my discus is ill?

Question

my small discus is ill. it is very pale, wont eat and dosnt move much.
i change the water once a week, the amonia levels are ok.
how do you test P.H ?
my other discus is fine and has no problems.
its been like that for weeks so its eating something but i dint no what. ive tried changing to blood worms bt its not interested.

Answer 1

Several possible reasons.
Most likely is the small discus is being bullied, so try moving him into another tank with peace and quiet, and live food like baby guppies.
Less likely is illness which could be internal, in which case treat with an internal bacteria cure.Also check for parasites and (unlikely) hole in the head desease.
Check the web for this.

Answer 2

You test pH with a pH test kit from most any pet store. I recommend the type with bottles of solution rather than the test strips. They are cheaper in the long run and far more accurate.

As for your Discus, I agree with a previous post that it sounds like bullying. If at all possible separate the small one to a tank by itself and see if he colors up in a few days.

It is also possible you have sometype of internal infection and in that case you want to separate him anyway. I really doubt an infection though as it's been so long most any infection would have cleared up or killed the fish by now.

MM

Answer 3

You need to get a test kit I have recently got 2 new disc small about 21/2 inchs one came down with cloudy eyes and was swimming side ways it was from stress there was nothing i could do my bigest was getting agressive so i removed him he also got cloudy eye but i left him alone and he cured himself stress from water changes and other disturbences can cause this i raley change my water and my fish thrive including my 8 inch black ghost fish