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Question
QUESTION: Hello, thanks for your time. This is a 2 part question! Anyway, I have a 75 gallon fish tank, theres actually various fish in there such as tri-color sharks, irredescent, and a silver dollar (keep that in mind). Anyway my girlfriend RECENTLY bought me 3 discus's 1 is bigger then the others and the other 2 are a bit smaller. Anyway, one of the smaller ones is "head butting" the other smaller one when he sees him. Sometimes he dosen't but most of the time he does. Any idea how I can fix this? The tank has plenty of space. (should I add another discus)

Also Since there are other faster eating fish in the tank, whats the best way to ensure my discus get some food other then just tossing in alot of bloodworms or beefheart? I want to feed them the hikari gold I bought for their coloring but they can never get to it! So please anything you can tell me I'll appreciate it.

ANSWER: Hi Daniel,
The discus head-butting the other will be common. It's easy to forget that discus are still cichlids who tend to have somewhat bossy temperaments at times. Although they are of course much more placid than other cichlids. The pecking order among individuals is usually obvious. As long as the other discus isn't being made miserable they should be Ok.

As far as feeding them it will be really difficult. With all those other fish in there, the discus may always have an extremely difficult time getting their fair share. Ideally discus are best kept in aquariums by themselves or only with other very peaceful fish like small tetras. The only thing you can try is to put food on one end of the tank and put some more on the other end to give the discus a chance. Or you may have to distribute food throughout the tank to give everyone a chance. Discus are easily intimidated however and it would really be best if they had their own tank with tankmates consisting of tetras and such. A 20-gallon is a good size. However, a 29-gallon is even bigger due to the height and being that its 50% larger.

Best wishes!
Karen~

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

QUESTION: I've actually been having success feeding them a little but they seem to be really picky! They won't eat any pellets or flakes or even beefheart. They only eat bloodworms. Any other ideas for something they would eat so I can vary their diet. Also how often should I do water changes in such a big tank with alot of bottom feeders.

Answer
Hi Daniel,
At least the discus are eating. :)

All you can do is keep trying to get them to eat other foods. They should eventually learn to eat the other foods, just most likely it will take them a little while.. Once they get more adjusted they should do even better. Just keep trying with a variety of foods. Discus really should try to be fed a discus pellet food. But they of course won't accept it right away. Keep working with them. That's the best thing you can do.

With discus, water changes are one of the most important things for their health. Most discus keepers change their discus's water at least everyday to every other day. 30-50% is a good place to start.  Try to do them as often as possible. And don't forget the importance of never forgetting to use water conditioner and making sure the temperature is equal to your tank or a little bit warmer with all new water. Your aim is primarily to keep nitrate levels as low as possible.

Best wishes!
Karen~