Originally Posted by Jess

Hi, I was wondering if anyone has had a similar experience. Also I'm new to this site.
For Mother's day my daughter bought me two beautiful discus to add to my 4.
A white butterfly and a Eruption Leopard. I quarantined them for at least 6 weeks to watch and medicate. They were shipped from a breeder in NJ, I live in CT. They arrived in very good shape. As I got to know the fish better I noticed a large difference between the Eruption Leopard and my others. The Eruption Leopard was puffing its gills a lot. As if trying to get more oxygen. I have bubblers in this tank and yet the white butterfly was fine. I eventually moved them to my 55 gal. about 1 weeks ago. The white butterfly was fine but the Eruption Leopard was not. I was concerned that I had some anaerobic problems with the gravel as the tank had been set up for several years. So I thought maybe its time to go to a bare bottom and really give everyone a good chance to be happy. My four brightened up even more right away. The white butterfly looked spunky and eating very well. The Eruption Leopard refused to eat. I even tried moving him back to quarantine. He eventually starved himself to death. After about 1 weeks or so of not eating he died yesterday. I took pictures of him the night before he died.
Here's the question. Is it possible that he had a genetic defect. Possibly never right to begin with? Do you think that the breeder should compensate for this expensive fish in someway?
I should add that I'm very cautious with checking water parameters. I change out water at least 2 a week. Filters cleaned about 1 a month.
I'm curious as to what you guys would do. Any suggestions would be appreciated.