes. Who knows...the chemicals could be just as high, but I won't know unless I try it. Anyway, I am glued to your channel. Keep up the good work.

[@pnw_element9822]

Gabe I delivered a package from you to one of my customers out here in Portland Oregon I was what I watch this man on KZbin lol awesome man

[@mohamadilias3351]

Hello Gabriel Posada ! I like your videos. You're highly experienced in this field. God bless you.

[@dennis-qu7bs]

I really like your video production and format.

[@stephenwood8971]

I could watch your videos all day long, great knowledge and experience with discus totally awesome, thanks Gabriel keep them coming.

[@beverlyballard2882]

Thank u...had no idea about epsom salt!!!!God Bless u and yours.

[@davidyoussef8677]

Dearest mr. Jack it's always a pleasure listening to your comments and directions. Very useful. We have a case of a male Discus grade A++, parts of a working pair. It started to have swim bladder issue swimming in circles but standing straight. We tried thermal treatment of 32 degrees centigrade temperature with adding Epsom salt for a week now. He continues to stand straight but swimming circles upside down. We need please further advice from you.

[@Investor_2000]

Thank you for sharing your vast experience with us. Keep up the good work 👍👏🇬🇧

[@calvinpurdy2668]

Thanks Mate, great advice. Regards from down under.

[@graemegorrie3545]

High thanks for your great advice. Is there another treatment you can use instead of Metronidazoleas this is a treatment we are not allowed in the UK.

[@elgezouliabdul4973]

Good Morning I hope you are fine and thank you for this vedio I remain thankful for the the advise you gave last week about my new discus they are now moving and start eating better, I noticed today at one of the fishes a hanging boo in her stomach is that a problem ? and how to treatet the good thing it was like brown boo, so please advise what shall I do ? Thank you very much

[@b666nilsson7]

Really great info. Gabe is The man to ask, only wish i had that knowledge about discus. 👍

[@robc5520]

Gabtriel, your a great man! Thank you so much for all your knowledge, as i begin to start up my Discus hobby..I love your content! Merry Xmas mate!

[@dennis-qu7bs]

Jeez, Gabriel must have a PhD. in fish care. He's freakin amazing, he knows his stuff! Bloody smart guy!

[@JackWattleyDiscus]

22 years of the same ailments makes it very easy to come up with results.

[@craigslade2766]

Great information Gabe! Thank you for sharing your time with all of us viewers.

[@ahmedyanni959]

Hello thanks for sharing your information I have problems with my discus its not eat and ther are blowing on the stomach hole

[@hendrasb5963]

Hello. I just want to ask you about how many times do give metronidazole in a day (for 10 days daily)? Thank you and keep in good health.👍🏻

[@AkosiChillex]

He said every 8 hrs

[@kiranmesta8648]

Only once a day till 10days 👍after 8hrs change 50% water daily

[@ckzdiscus5337]

Thank you so much for this video! Really helped me to be able to treat symptoms henceforth.

[@danielleethier9026]

thanks so much for all of your videos!

[@JackWattleyDiscus]

My pleasure. Enjoy

[@Blimpus]

Thank you for posting this sir. That is fantastic advice and just so happens what I needed right at this time. Thank you again Gabe.

[@RAFZY93]

Thanks for this vid. I’ll be starting my discus keeping next week. I’m excited!

[@sanjibroy8417]

Thanks a lot for the wonderful remedies in the most easy way...

[@nalinpeiris015]

Hi Jack, Thanks for all the advice, which is very helpful in dealing with problems related to rearing of Dicus. I have a 8 foot tank with Discuss and other Discus friendly fish. On and off one or two of my Discuss get a few blistors on their body. These blisters dont erupt but grow in size. The fish stops eating, gets to a corner, and eventually dies. I wonder if the information I have provided would suffice to diagnose the sickness. Obviously, it's a bacterial intection, isn't it? Nalin

[@resh9997]

Loved the video, right to the point

[@alfadiscus]

Bravo, Gab! very useful, correct information, I have been using the last few years and my fish are happy) . TY VM ( Vladimir Kelk)

[@JackWattleyDiscus]

Thank you for watching. Keep those discus healthy and enjoy.

