Almost Black Discus

[Jason]

I have a 75Gal tank.

5 Guppies
3 Bleeding heart tetras
3 Plecos (2 x 6", 1 x 1")
1 Clown Loach
1 Black Ghost Knife
4 Super Red Discus

One of the Discus is almost black, and he's hanging out by himself in the
corner. He does come out to eat, seems healthy. No unusual marks or
behaviour. I've had the Discus for about a month, and this has been going
on for the past couple weeks. Tank tests are:

Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 15ppm
pH: 6.6
Temp: 86F

Is this normal? Will he brighten up on his own? I feed them bloodworms
twice daily, with the odd dose of flake food when they're looking antsy.

TIA
- Jason

[Alpha]

This is a very, very bad sign. I suggest there is nothing to be done.

[Billy]

"Alpha" > wrote in message
...
> This is a very, very bad sign. I suggest there is nothing to be
> done.
>


Wow! What excellent advice! <bg>

I know very little about discus, but can I ask why you have the temp
so high? I know Discus do well in higher temps, but I didn't think
that any of those fish could tolerate 86f temps over an extended
period of time.

[Alpha]

"Billy" > wrote in message
...
>
>
> "Alpha" > wrote in message
> ...
>> This is a very, very bad sign. I suggest there is nothing to be done.
>>
>
>
> Wow! What excellent advice! <bg>


Of course, I have been very wrong before and hope I am wrong here.

One sure sign of problems is witnessing the color fade to black coupled with
lethargy......However, that experience with Discus is about 30 years old.

[Elaine T]

Billy wrote:
> "Alpha" > wrote in message
> ...
>
>>This is a very, very bad sign. I suggest there is nothing to be
>>done.
>>
>
>
>
> Wow! What excellent advice! <bg>
>
> I know very little about discus, but can I ask why you have the temp
> so high? I know Discus do well in higher temps, but I didn't think
> that any of those fish could tolerate 86f temps over an extended
> period of time.
>
>
Discus prefer temps above 80F and 85-86F is pretty much ideal for them.

--
Elaine T __
http://eethomp.com/fish.html <'__><
rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com

[Jason]

"Alpha" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Billy" > wrote in message
> ...
>>
>>
>> "Alpha" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> This is a very, very bad sign. I suggest there is nothing to be done.
>>>
>>
>>
>> Wow! What excellent advice! <bg>
>
>
> Of course, I have been very wrong before and hope I am wrong here.
>
> One sure sign of problems is witnessing the color fade to black coupled
> with lethargy......However, that experience with Discus is about 30 years
> old.
>

Thanks for the advice, I've noticed he has been turning black, then
brightening up throughout the day, there doesn't seem to be any reason for
it.

Don't worry about the temperatures, all the fish are doing quite well. In
case any new fishkeepers were curious, a higher temperature (for most fish ~
80F) will make them grow faster, but will also shorten their lifespans. I
keep all my other tanks (Puffers, Guppies, Marine) around 76 - 78F.

- Jason