Do you medicate your Discus?
Usually, when Discus is in our holding facility, they are treated with a de-worming product. Usually use praziquantel and levamisole. These products are use to treat worms and gill flukes.

Once this has been completed, we add metro to the food that our Discus eat. All these procedures are conducted as preventative rather than treatment.

I’m starting a new tank, what do I need to check for?
Starting a new tank is an exciting time for any hobby keeper. Quite often, people forget that you are creating a sustainable environment for your fish. Therefore, the water, bacteria needs to be just right. You must cycle your tank (can take up to 2-3 months). There are options to cycling tank, such as fishless cycle or with fish. The aim is to allow good bacteria in your filtration to tackle ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. Ammonia and nitrite must fall within safe levels. Once you get to the last stage of the cycle, you will have nitrate reading until it falls to sustainable levels.

Always have the testing kits for Ph, Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate at hand.

How many Discus is ideal? 
Depends on the size of your tank, however, you should aim for at least 5-6 in a colony. This size is recommended and best for Discus fish.

How many fish can I keep in my aquarium?
Rule of thumb is 40L per adult Discus. If you have 400L tank, then you can aim for 10 adult Discus. If you are getting smaller Discus, then you can have more to that ratio however, be very prepared to upgrade your tank when they outgrow.

What medication should I have in my cabinet?
This is purely our recommendation and what we have tried that works.
– Blue Planet Gill and Tapeworms – Gill flukes and Tapeworm
– Potassium Permanganate – Gill flukes  
– Big L – Round Worms
– Metronidazole (require prescription) – HEX or HITH (Hole in the head)
– Multi-Cure – a bath for your new Discus before entering into your tank
– API Melafix – When introducing new Discus
– Blue Planet Aquacycline – Require Guidance. Contact OZ Discus
– Epsom Salt – Bloat 
– Blue Planet Tri-Sulfa – Finrot and cloudy eyes
– Blue Planet Paracide – Lice and external parasite

Do you starve your fish prior to shipping?
Yes, we must starve fish for at least 3 days prior to shipping. This is to reduce the collection of ammonia inside the bag. Ammonia spikes once you cut the bag open.This is especially important when shipping runs overnight.