Feeding Discus Based on Size
A very common question I get from customers is What are you feeding discus fish? How often should I be feeding discus fish? How much should I be feeding discus fish?
There is a lot of conflicting information on the internet about feeding discus. However, I want to make this very simple for my customers.
Here is what we have been doing with my discus for many years with great success. All about feeding discus fish.
How Often Should I Feed My Discus?
Under 3 months of age – feed ten to twelve times per day.
3 to 12 months of age – feed up to five times per day.
Over 12 months of age – feed two to three times per day.
Be careful to not overfeed them. Overfeeding your discus could cause health problems and water pollution. In addition discus are sensitive fish who appreciate pristine water conditions.
3 to 12 months of age – feed up to five times per day.
Over 12 months of age – feed two to three times per day.
Be careful to not overfeed them. Overfeeding your discus could cause health problems and water pollution. In addition discus are sensitive fish who appreciate pristine water conditions.
How much should I feed them?
Feed them only the amount of food that they can actively eat in about five minutes. Because discus have grinders in their jaws instead of teeth, they eat with this process: They mouth the food, spit it out, and then recapture it before swallowing. This process causes food particles to fall to the bottom of the tank, but the discus isn’t done yet! The discus can dispel water at foods resting on the bottom of the tank and then pick it up as it float upwards. After their main feeding, they will search for leftovers at the bottom of the tank and clean up the leftovers for up to an hour. Therefore keep a close eye on the food quantity.
What should I feed them?
Almost all discus enjoy food that is floating around, while others prefer the food that is at the bottom. Some discus will even eat food out of your hand! Due to the great personalities of discus fish, each fish may like a particular food more than others! Therefore, you must feed them a variety of foods.
All of the fish at Discus.com are fed the following:
– High Protein Flake Food
– Frozen Blood Worms – ONLY frozen! Not Live! Live worms can cause parasite issues! Therefore stay away from live worms.
– Beef Heart Flakes
– Freeze Dried Black Worms
What other foods can I feed Discus?
– Tetra Bits – available online and in pet stores. Since these are hard in texture small discus may not like it at first.
– Home Made Beef Heart mix – many recipes available online. Most noteworthy- take extreme caution when feeding home made beef heart since it can foul your water quickly.
– Live Brine Shrimp – doesn’t have much nutritional value but is okay as an occasional treat. Therefore use on special occasions only.
In conclusion, your discus fish diet is especially relevant in keeping healthy discus. So make sure you feed them a variety of foods while keeping a close eye on the quantity you feed them.
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