New discus acting strange

Hello, so my mom bought 4 new discus about a week ago. They are in a 55G tank. Qater parameters are, (Did a 30% water change this morning after testing water) Am:0 NI:.25 NA: 5
She noticed that one of the Discus is swimming on its side, then he gets up and is straight for a while, then back to swimming on his side. Any suggestions? I know they need a couple of weeks to relax but she's worried and I would like to get more information. Thank you!

 

Discus are notoriously sensitive fish and not a species I have been confident to try. They require pristine water quality with as much as daily water changes.

I would say the fact there is 0.25 nitrite reading on your water test the tank cycle has either not finished or nitrite has spiked due to bio load increase.

The sick fish looks pretty faded and stressed, I'd imagine from the nitrite.

I know some people here keep discus so hopefully you get some advice and it pulls through.

 

Yes as stated they need much more water changes. Because there new they should get 50% water changes daily for the first month. This gets them used to your water. What’s your temp in the tank? Should be about 86 for new guys. What other fish are in the tank? We’re all 4 discus bought from the same tank in the pet store?

 

omg thank you so much for that information. My mom was saying 50% w.c everyday, then someone at the pet store (where we going the big older discus) said only once a week do water changes. So I appreciate that clarity for a pro. Also the 4 new babies were shipped. There are 3 rummy nose Tetras, and about 9 blue cardinal Tetras and about 6 panda Cory's. And some zebra snails I will check the temp when everyone wakes up this morning.
Also!!! The large discus has ich spots, and another small discus fins are clamped, so she is treating them with general cure and erythromycin. Is that okay? Should she treat then with the ich x? Or ich treatment at all?

 

Put up some pics of the tank and fish. Yes once a week water changes can work but not when new. New guys need clean water for best results. Your tetras are good with the discus. The pandas can adjust to the temp but their life span will be shorter. Nerite should be fine. I’ve had all of them in my discus tanks. Remove nerite if using the rid ick.


I’d not use the meds your using yet. Put up some pics and let me see your sick fish. It may just be stress from new tank.

Pic of what you think is ick. Discus get bacterial nodes on them when the water is not up to par. It’s an early warning system to let you know they need a water change. Again new guys 50% daily for at least a month than reduce slowly. Like every other day, than every 2 day. For best results twice a week is needed. Always 50% or better. How big is the tank and what type of filtration?

 

Tidal 110 on a 55 gallon with an air stone. The filter is "pimped out" so it had bioballs in mesh bags in back of filter. Here are some pictures

 

Ok 110 is a great filter!! More than enough for the tank. Looking at your tank. On left side the plant up against the glass doesn’t look like a water plant. It looks like one that would be grown with its root in the tank not fully submerged. On the right side that large rock should be removed. Discus tend to dart around every so often so that rock will be a problem.
As to your discus they do look like they’ve got a bacterial problem. Who did you buy from? Is the big one new too or did you have it already? Is you had it it could be a cross contamination.

 

On left side the plant up against the glass doesn’t look like a water plant. It looks like one that would be grown with its root in the tank not fully submerged.

I believe you are correct, it looks like some kind of dracaena or bamboo plant.

 

Okay perfect. Should I take out the discus and quarintine them in a 20 gallon long for now and move the rock out of the main tank? And treat the discus for bacterial infections in the 20 long?

Okay perfect. Should I take out the discus and quarintine them in a 20 gallon long for now and move the rock out of the main tank? And treat the discus for bacterial infections in the 20 long?

Thank you so much I really appreciate the help!! I am very grateful for your knowledge!

Ok 110 is a great filter!! More than enough for the tank. Looking at your tank. On left side the plant up against the glass doesn’t look like a water plant. It looks like one that would be grown with its root in the tank not fully submerged. On the right side that large rock should be removed. Discus tend to dart around every so often so that rock will be a problem.
As to your discus they do look like they’ve got a bacterial problem. Who did you buy from? Is the big one new too or did you have it already? Is you had it it could be a cross contamination.

Also the site she bought the 4 young discus from is called "Something Phishy" and the big discus is from a local pet store we go to regularly.