[@ranairfanbashir]

thanx for your advises ........what causes swollen lips and how to cure.....

[@wasimmohammad01]

Can you make demo video of this treatment

[@MedievalMind]

Very informative video. I would love to see something about the "Black Death". Is there anything that can be done when this happens?

[@mikebruno5892]

Great videos! What medicine do you use for the internal parasites?

[@JackWattleyDiscus]

Metronidazole or prozyquantel

[@heathercurtis3428]

Great video! Very informative! Can you put the epsom salts in a planted tank or will the salt kill the plants?

[@JackWattleyDiscus]

Epsom salt is magnesium sulfate. It's a fertilizer

[@elgezouliabdul4973]

Hi There and millions thanks for all those nice videos, I have now my discus doing great ,since I watch all you video. A quick question about Epsom salt, can I use Epsom salt from time to time just to relieve my fish stomach since two days I see no poops however they are eating good . Please advise if I can use it as you mentioned 1 spoon for 40 L and for how long should I keep it in the aquarium before I do water change? Thank you very much Nasir

[@CrowntailHalfmoon]

Gr8 info.😊 Thank you for sharing. Do you have a specific amount (eg 1 tsp ) and dosage (eg 250mg or 500mg tablet ) of metronidazole to be added to prepared food (amount in pounds )? How long should you keep homemade medicated fishfoods and do you use it as a preventative like once a month? Should you starve the fish a day before feeding it? Can you mix garlic with metro in fishfood? Is there a way you can 100% identify sexes of discus by looking at them but not in when breeding? Also could you force a pairing and method to do it? Thank you.

[@DAMITH250]

Awesome 👍👍👍 Please do a video about septicemia and how to treat that

[@jamesvogel9951]

Thank you for all the videos!

[@raghuvamsi155]

Love the way u explain...thanks for your time and interest...

[@mamasony3655]

Love your videos Gabe!

[@jalindarkharade638]

Awesome explanation.. I couldn't get metro in UAE any alternative to metro recommended?

[@lucifermorningstar-lk9ow]

Thank you sir. .....just waiting for this video. ...it's the most important thing in this hobby

[@inxsgoat]

Your videos are amazing and have taught me a lot! Thank you so much!

[@naxatra4u]

This is your first video I am watching. I impressed with crisp & clear to the point info. Thanks for that. Can you bit elaborate on Metro treatment please. Like tablet or liquid to be used? etc. Thanks

[@JackWattleyDiscus]

Powdered metronidazole and we use one gram for every 20 gallons of water this is done 10 days straight

[@naxatra4u]

Thanks Jack , Filter should be off or can be used without carbon & sponges?

[@JackWattleyDiscus]

@@naxatra4u all filters on to kill the bad bacteria there as well. You shouldn't be using carbon at all.

[@naxatra4u]

Thanks Jack for such fast response

[@jameswatts3207]

Hey Gabe thank you so much for all your videos & advice etc. I've watched so many and they've really helped me. So I am based in the UK and have an issue with one of my Discus. I've had them now since the end of July this year, so not too long only a few months. But after only a few weeks, one of them developed red nostrils that sometimes with various treatments I can get to go away for a short time. But it always comes back! I've currently got her in a hospital tank... using aquarium salt that I thought had worked! But now this evening after giving some food it is back again! ... so frustrating and I'm really struggling to find online what it is to be sure (I think possibly Hemorrhagic septicemia bacterial infection). I can not get metronidazole here in the UK as it is not available and also other treatments/antibiotics readily available in the US/Oz etc. But I would be so grateful if you can help me identify with certainty and recommend treatment. Also, when it gets worse my discus also has reddening on the pectoral fin near the armpit this goes and again comes back at times. I have tried so far, melafix first, then aquarium salt, she also developed bloat so I have used Epsom salt that sorted that out. I've tried a course of Octozin (with no effect) and also a course of Myxazin with no effect... the aquarium salt and/or Melafix seems the most effective temporarily getting rid of it... but always only a temporary fix. I currently have the salinity at 2500ppm upped today to 2800ppm after researching and reading some forums etc. that mentioned doubling a dose etc. which I'm unsure if going to 5000ppm would be OK This treatment course has been 4days already and I really thought I had made progress until this evening and it looks just how it has been ! I've dewormed my Discus I have 8 and the water quality has been maintained religiously! All other fish are perfect all eating well and thriving. This one eats no problem and is active no other issues other than the red nostrils/red pectoral fin 😔 I hope you can help me and many thanks again... By the way WOW such amazing quality discus you guys have I'd love to visit some day and perhaps buy from you some day too if ever possible 😂🙏❤️🐠

