Ok...just to get this section off to a start....

Anyone who keeps Discus knows they need good nutrition...and on top of that they can really be 'snobs' when it comes to food.

For instance, my Discus will pass on every other food in the world if frozen bloodworms are available. However, reality says that they might not be mine forever. (But just try to take them!)

Two of my Discus used to belong to Chris and Haley. To develop versitility and ensure they get different types of foods, here's what I do at feeding time.

I feed my Discus (in order of frequency) frozen bloodworm, frozen spirulina, Omega flake food, and frozen (brine or mysis) shrimp.

If I dump two or more of those in together, guess what happens? They eat the bloodworms and snub everything else. And that other stuff is good for them, too. So what to do?

What I do is this: I put the frozen bloodworms in one plastic cup...then either the frozen spirulina or frozen shrimp in its own cup with some warm water from the tank. (My discus tank stays at 88f)

Timing is important. I make sure it has been long enough since the last feeding that they are hungry. First, I put in some flake. I find Discus more readily take flake if you stir it up so it sinks - as opposed to letting it float on top. Maybe that's just mine - but they eat better that way.

After they've consumed some flake, I'll dump in the thawed Spirulina (or shrimp or whatever their second least favorite is). Then comes the food they'll eat even when they're not hungry....the bloodworms.

This way they get a variety. I have noticed that since I've been doing this, my Discus are more eager to take all types of foods when before they would completely ignore anything but bloodworms. It's the equivalent to tricking your kids into eating their veggies.

Try it...it has worked great for me.

Those are such cool fish. Saw you pics in the other section...nice.

So are they as big a pain to keep as I hear?

Not to me...but I would caution you that me saying it's no big hassle is definately a matter of perspective.

If you're one who hates water changes & prefers to be hands-off once your tank is set up...don't get Discus. They definately require MORE care.

Notice I said MORE.....not MORE DIFFICULT.

Kisskiss girl (one of my moderators here) has kept them for years, so hopefully will chime in on this thread.

But as for me - it hasn't been difficult to keep them. Just time intensive. For instance...if I have an hour to kill & it has been 2 days since the last water change - I'll do another.

They call Discus "The King of Aquarium Fish" for a reason. It's a weird attraction. They are so majestic and beautiful - that at least for me - I treat them like house guests. I want everything to be right for them.

Long story short - it truly is a matter of perspective. It's a labor of love for me. I can't imagine not having them, so it's worth it.

Discus are so worth the work. We have 20 of them now and, they are like kids to me. They all sit in the front corner of the tank stairing at me when I watch TV. They follow all of us around the room. I thought that African Cichlids where the only show-offs, but once Discus get comfortable with you they truly love seeing you. The White Diamond looks great. I am glad that it has adjusted better than some of the others!!!

The White diamond is doing great. He's starting to come out of his shell & hang with the other four instead of hiding.

What kisskiss was referring to is that my Blue Diamond and Leopard didn't adjust so well.

They were my first two Discus & I thought they were goners. They got stressed a couple of days after I brought them home.

For those of you who don't know, a sick or stressed discus literally turns blackish-brown and its skin looks like a crinkled up paper bag. The leopard was so bag, I was researching humane ways to euthanize fish. They were lying on their sides, not eating - just looking horrible. Then - right as I was about to give up on them, they turned around in about 36 hours and have been great ever since.

Luckily Haley & Chris (kisskiss girl & her hubby) kept me from totally losing my mind over it. They talked me through eliminating diseases etc. and tried to keep me calm. TRIED. They were very helpful.

Here they are as they look now...