Discus Behavior Advise

So I've kept Discus for a little over a year and a half now, I've collected 9 over that time. The first Discus I ever got happens to be the most dominant, and he paired off with another Discus I have in the group. When they choose a territory, he gets extremely stressed out with others trying to eat the eggs, and chasing people away constantly. In reaction, he his the Alpha of the group, so he does take a bit of a beating compared to the others in affect, with the added on fending off the eggs with his mate. He's gotten secondary bacterial infections for the 3rd time now, over a span of a year, roughly. The infections have nothing to do with water quality, I always test before and after water changes, and I never let nitrates exceed 20, at the most. I've never had any other sick Discus, no other has had this problem. It's the same process each time, separate him, treat him, get him back to strength, put him back for an average of 4 months. I'm just worried one of these times it's going to be too overwhelming and he's not going to make it, he's my favorite and my first ever Discus and my heart would be broken if he passed. I was just curious and what I should do, separate the pair into a separate tank was my first thought, but I don't really want to separate him from my display tank, I want to give him a quality life. The only other solution would be to add more LOS blocks in the tank, considering I only have one in the middle and that's where he lays, every time, and that's where all the Discus go to sleep and hide so it effects everyone else as well. If I added an additional two on each side of the tank, do you think that would be a viable solution so everyone wouldn't feel like they have to fight for a spot to hide, there could be other places to run off to, or maybe propose a different solution? Help and advise is very appreciated, thanks lots in advance!

 

The only thing you could do is remove the pair, or separate the pair for the most part. You could try making their egg laying spot (if they don't pick a new one all the time) more "private", so that it's more effort for the other fish to go after the eggs.
How big is the tank? Dimensions?

 

A breeding tank would be best. I'd say a 29 or 30 would be fine. But him in there with his mate. You should be able to raise some of the fry. They will be happy there if they are the only fish in the tank.

A201
86 ssinit

 

It's a 125, so 72 1/2 x 18 1/2 x 23 3/8, with a total water volume including filtration roughly around 160-170 gallons of water. It's hard because where they lay is literally right in the middle of the tank, where everyone also hides or swims by, at least. I would prefer not to remove them, my thought process would be to add more line of sight blocks, one on each side of the tank instead of the single in the middle, that way other fish would bug off more and have another place to hide, instead of the spot that they lay on being their only resort. Or should I just save the money and move them to my 29? I'd prefer to do whatever they're happiest with, but I don't speak fish, sadly lol. I currently have been treating him in my 29 for 24 hours now, the infection is visibly almost gone already.

 

Do they spawn on the glass? A pic of the entire tank and spawning site would help. They would be fine in the 29gal a couple.

 

It's a 125, so 72 1/2 x 18 1/2 x 23 3/8, with a total water volume including filtration roughly around 160-170 gallons of water. It's hard because where they lay is literally right in the middle of the tank, where everyone also hides or swims by, at least. I would prefer not to remove them, my thought process would be to add more line of sight blocks, one on each side of the tank instead of the single in the middle, that way other fish would bug off more and have another place to hide, instead of the spot that they lay on being their only resort. Or should I just save the money and move them to my 29? I'd prefer to do whatever they're happiest with, but I don't speak fish, sadly lol. I currently have been treating him in my 29 for 24 hours now, the infection is visibly almost gone already.

My pair uses the middle of the tank too, I'd say sight line blocks would be the best option

 

I would separate them but a 29 won't work in reality . That is the 'soft touch' and not how it ends up ..
You have 2 months tops from when they breed and have fry attach to when you need another tank ..
IMO line of site changes won't make a difference .It's a 6 foot tank ..They can find each other without help ..
You still without wanting to breed and add more tanks might just want to let them do what they do ..

 

Those are the two spots they lay in every time, with also a picture of where everyone likes to hide at night or when stressed etc. I could always buy another 29 or 40 gallon breeder for when I need to separate the adults as well.

 

beautiful tank! WOW I'd add some plants on the left hand side if I were you. I'd also move that big piece of wood to the left side if you can. If they span on it again it won't be in the middle of the tank.

 

beautiful tank! WOW I'd add some plants on the left hand side if I were you. I'd also move that big piece of wood to the left side if you can. If they span on it again it won't be in the middle of the tank.

Thank you! I wouldn't say that side has a lot of flow, but it has more than any other part of the tank so the Discus don't utilize that space too much. I think if I do that, I'll have to get a different sump pump that's less powerful or maybe some wood or rocks with some plants that like flow will dampen it a bit, I'll give it a shot!

 

Good idea, just make it look like an accident though lol. Mom and dad always gets crabby with everyone when I move their stuff around

 

I'll have to get a different sump pump that's less powerful

Couldn't you just move the output?