[@mariafernandez.veneto]

Hello Gabe! Thank you so much for your video! I just have one questions: should i treat my discus with metronidazole both in the water and in their food if they are eating? Or just in the food? I would really appreciate your input on this one!

[@JackWattleyDiscus]

If eating just in the food. It's much stronger that way.

[@mariafernandez.veneto]

Great! I usually soak tubifex in metro (500mg a day) for 7 one-year-old discus. Do you think this dose is ok?

[@mariafernandez.veneto]

I’m from Argentina and I am close friends with a breeder who’s been a friend of Jack’s for more than a decade, even had dinner a couple of times with Jack and his wife. It’s a real treat to get this insight from the pioneers of discus breeding

[@harshjha2497]

Hey hi I am a big fan of your work. I just brought in 1.75 inches discus total 8 in numbers. Now one them is staying in top corner of the aquarium. And not having food What to do????

[@livingwaters.4U]

Thankx Gab, Blessings from London.

[@kennyfol]

Thanks. Would love a more advanced vid as well. Plese make a part two.

[@pabanch1]

Very informative and helpful, thanks for sharing. Desperately waiting for other video like this. Thanks!

[@luisperez-ruiz1173]

Excelente Gabriel, estás hecho un experto!!!! Gracias!!!!!!

[@rhymicduo1495]

Very informative.thanks sir for always sharing tips.

[@rohansrivastava1411]

Thank you so much .. your advice does help me alot .

[@jrmk311]

Hi, really like the content. What's the dosage to add in the food of the metronidazole for discus?

[@wahwah8423]

Hi dear.... what can I get to treat my discus instead of metronidazole, because can not get in uk

[@uwaysmantah6286]

Hi Gabriel, a quick question on the treatment with Metro, do you need to do a water change after the 8hr if not when will you do the water change during that 10-day cycle.

[@JackWattleyDiscus]

Metro has a shelf life of 8 hours in water. Do your water changes whenever you want. Doesn't have to be daily.

[@Stavrosmct]

@@JackWattleyDiscus hi Jack. In the UK what vmcan you use? Metro seems to be an American product? Tha ks sir. Live your videos.

[@leonvlahakis2829]

(Flagyl) from your pharmacist

[@johnday2199]

Without doubt the best

[@josemontalvo4532]

Great advice once again. I enjoyed watching. Muchas gracias!

[@anthonyromano5420]

Any pointers for a discus breathing rapidly? Still eating but sparingly seems to be the only one in the aquarium breathing rapidly. Can’t figure out why, parameters are good and been consistent. Thanks! Great videos and incredible operation you have!

[@johnzoids]

Hi Gabe, I love your videos, they are to the point and very informative. Could you make a video on cross contamination of discus (from different breeders) and how to spot it and how to treat it. thanks in advance.

[@rogerapierre7533]

Great advice Gab. Thank you.

[@vikrampatil6087]

Thanks a lot, sir. Love from India.

