Saturday, 8 October 2011

Ways to avoid Discus Diseases

Everybody knows discus become ill, but are you aware of how to recognize the signs or symptoms or how you can treat your much-loved discus? It is not like it is possible to just take them to your doctor or even a veterinarian, therefore it is a good idea to keep yourself well-informed about the signs or symptoms and remedies of the various discus diseases.

Exactly like with people, pathogenic agents are the primary reason for fish getting ill. However in contrast to humans discus live in water, when this water isn't cared for in the right way or aquariums aren't cleaned often it may well become a superb breeding ground for pathogens. These pathogens will then get underneath the scales of the discus fish causing them to get ill.

Checking out the different internet forums I found that discus disease is a quite common and in many cases debated problem. The issue appear to be that a number of discus owners are unaware of what causes their discus fish to become ill or how to prevent this from occurring. By applying certain key points you can help reduce the potential risk of your fish being infected with discus diseases:

• Ensure that they're well-fed with correct nutrients but try not to over feed them. Particularly make certain they are getting an adequate amount of protein.

• Frequent clean-up of the fish tank is important, at least one time every week.

• Insure their tank isn't too small or overloaded

• Consistently examine the water quality, and be sure of the appropriate pH balance (between 5.5 to 7.5 is safe) and water temperature, ought to be between 82 and 86 Fahrenheit (27-30°C)

• Keep your discus fish from getting too stressed out - this could happen when other fish are competitive thus be very careful when choosing tanks mates. Humans can be a factor in stressing out fish if they behave too aggressively, for example frequently tapping on the glass.

You should have an understanding of discus diseases , their symptoms and treatments, having said that I want to caution you to be sure you are utilizing the correct medication in the appropriate amount. Moreover NEVER combine drugs without being advised as overdosing or improperly treating problems could do considerably more harm than good. When you are in any doubt whatsoever confer with an authority as soon as you can, tropical fish forums can also be a great place to obtain guidance. Clearly it is very important ensure the person providing you with advice is qualified to do so.

Likewise like with human beings cures might take time, you should not count on a cure immediately. If you are giving a course of antibiotics to your discus, make sure you give it the full course. Cutting the treatment short runs the risk of creating an antibiotic tolerant strain of the disease.

Prevention is always better than a cure, if you be sure that the good steps are taken in discus fish care most of the diseases are usually avoidable.

Thursday, 6 October 2011

Advice Regarding Building Discus Aquarium

A well established and well maintained discus aquarium is truly a fantastic experience, experiencing these flowing and amazingly gorgeous discus move in the water anybody can quite easily see how they are named the kings of the aquarium. When you're showing such great fish it is essential to care for them nicely as a way to sustain their beauty and distinctive colors, for that reason finding the time to setup their fish tank the right way is essential.

Fish tank Size

Discus flourish in sizeable aquariums with a lot of room to move about, so as a rule of thumb, your tank really should be about 10-15 gallons per mature discus fish. Hence a 55 gallon tank is the minimum size for six full grown discus (ideally it should be 60, however 55 gallons is a typical size for fish tanks).

Location

These friendly but timid fish choose a relaxing life; they are accustomed to clean water and dimly lit roomy area to swim around in. Thus the tank should be situated in a spacious section of the house away from direct sunlight, heat, noise and lots of movement. Moreover keep the aquarium raised up as shadows may be troubling for discus .

Water Conditions

Discus fish like water condition similar to their natural environment, where the water is naturally soft and slightly acidic, thus observing tank conditions is critical. The most important aspects of aquarium water to keep an eye on will be the softness, temperature and pH. Discus fish thrive with a pH of between 5.5 and 7 and temperatures of between 77 and 86°F (25-30°C). Also to keep a healthy discus, it's very important to clean out the tank and change 25-30% of the water at minimum once per week.

Aquarium Filters

Before adding discus fish to your fish tank you will want to establish nitrifiying bacteria colonies in your filtration system. It is essential as they are responsible for keeping ammonia and nitrate concentrations in check by consuming fish waste. Hence deciding on the correct filtration system is crucial for maintaining the nitrification levels of your water, should you have a planted fish tank then this should additionally aid to reduce the amount of toxic substances in the water. Even so frequent water changes are still needed for retaining discus fish health

Tank Mates

Discus must have a lot of space; so not mixing discus with territorial tank mates goes a long way to maintaining happy and healthy discus. One of the recommended friends for discus fish are a very vibrant fish referred to as Tetra, there's lots of different kinds of Tetra however personally find Neon Tetras, Cardinal Tetras and Rummy Nose Tetras to help with making discus truly feel incredibly comfortable and safe since they help emulate their natural habitat. Lots of different types of fish will also be acceptable. It is vital to avoid any large or aggressive fish when making your discus aquarium for example freshwater angelfish; as they can bully your discus and muscle them out at feeding time. Getting the correct discus tank set-up is perhaps the most important factor of discus care and it is important to have it correct first-time since it a serious pain and expense to switch it later.