I'll give it a shot!

Good luck! Remember to keep us updated!

Good idea, just make it look like an accident though lol.

Like the fish is gonna know?

Mom and dad always gets crabby with everyone when I move their stuff around

At first I thought that you were talking about your parents! lol lol But now you make sense! lol

 

You should add large wood like in the middle to each end .
There is no other place for them all to go but that one spot ?

 

Couldn't you just move the output?

I could, but I already have the output facing the glass so the flow is slowed a bit. Also, no matter where I'd move it at this point there would be plants which is the only reason I've had it there, no plants. Where ever I'd move it to, the Discus would likely just migrate.

You should add large wood like in the middle to each end .
There is no other place for them all to go but that one spot ?

They also go to the right behind the little piece of wood inside the Jungle Val sometimes, I didn't think it'd be that big of a deal considering a lot of people run bare bottom with zero decorations, but I guess not! I'll just have to make a trip this weekend to the fish store and do some more decorating, I'm not complaining

 

zero deco gives all the fish the same .
1 territory will be defended to the death IMO ..
When we add caves for keeping caving fish they say 1 more then total number of fish .
This is so no fish can be put out .There is always a place to go ?
I think adding to the ends won't make the tank a paradise for all but might make it better for your fav ?
It's a given if you add structure to each end 2 males will claim them and your favorite will catch a break IMO .

 

zero deco gives all the fish the same .
1 territory will be defended to the death IMO ..
When we add caves for keeping caving fish they say 1 more then total number of fish .
This is so no fish can be put out .There is always a place to go ?
I think adding to the ends won't make the tank a paradise for all but might make it better for your fav ?
It's a given if you add structure to each end 2 males will claim them and your favorite will catch a break IMO .

Well there is multiple territories, I actually have another pair that lays on the pleco cave way to the right. A few others like to stick on that small piece of wood. The only reason that pair isn't a problem, is because it's way to the right of the tank out of the way, not right in the middle lol. I do feel if I add one or two more pieces of wood, that'll balance things out. We'll see and I'll update in the long run.

 

*UPDATE
Finished up setting the new decorations last night, pretty satisfied with the results and plan to modify it in the future, but at least it's something for now. Going to do a big water change tonight then add him back! The flow isn't apparent at all either, I thought it'd be a bigger problem than it actually is. I'll update the progress of how the others adapt to the new territories and how the once beaten up guy does!

 

Love it! Can we get a full front view please?

 

Very Nice Update!
You've gotten some "Good" advise from members of the Discus Gang. I had a similar issue in my tank with the aggression/stress caused between 2 pairs spawning. I tried some similar work arounds even used a divider. Which helped but... was not my original plan. I did move one pair to a 29g. Just recently sold that pair. Now my dream "Discus" build has changed to a community tank with a pair of Discus as the centerpiece. Hopefully, what you've done works out.

Good Luck!

 

Very Nice Update!
You've gotten some "Good" advise from members of the Discus Gang. I had a similar issue in my tank with the aggression/stress caused between 2 pairs spawning. I tried some similar work arounds even used a divider. Which helped but... was not my original plan. I did move one pair to a 29 gallon. Just recently sold that pair. Now my dream "Discus" build has changed to a community tank with a pair of Discus as the centerpiece. Hopefully, what you've done works out.

Good Luck!

Thanks a lot, definitely something to consider in the future if it doesn't work out!

Love it! Can we get a full front view please?

Of course! Glad someone appreciates some of the work this hobby requires, I'm kinda a outcast in the family and with friends with the hobby. It's definitly a WIP, but we're getting there lol. As of a quick update as well, the one that was previously sick has been doing great with his partner so far, when I wake up at night I'll see some of the Discus sleeping near the new log, everyone seems to give up the center piece of wood at night so, fingers crossed it stays that way especially when they lay, they haven't since he's been back, yet.

 

My family thinks that I'm nuts too. Your tank looks really good! What kind of carpeting plant are you using?

 

My family thinks that I'm nuts too. Your tank looks really good! What kind of carpeting plant are you using?

Nothing to specifically carpet, since Discus would really hate that. The plants consist of a variety of Swords, Bacopa and Crypts that tend to not mind warmer water. You have no idea how many plants I've killed with experiments because of the warmer water lol. I hear a lot of mixed advise on what plants works with Discus, so I just try it for myself and those three species really work well for me, granted not all Crypts, though. Oh, and Java Fern lives but I notice it doesn't really thrive, tends to grow super slow but there is some in there, too. I also notice that most stem plants, 9/10 work.