[@subahansyah152]

hi,i am fom indonesia.i always watching your videos about discus fish but my discus fish not original than your discus fish cause in indonesia discus fish very expensive evenly the original discus fish..thank you to know you Mr.Grabriel posada

[@mohamadilias3351]

Hi gabriel, Day 1: I directly added 6 new 3.5 inches discus fish into my display tank measuring 5 ft x 2 ft x 2 ft tank. I already had 20 adult healthy discus housed in that tank for more than a year. The new discus which i added to my tank had very minor fin rot issue with them. I dosed 10 ML API melafix (diluted in 1 lit water) in that tank. Day 2: All discus had settled in corners of tank bottom. Few fish had white patches on them. I did twice 80 % water change on this day. Day 3: The following day the fish came on top corner and they were tightly holding other discus (densely packed) I did 80 % water change on this day. Day 4: I lost 25 % of my fish on this day Twice 80 % WC on this day. Day 5 and 6: On these two days I lost all my fish. My question is who killed my discus ? I love discus. I feel very low after losing my discus. I feel guilty about it.

[@pallabsen3359]

Hi, Hope you are doing fine, for your clarification i want to say that the disease has been taken by the new discus to all in the community tank. If you see any types of external change then bath all the discus with pottasium permanganate for more than a hour after that add aquarium salt and oxytetracycline medicine in a limited dosage then cover the tank with paper as any kind of light destroy the potential capability of oxytetracycline, then leave it for 24 hours and do the same procedure next day with half dosage and repeat it on the 3rd day with the half dosage of the 2nd day. Do this until they recover but "PP" bath is must for everyday and do not feed them during their treatment. Just only add the vitamins tablets directly into the water so that they can get the essential nutrients from it. During the treatment the temperature of the tank should be higher than as usual. Recommended 32°c. Note - water should be change upto 60% in every 24 hours before the next day treatment begins. Hope it will be helpful. Note- Remove the Pottasium permanganate by adding hydrogen peroxide, then water will come to its original texture within 30 minutes i.e from light blue to colourless.. I am a master in this field if you need any help then comment me here.

[@MRVSKIN]

Thank you for this. Can you tell me where you can get metronidazole and oxtetrocycline from. I am in the UK and cannot seem to find it over the counter

[@MT-jf1tn]

Great video and information!

[@mohammedaquascaping9411]

Fantastic information

[@BC-uu6iz]

Great info as always, I'm having some of my angelfish with what its look like bloating. tk you i will start the treatment

[@priyadarshanakasun3586]

I do have a question. Can you please mention the dosage of Metronidazole if I going to give it mixed with feed? Thank you very much.. your promt reply is highly appreciated

[@jozfine]

I think u are the best wen it comes to discus. Love from India. Been following ur channel. Can you please make a video on swim bladder issues in discus and its treatment. It’s been a week and i m struggling to cure my discus pair of possibly swim bladder disorder. Have tried epsom salt & aquarium salt treatment. But no luck. Can you please help on this. Thanks.

[@sahand57]

Thank you for taking the time to post this. I have a quick question about your recommendation when treating Discus with metronidazole for 10 days. Is the daily application once or three times (once every 8 hours)? Thank you in advance.

[@JackWattleyDiscus]

Once

[@sahand57]

@@JackWattleyDiscus Thank you

[@mitch9946]

Thanks for making these very informal videos, though I have a question. I recently got some discus, and two of them seem to have fin and tail rot. The stock I have are 1 denison barb (got 5 years ago from Petco), 2 siamese algea eaters, and 3 black skirt tetras. My dad told me he saw the tension barb nip at 2 of the discus that have the fij and tail rot. I have never heard anyone say that it can be anaerobic bacteria. My tank is heavily planted. I just did a 50 percent waterchange, and all parameters were fine. You said oxytetracyclin will work. Do you know if it's safe for planted aquariums?

[@JackWattleyDiscus]

Barb's are inherent nippers.

[@cichlidparksrilanka]

Very useful information.Thanks

[@horaceaung3677]

Thanks so much for your sharing knowledges👍👍

[@romaansfishchannel3510]

Thank you very much for the tips. great channel, very informative

[@CrazyAquariumGuy]

Is The meds "Eisha Hexamita" good för Discus? Does it have that thing that you talked about?

[@jokingjcmarley3025]

Hey Gabe great video I'm getting an ro di system how should I prepare my water? Should I use half tap? Thanks for the info

[@JackWattleyDiscus]

Depends on what you want to use it for. If it's not for breeding use 70 r/o to 30 city.

