Feeding methods vary with diverse kinds of aquarium fish. Discus have distinctive guidelines for feeding that you need to follow so that they remain trouble-free.
Perhaps the most significant component in your routine is cleaning the tank. While this does not sound like a food related task, it truly is.
Not all fish eat equal. In the case of discus, they are grazers. These fish are slow eaters. But they do eat a lot. They are not aggressive eaters like many fish who are quick to grab the food as soon as it enters the tank. They will eat food that has fallen to the bottom of the tank.
Food that remains at on the tank floor can decay and grow unwanted bacteria and other contaminants.
Your feeding routine should include cleaning the floor once in a while. It does not have to be done with every feeding, but using a siphon hose that acts as a vacuum as you change the water works very well. This is part of your water replacement task, but it should also be considered part of good feeding hygene. Just make sure you siphon about 15% of your water, and, as you do, move your siphon tube around the tank bottom sucking up the little bits.
Discus fish enjoy a variety of food. You can change up your routine, using frozen and live food from time to time, but the main staple will be dried food.
Most discus fish keepers use either flakes or pellets bought at your LFS (local fish store). Whereas, some aquarium fish do not expect multiple daily feedings, discus do. Drop in the dried food flakes a few times per day.
If you are using pellets, there is one caution. Soak the pellets in water before introducing them into your tank. It is possible that pellets that are not presoaked could cause swelling in the discus stomach. The fish will look pregnant. Major tummy ache.
Discus need protein, and a splendid source is frozen (or live) brine shrimp. Keep the frozen brine shrimp, obtained from your fish store, in your freezer. At feeding time, break off a small piece and drop it into your tank.
Part of a wild discus fish diet includes live worms, either white or black worms. Live worms can be purchased from a dedicated fish supply store. Don't freeze the live worms, but they can be kept in the refrigerator. Do not buy large quantities of live food. Live food should be alive and fresh when feeding your prized fish.
Beef heart is also used in discus diets by some hobbyists. You can create your own fish food using beef heart and some other ingredients. This is an inexpensive alternative for live food with the benefit of providing the necessary protein. It must be added here that if you decide to use your own prepared fish food, proceed with caution, especially if you are new to keeping discus. Maybe use it sparingly at first until you are sure it is a good fit for your fish.
It is not really difficult to figure out discus fish eating habits. On-the-job training and observation work well when trying to ascertain fish eating preferences. Learn from your fish. Visit freshwater aquarium forums and blogs online. They are extremely helpful and informative.
You can avoid most problems that arise from improper care due to diet by following these prescribed methods of discus fish feeding.
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