Help with resolving reason for discus deaths

[Steve Williams]

I am in Brisbane and have been keeping discus for 8 years. I have a 1000 litre tank, heavily planted with co2 injection. I had about 15 discus of different sizes (6 to 14 cm) and of different ages (5 years to 2 weeks). Most have been purchased from a reputable GC store. I also have tetras, corys, whiptails and Rams. Starting late last week, I have lost 1 discus per day. They look fine in the evening, are eating well, and seem fine. Seem OK in the morning, but are dead by the time I get home from work. There is no evidence of disease or damage on them. The non-discus don't seem impacted. My tank parameter are ph 6.9, nitrite 0, nitrate 10 and kh of 70 ppm. I do 40% water changes a week. Can anyone suggest what my problem may be? Thanks.

Steve Williams

[aquatic lover]

Hi Steve,

Have you any new arrivals of plants and new fish in your tanks. Discus can have problems with internal parasite such as worms. The signs of white strings of poo and possibly of bloating. Internal parasites can kill the fish inside and no damage appearance on the outside.

from Josh

[frankthedolphintrainer]

I see that you have a new arrival in your tank, just so your aware there is a discus plague going round Australia wide, several discus communities have also reported similar events.

Did you quarantine them first?????

White poo?

I presume you have a decent amount of experience with discus due to having them for a while but the suggested method to limit the deaths is to do large daily water changes, as in 70% per day plus treat (I know thats 700 litres) and use kusuri all wormer every few weeks. if that fails step up the treatment and go through the stages of prazi and then metro.

Could you PM me who they were purchased from last, Im looking into links from where the latest plague came from.

Good luck

Edited June 21, 2016 by frankthedolphintrainer