Discus don't like sharing

[giorid]

Hi Folks,
I've noticed that when I feed my recently bought five small discus they fight over food, chasing and pushing each other out of the away to get to the food, I know that they're trying to establish a pecking order, but aren't they still a bit too young for that, aren't discus supposed to be docile and calm fish anyway. Also, does anybody know if any of the various resins/carbons used in filters take the growth inhibiting hormone produced by the fish out of the water. Btw they don't seem to be so skittish anymore, thanks guys.

[Merrilyn]

aren't discus supposed to be docile and calm fish anyway.

Ummmm no. They're cichlids after all. Serene..yes. Docile ....never:P

[mumafish]

Young Discus should be feed often.

Try feeding at more than one site in the tank.
With lots of good food and water changes they will grow.

I don't think filter material should inhibit growth.

[Xerxes]

The growth inhibiting hormone isn't isolated, and I have never read of any filter taking this hormone out, assuming it exists.

I feed at two points, and this seems to keep the runts or weaklings somewhat fed too, although now the food is all over the bottom. I have used feeding rings, and nothing seems to keep the food in a nice tight lump to reduce wastage.

[Nev]

I've got a batch of 2 1/2 month olds and they will fight over food. Large bits of food are guarded by a dominant fish even if he's got no chance of eating all himself!

[mistakes r crucial]

I'm not so sure the words docile and Cichlid should ever be used in the same sentence.

[Nkemjika]

In order not to waste, had been feeding

[BigDaddyAdo]

Spread the food around a bit to allow those lower in the pecking order to get their fair share.

[BigDaddyAdo]

Discus love to graze so a bit of food on the bottom with be cleaned up soon enough as long as your substrate doesnt trap it.