Keeping Healthy Discus Fish

Many people now have aquariums in their homesnatural habitat. The best way to ensure that the
and no matter what size it is they always lookwater in your tank is being maintained is to use a
spectacular. There is nothing more relaxing thenwater filter. These filters are ideal for monitoring
seeing fish swimming around in a clean well keptand checking the levels in your tank, they will help
tank. Although once you have your tank set upto filter out all of the impurities in the water. If
you will have to ensure that you keep it veryyou do find that the acid levels are too high then
clean and provide a healthy environment for all ofyou can add soda water to your aquarium as this
your fish. One particular fish that always lookswill bring the level down. You will need to do a
great in any tank is a discus fish as it has vibrantpartial water change one or two times a week
colors and is very attractive. These fish canand you need to ensure that you do this with as
sometimes be difficult to keep, and as long aslittle disruption to the fish as you can.
you ensure you keep them healthy and diseaseMany fish can get stressed and discus fish do
free then they will live for a long time.very easily, try not to place your tank near a
Discus fish are quite expensive fish to buy asdoorway as the constant difference in
they are so attractive and warrant a greatertemperature will affect your aquarium. Discus fish
price; although they look fantastic in youralso like quiet areas, so try and find a position for
aquarium they will need extra care and attention.your tank that will allow them to be peaceful. If
If you look after these fish well and keep themyour fish aren't comfortable then they will
happy and healthy then they will continue to lookbecome stressed and this will lead to diseases.
great in your tank. Discus fish thrive from beingDiscuss fish can become sick very easily so trying
kept in a group so ensure that you keep at leastto ensure they are kept calm is essential to their
six together at any one time. They are shoalingwell being. Feeding the discuss fish at a certain
fish and will be a great deal happier if they aretime everyday is also very important as they like
surrounded by their own type, you can add otherroutine. The best thing to feed them is blood
fish to your tank as well.worms and flakes, they like certain foods and will
Discus fish also like to swim, so you need togrow better if fed little and often.
ensure that there is enough room in your tankDiscus fish can be quite shy and you need to
for them to swim freely. As a guide there shouldensure that every element of their tank life is
be at least ten gallons of water to every discussuited to them. Once they are happy and
fish, and you need to avoid overcrowding in yourcomfortable then they will give you hours of
tank. You also need to consider what size andpleasure watching them swim around. Once you
shape aquarium you purchase if you want toare confident that you are keeping the fish to
have discus fish. These fish prefer tall tanks andtheir best standard then you could try breeding
will survive better in a taller tank rather than athem. This will enable you to sell them and make
longer one. Although buying a larger tank will makesome money from these beautiful fish. If your
it more difficult for you to maintain the high levelsdiscus fish do begin to show signs of stress and
of water quality needed.disease you need to treat them as soon as you
If you are placing any form of decoration in yourcan. You can purchase medication which you can
tank ensure that it is free of heavy metals andadd to the water for the discus fish, usually this
less really is more when keeping discus fish. Tryhelps to cure the fish and it will return to its
to keep it very simple and only have a few itemsformer self.
and some simple plants for the fish to hide behind.You can usually tell that your fish is stressed and
Real plants are always better than plastic ones asunwell by its behavior; they will become
the real ones will provide natural oxygen into thewithdrawn and spend a great deal of time hiding.
water. This will provide a more natural habitat forThey will often begin to look darker in color and
the discus fish which will keep them happy, therefuse to eat. If you are concerned regarding
more natural you can keep things the better it willyour fish's health then you should ask for
be for all of your fish. If using any form of groundprofessional help. Often a simple water change
covering ensure that there is only a small amountand some medication will help your fish, as long as
and that you have cleaned it well before placing ityou are aware of the changes in them as soon
in your tank.as they occur. Discus fish are prone to worms
Discus fish are very sensitive to water changesand you should look for signs that they may have
and you will need to keep the water in primethem, if they do then they must be treated or
condition. The aquarium water needs to be cleanyour fish will die. As long as you keep a good level
and free from heavy metals and chlorine. Theof hygiene and ensure that the water is kept in
ideal temperature for these fish is between 74perfect condition then you will have healthy happy
and 82 degrees, as it is very similar to theirfish for many years.