First 30 Days With Your Discus
A practical arrival-to-settlement roadmap for new discus.
Day 1
Receive promptly, inspect immediately, document any DOA issue with a photo upon arrival, follow shipment-specific acclimation instructions, and keep the environment calm.
Days 2–3
Watch respiration, posture and group behavior. Offer modest familiar foods; remove leftovers. Test water if behavior is abnormal.
Days 4–7
Look for improving appetite and normal social behavior. Maintain the planned water-change routine rather than reacting to every color change.
Week 2
Evaluate body condition, feeding competition and whether shy fish are getting access to food. Correct social or layout problems early.
Weeks 3–4
The group should be establishing a predictable routine. Review growth/condition, nitrate trend, maintenance workload and tankmate behavior.
Any time: red flags
Surface gasping, loss of balance, severe respiratory distress, measurable ammonia/nitrite or multiple fish declining at once should trigger immediate system/water checks.