Common Discus Diseases, Symptoms And Treatment

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discus disease can be divided into 2 main categories, internal and external. Spotting the symptoms early and applying the correct treatment are important parts of discus care. It is important to note that most of these diseases can be prevented by simply keeping the aquarium clean, regular water changes and monitoring the pH and temperature of the water.

External Discus Diseases

Aluminium Toxicity

Aluminium Toxicity is caused by the pH levels in your discus tank being too high or low, the pH should never be below 5 or above 8. Water with pH levels outside this range is toxic to your discus fish; aluminium ions cause a slimy build up around their gills and damage their breathing systems. For this reason it is important to do regular pH checks; once a week is ideal. Also check whenever water is added to your tank or if you notice any changes in behaviour or appearance of your discus fish, especially any discolouring or build up around the gills.

Fungal Infections

Fungal infections can easily harm and sometimes even kill your lovely discus fish. With a watchful eye however, you can prevent any serious harm from happening. Fungal spores in the water attach to your discus fish causing a white, cotton-wool like fungus to appear on their bodies. Fungal infections most commonly occur around wounds and therefore are often secondary to attacks by parasites. Regular water cleaning and salt baths for your fish are good ways to prevent and treat this disease; also there are many modern anti-fungals which can help.

Parasitic Anchor Worms

Although this disease is rare in discus fish, it is still an important part of discus care to be aware of the signs. If you ever see a worm like brown or red thread attached to your discus, then you know they have been infected. These worms are not life threatening by themselves but can open your fish up to the threat of further bacterial infections. Potassium permanganate and salt dips are the most common way to deal with anchor worms, but there are also many modern antiparasitics available that are also very effective.

White Spot Infections

This is also known as ‘white spot disease’ or simply the ‘ich’ and is cause by a protozoan called ichthyophthirius multifiliis. Not only is this very difficult to pronounce but is also extremely dangerous to discus fish. As the name suggests, the visible signs are little white spots all over your discus fish. This is a very fast acting and mostly fatal disease and can spread quickly. If you suspect your discus has this disease then isolate it immediately and go to a reputable fish store or other expert for advice.

Cloudy Eye Infection

Cloudy eye disease can be caused by eye injuries or parasites; however the primary cause is poor water quality. A fish that is infected with this disease has eyes cloudy or unclear. If caught early this disease can be treated by frequent water changes and salt dips. If it is more severe, chemicals like Acriflavin or Methylene can be used to treat your discus.

Columnaries Disease

Columnaris is a bacterial disease that mostly affects weaker fish. Like many diseases it is caused by poor water quality therefore standard measures to prevent it are to keep the water clean, monitor ammonia levels, keep temperatures moderate (high temperatures are ideal for breeding bacteria) and check on the pH and oxygen level of the water. With this disease, mistreating it can be worse than the illness itself, therefore be sure of what you are doing before beginning treatment.

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Internal Discus Diseases

Headstanding or Loss of Balance

As the name suggests the primary symptom of the illness is a loss of balance that can manifest in erratic or strange movements of your Discus. The main causes are poor water conditions, blood flagellates, blockages in the digestive system and swim bladder problems. The first thing you should do is check your water. If there are high ammonia or nitrite levels then it is very likely that this is the cause of the illness. In this case you should make appropriate water changes. Also aquarium salts and antibiotics can help with parasites and these  salts in your discus aquarium can help to relieve bloating.

Dropsy and Popeye

These diseases are quite common among Discus fish. The primary cause is overeating, internal bacteria or parasitic activity. If your Discus isn’t eating properly, it has blisters, bulging eyes or a swollen abdomen then there is a good chance your fish has this disease. Treatment won’t be easy, adding Epsom salts to the water is the first treatment. If there is no improvement you could try antibiotics such as Kanacyn.

Fish Tuberculosis

Fish Tuberculosis is caused by tuberculosis mycobacteria. Again it usually manifests due to poor water quality. Symptoms may include open skin sores, bloating, strange swimming behaviour and loss of appetite. Treatment is often not successful so it is better to isolate your fish so the disease does not spread. Adding antibiotics or salt is the best treatment but this often does not cure the disease.

Hexamitiasis

This protozoan infection does not affect all tropical fish but the discus is one that is susceptible. Poor water conditions, an overcrowded fish tank, poor diet, bullying by other fish and other stressful situations make discus susceptible to this infection. Early symptoms include white faeces with slimy texture, strange behaviour such as swimming erratically and hiding in the back of the tank and loss of appetite.  Symptoms in the later stages of this disease include darkening of their bodies and eyes accompanied by lethargy and listlessness. Treatment is a drug called Metronidazole. Be sure to give your fish the full treatment because if the disease is not fully eradicated, then protozoan can re-attack your fish and will be resistant to Metronidazole

Tapeworms

These large worms live inside your discus fish and sometime they can be seen attached to the skin of your fish. Tapeworms themselves are not fatal but bacteria and parasites can attack your discus fish after tapeworms injure them. Tapeworm should be treated using a drug called praziquantel. It is most effective when mixed with food, but can also be administered as a bath.

Head and Lateral Line Erosion (HLLE)

This discus fish disease that can be identified by loss of colour, small craters forming along the head and lateral lines on the fish’s body. Since this is a chronic disease, even though it is not immediately fatal, it can be very problematic, causing your fish to lose its appetite and make it susceptible to other secondary infections. Regular tank cleaning, nutritious food and treatments for hexamita like Metronidazole, work well to treat this infection

Note: This is by no means a complete list of discus illnesses, nor am I a fish disease expert. The idea is to help people to become more informed so they can catch these diseases early. Please ensure that you know the correct medicine and dosage for any disease before administering treatment.

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