Discus become dark in colour

Hi all
I'm new to Discus keeping.
A friend of mine had four of them, but due to him having to travel around the country, he sold them to me.
They are about 2 years old now, but they now seem to become very dark in colour (almost Black).
Any idea want could be wrong with them?
I've kept gouramis, and I know that when they get dark, then it's time for breeding, is this the case with discus as well?
Any advice will do.
BTW, their colour returns during feeding time, Am I not feeding them enough?

 

Hi bees.

Some Discus do go dark in color during breeding, to produce food for the fry.

However in your case we have a problem. They also go dark when very stressed or ill.

Please tell us more about them.

How long have you had them?
What are the water perimeters?
Temp of the water?
What are you feeding etc?
How long have they been dark?

 

What size tank you got them in. What is the temp and ph of the water. How long do you have them

 

Hi all thanks for the responses.
Temp is at 29. PH is 6.9
My friend was feeding them tetrabits, so I continued with that. Maybe I need to change their food?
They go dark for about 30 minutes give or take. PS:
Only two of them are going dark, the other two still have their full colour all the time.
They are housed in a three foot tank, along with four rams and 6 baby corys.
I feed them about four times a day. Morning 7am, 10am, 3pm and then again at 7pm (The morning feed is the big one, the rest of the day is about half that feed).

 

How large are they? (cm) ?
As @dash When did you get them? I.e how long have they been in their new environment?
Do they hide in a corner somewhere or do they swim around?

As @Reedfish has asked, do they all eat well?
Also look for white faeces , they will usually "poop" during or just before feeding time or just after water changes.

Are you able to test for ammonia, nitrate and nitrite in the tank?

Are they having a hard time feeding between the rams and corys?

Also how do you treat the water for water changes? And how often do you do water changes?

Are you able to post a pic or two?

 

@Flash , @dash, @Reedfish
Got them now for about four weeks.
They swim around, but all of a sudden they group together over the sponge filter and change colour, then half an hour or so later, they are fine again.
Yes they eat well. (I watch them during the morning feed and the evening feed.
Will have to get a test kit.
Nope. The rams and corys are all still babies, max size is 3cm, thus the four feeds a day.
Water change once a week, 50%. treat with Aqua Plus Safe.
Will take some pics tonight when I get home.
PS: The tank is in the diningroom, lots of traffic, could it be that they are just scared?
I will only have my 4 foot next weekend for them. What sort of filteration should I use in the 4 foot?

 

Please do me a favour seeing you gt ph test.Take water in bucket put airstone and heater.Age for 24 hour - 48hour then check ph again.Does it change dramatically?When do ur fish go dark (after water change perhaps?)and 50% a week not enough for even adults.Is the tank biotype, planted, or Bare bottom.I think your water quality is the main problem untill we have more info.Push up to at least 50% every 2 days in that size tank.I would do 50% everyday.bt thats just me.and are ur other fish not to skittish for them?

And good luck with ur discus.Hope all goes well for you

 

@Quakeszn . Need to buy a ph test kit, but this guys randomly change colour. I got home at 5pm after classes today and up till now, they all have their colour?
It's driving me crazy to figure out if it's just stress when my 3 yr old runs past, or is there seriously something wrong?

 

PS: I am going to redo the tank to suit them, all probability, next weekend. 4foot, with as much extras to suit them.
Quit willing to spend the cash to keep them happy.

 

Here's a pic of them taken at 17h31 today

I did not put a lot of gravel at the bottom, but just enough for a few plant, so that they can hide.

 

1st problem - the back of the tank isn't covered
2nd problem - the black gravel not helping
3rd problem - give a discus a place to hide and it will hide (more offen than not)
suggestions - remove gravel, plants, other fish and go bear bottom or plant the hell out of the back of the tank through in 20-30 cardinals and afew cory cats. its really up to you but your current set up is not ideal

 

My first discus tank

here's some pic's of my very first tank planted :blushing:

 

100% noted sir.
My end plan is to setup my 1.7m tank for them with a lot of cards, white clouds and corys and a decent batch of Rams (Love them to bits), but this is at least six months away. Quick fix is to do a four foot, not planted but with a few hiding places as the tank is in a high traffic zone. The plants I will grow over the next six months using @dash model. the four foot I will have done by next Sunday.
My main worry, is it stress or illness.
If it's stress, will they be able to cope with the stress over the next few days, or would I move them to a move secluded area ( I have a breeding room).
If it's illness, I when definitely switch to bare bottom tomorrow and get what ever I need from euro-spirit.
I just don't know which way to go.

 

4ft would be just fine. cover the back of the tank with light blue or green paper or background from petshop. take the Rams out at least, too aggresive fish (untill you get the 1.7m tank then it might be fine) they get used to a sertan amount of traffic eventually 4weeks is not a long time for discus to be in a tank they not used to their new tank, just up your water changes and spoil them with some bloodworms.

 

@bees

Discus are very sensitive to any fluctuations in the water perimeters. They will feel the slightest fluctuations and show you they are unhappy.

The key to keeping healthy discus is to try and maintain stability in the tank. Although some perimeters will change during wc's etc, they need to get used to those fluctuations.

They are very peaceful fish and they do get spooked very easily. Coming up to a tank too quickly etc will give them a bit of a jolt sometimes. Try and make sure they see you coming. They do get used to you after some time as well. They have amazing personalities and will reward you if you keep them happy.

a 4ft would be all good. If you don't mind spending a bit of bucks, get yourself the aqua clear 70 hob (hang on back) filter. These have awesome space for filter media, thus more space for beneficial bacteria! (Remember to put in some of the existing filter media) Also get yourself some seachem matrix and get that in there too! Add a sponge filter or two as well. (like the one currently in with them)

How long before the time do you treat your water before you do water changes? Also, do you make sure the new waters temp is on par with the tanks temp before you add it?

I do 20% wc's every 2nd day in my 4ft's, thus not having major fluctuations when doing wc's, but allowing me to change 60 - 80 % of the water weekly without causing too much stress.

What filtration are you currently running along with the sponge filter?

The fact that they are eating is a good sign.

I would not change anything right away just yet, seeing as you are planning on moving them soon.

Just try the smaller , more recent water changes if possible?

If you feed them bloodworms, please remember to thaw them a bit before feeding it to the fishies.

Have you tested for ammonia, nitrate and nitrite yet?

Keep us posted on their progress please.

 

Just one thing to add to Flash. Feeding!
Ox heart and bloodworms must be in your freezer for them. Diet is a huge part for a happy discus

 

@Flash
Thanks for the advice.
I went on Sunday and met Sean @ Euro-spirit.
Got some great advice, and as usual he was right.
I had a lack of trace elements e.g. magnesium, manganese, potassium, selenium, sodium, etc
5ml dose and my discus have not lost their colour and are even swimming around the tank.
I'll get the name of the chemical I bought and post it tonight for you guys.
Thanks for all you guys and girls advice.

 

Sweet. Will help out a lot. Getting my 5 on Sunday... And I know the stress levels will be very high. New tank, new and old tank mates...

The product would not maybe be Discus trace or something like that by any chance?