huge discus

[discusFans]

Hi,

I went to the SP at kanata today. I saw they got a few discus that
are huge, i never seen that size of discus before. they r about 7-8".
I know that an adult discus can grow up to 8" in size, i just never
saw one b4. So, i am wondering, how can i grow a discus to that
big?

thx,
fans

[dandaman]

I saw this also a couple of days ago!
Its really amazing, but at 400$ plus tax each...lol, but yes...really nice fish!
I guess you just need a REALLY big tank!

[luvfishies]

Really big tank, LOADS AND LOADS of food, and DAILY waterchanges, the larger the better.

50% would be the minimum.

[discusFans]

yeah, the price is scary...but the fishes are soo nice, i wish i can get mine to that big and sell them here for $300..LOL

[discusFans]

what if mine is a planted tank....do I still need to do water change everyday? btw, i got a few smaller discuses, about 2.5" and they seems to be more picky in terms of food...they wont even eat Tetra bits for discus....what should i do?

[luvfishies]

Yeah, but think of the work and patience and work and love that has gone into getting those fish the size of dinnerplates!

When I had em I did 3 @ 50% waterchanges a week. and even then they stunted a little, coz I didn't do them in a barebottom tank.

Magnificent fish, with tonnes of personality.

Treat em right, and they will love you right back, and get HUGE to boot! **waterchanges, waterchanges, FOOD, waterchanges, FOOD, waterchanges waterchanges**

you get the idea

[discusFans]

haha..got it luvfishies... no wonder it cost 400 each..just think of how much i need to pay for the water bill ... LOL ....

[aidensmomma2000]

I think one thing Ive learned with fish is that they're only worth what someone will pay.
I sold off a few discus for less than half of what the LFS charge- but they don't get sold otherwise. Its fine and good to say "they're worth this because that's what I'm (or someone else) is charging" but if you cant find a buyer they're not worth much!    

I know the only way I could afford to keep discus is buying them from individuals for a fraction of what a store would charge. I think the typical price of a discus in a LFS is ridiculous...

Sorry for the rant- you guys know I'm a discus nut!  

And Discusfans- make sure you have a good variety of diet including beefheart as a staple and of course some bloodworm! Mine wont eat pellets or flake at all because Ive spoiled them- so don't give up on those :wink:

[BigDaddy]

The quick answer is

Lots of high protein food and lots and lots and lots of clean water.

With any fish... the more gallons you can get them in, the faster they will grow.

Waterchanges are essential for one simple reason:  nitrate is a growth inhibitor.

[Evan]

I saw those discus.  I was actually in shock I had to make sure that I could still read numbers properly 400 for one :!:   They are not even rare strains.

Those discus were not 8".   IMHO only one or two of them were nice.

[aidensmomma2000]

What strain(s) were they?

[Evan]

there was a PB variety, RT, BD and a couple of BD crosses when I was here.

Nothing that is considered hard to find.

[aidensmomma2000]

My sister said something the other day I though was funny; she was asking why bigger fish were more expensive- "theyre just going to die sooner".  :lol: Adults look nice- but I wonder how old those big discus are?

I thought she had a good point. I like growing fish out- almost all of my discus I bought as babies and its nice to know Ill have them a long time (knock on wood).

[discusFans]

aidensmomma2000, i got the same problem as u do...i have 6 discus..and 3 of them will eat flake. i recently bought some tetra bit..but only 1 eat it. the biggest one is the most hungry guy, will eat everything...but the rest are so picky.. i wanna give them a balance diet..but dont know how..

BigDaddy and aidensmomma2000, i am a bit confused..i know that discus need very clean water and so requires a lot of water change..but i've a planted tank. i constantly keep the nitrate level at around 5ppm and 0 ammonia....i ve about 2.5wpg of light..at this level, i think is good for my plants...so, if i do waterchange too often, i am afraid my nitrate level will go down...now, i dont need to add any nutrients after water change, except Potassium. and i do water change about 1/week@30% level. so, do u suggest me to more water change? thx for yr advise again.

[aidensmomma2000]

I keep a moderatly planted tank and I do about 50% a week. Im not rigerous about it, but everyone seems happy and healthy.

Someone said to me once (cant remember who, but someone from ovas) "when it comes to discus everyone is a chemist" which made me laugh. Im not an expert, but I might increase the percentage youre changing.  :wink:

[discusFans]

LOL..aidensmomma2000 true true...yr sister is soo right...why pay for so much for something that have a shorter lifespan...hahaha..

[Evan]

Discus can be that size in about a year with a good diet.  I have not had Discus for long enough to have experienced it, but they apparently can live 8 or so with proper care.

The real advantage to buying large discus is that you know exactly what you are getting.  If you get a bunch of small ones they will not all be great fish.

Also if it is your plan to breed there is not scuh a long wait.

[Julie]

Not often are discus that large.  Another factor to consider is the amount of work involved to get them to maximum size; and of course the H20 and the food.

Julie

[Evan]

true very rarely would they get to 8 that would be a very large fish.

But the ones in SP were average size.

[aidensmomma2000]

I think most people arent used to seeing discus over 2-3 years old in a petshop...