Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have bought in 3 new discus each of 1.5 inch in size. At the store they were given tubifex, and I find that they are addicted to it. They will not have any other food except tubifex. I have not goven them tubifex for last 5 days and they still refuse to take any food.

If I give tubifex they eat like "pigs".

I make the beef-heart mix and also have tried frozen bloodworms, and they have refused all.

Regards

You shouldn't be fasting your fish for that long. Give them the tubifex (maybe every other day) and try other foods between the tubifex. Try a lot of different foods. I believe the fish stores have the pellet food for discus. Maybe you can try that. Just be careful not to over feed them because they are more prone to swim bladder disorder because their stomach is on top of their swim bladder. Did you need help figuring out what types of other food you can try?
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Phishie
Site Coordinator

"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

I was fasting them so that they take in any other food readily ...

I make Beef Heart Mix with Krill at home and have Tetra-bit, Frozen Blood worms and Floating fish flakes at home. If you can suggest any other Brand which will be readily accepted by discus or any other recipe which I can make at home.

Regards

I can see what you were trying to do, but 5 days is the maximum (and should only be used for a very constipated fish). You really don't want to stress them out, or they won't eat or could get sick. I know you had good intentions though. For future reference, three days is the most I would recommend for what you're trying to do.

Here are some brands of foods you may want to try:
San Francisco Bay Brand Beefheart Plus (it has different ingredients than what you are currently making) or perhaps Ocean Nutrition Discus Formula would be better (more diverse ingredients).

This (link below) might be a little different than what you make currently, and it appears to be a mix between the two listed above. It might also help you with some other ideas. I, personally, have never had discus, and rely on what I can find on reliable websites.

Let me know how things go (if you decide to try any of the above).
Homemade Discus Food

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Phishie
Site Coordinator

"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

A good Recipe, though plankton will be hard to find here ... Let me check out the stores, else I will search the net ...

Let me give it a try ... I will let you know ...

BTW what fish do you have ....

Regards

I don't have any fish right now, but I've had several different species before - all freshwater. My next tank will be a jack dempsey I'm pretty sure.

Let me know how it works for you.

Good luck.
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Phishie
Site Coordinator

"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."