HELP ! Whats wrong with my Discus?

Question
QUESTION: Hi,

Can i ask you, What is wrong with my discus? i only got it delivered to me today, and it doesnt seem lively at all, it wont stop falling on it's side. could it be my PH? it's higher by 0.5 than the recommended PH. Could that be the problem. I dont want it to die. I just payed 30 GBP for it.
All the other fishes came on the same day today. And only one of them have problems, and that is the Discus. I've tried feeding it bloodworms and baby brine shrimps but it wont eat.

Help Please.

Thanks

ANSWER: Hi Jonathan,
  0.5 difference of pH is not likely the problem.  

More likely the fish is just traumatized by being transported; discus are rather sensitive and being moved stresses them alot.  I am not surprised that it isn't eating, in fact, I would be amazed if it was.  I wouldn't expect it to eat for a few days if not longer.  

 I suggest you give it some time but make sure that the other fish do not bother it while it is recovering.

-- Ron
  rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
  Cichlid Research Home Page <http://cichlidresearch.com>


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I have some pictures of it in the following link...
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=120960&page=2

Do you think the colour looks normal at all? It's suppose to be a Blue turquoise Discus. But to me it looks brown, which i think there is something really wrong :(

Thanks
Jonathan
ANSWER: Hi Jonathan,
  A discus will only be its "normal" color when it is happy.  And, it will take some time before it is happy, likely a few weeks.  

-- Ron
  rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
  Cichlid Research Home Page <http://cichlidresearch.com>


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Would it be ok even if it doesnt eat for 1 week+?

Thanks

Answer
Hi Jonathan,
 He's not going to be happy but not eating for a week alone will not kill a discus.  The question is whether he has other problems which might be causing him not to eat.   

-- Ron
  rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
  Cichlid Research Home Page <http://cichlidresearch.com>