[@Maxmgm212.]

You are awesome man 💪🏼 great vids and tank set ups

[@tinablum9089]

You are so informative!! Thank you!!!

[@damianlesniewski1425]

Hello Gab how much od Oxytetracycline would you use per 100 litres ? Superb video!

[@JackWattleyDiscus]

3-4 grams

[@cagiva03]

i have a discus that looks exactly like the one in tank B8 on the lower left hand of the video. Will the black go away? It started of being full white. Is that peppering or PH burnt?

[@papaross]

Hi Gab. I'm a great fan of your channel. I have 4 discus in a planted 40 gallon with some neon tetras. 2 of the discus come out and eat and the other 2 just stay hidden in the plants. I do not see them eat but they do not look thin and their colors are not bad either. Is there something that I should do or treat?

[@lindacrimboli1389]

How do I treat ick. I have a 150 gallon tank i use RO water and do 1/3 water changes every 5 days temp at 29 Celsius. Two of my discus are showing off on their mouth

[@JackWattleyDiscus]

Easy way is Seachem Paraguard if you can get your hands on it.

[@lisayetz6868]

Made the discus food and they love it thank you very much,when I bought my fish they were very skinny,but with the food I made they are putting on weight,the other day one of my discus got caught under a rock while I was doing a water change,since then his eyes are cloudy from hurting himself,is there something I can do to help him heal well.

[@leekelly4784]

Great information thank you

[@Spagatti_Monkey]

Epsum salt in another video you mentioned 1tbsp for every 20Gallon , which one is best 1tbsp epsup per40 g is safe or 20g?

[@brightstar0815]

Thanks again for the help. I appreciate it a lot

[@elgezouliabdul4973]

Hi Gabe , thanks a lot for the advise you gave me about discus fin Rot I think you are the best person to ask always your advise is to the point a d I trust whatever you say.😀😀 For the last month I have had some problem with my discus fish fin rot, swim bladder infection and now they are very much better. My question please is how to sterilize the bio media since I am afraid to use it because I assume it holds bacteria, since I am going to use the filter soon for a second aquarium which has health fish . Also i have a huge amount of good quality gravel and i want to sterilize it as well. Shop keepers advise to replace the media which is very high coast and my bio media is new only 2 months old !!! Also I want the best way to sterilize the aquarium itself since I am having new fish coming soon ( I am not very fan to use bleach for sterilization) do you have other way?? I thank you very much for your usual help and support Kind regards Nasir

[@elgezouliabdul4973]

Hi Gabe it is my honest opinion about your experience 😀😀😀 So please let me know the best way to sterilize the bio media, the gravel ' and the aquarium itself. I am not a fan of bleach sterilization. Thanks once more

[@elgezouliabdul4973]

Honestly I trust your advises more that stendker web site 😀😅😅 So please tell me the best way to sterilize the bio media ,the gravel and the aquarium itself after a sickness period. As I mentioned shop keepers they simply say buy new one . So what is your advise please ?? Thanks a lot Nasir

[@tilanliyanage]

Thanks for your tips

[@prafulpatekar4708]

Hello Sir, the video is very useful for me but I need to know the treatment for Swallow lips.

[@poopdeckpappy8680]

Thanks Gabe. Much appreciated!

[@ismaelnavarro757]

Es un privilegio aprender con sus enseñanzas este video sería muy inyeresante en español. Me gustaria que sacara variis mas en español un cordial saludo y muchas gracias por la ayuda que nos aportasna todos los aficionados de los discos

[@terrikane2997]

Thank you for all the info!

[@ketan1056]

Thank you jack for this informative video. Will you please help me out in this situation, my discuss fish are having black papering on their bodies. Please tell me how to remove black papering (black spots) from discuss fish? Thank you...

[@johnatella8498]

They are just camoflauging themselves. I am guessing you have a dark gravel, a lot of plants, and maybe a black background. Use white sand, few plants, and a light colored background and they should loose their spots. It is not a disease.