Comment by Hunter D. on July 3, 2012 at 2:03am

Are discus really that hard to keep? Because I've heard some people say they are, and some say their not. And do they need RODI water? Thanks!

Comment by Sidney Hornsby on July 3, 2012 at 3:22pm

They arent a beginner fish but if you have experience you will be fine. I recommend to anyone that wants to start with a new species to do their research. Studying about the species first for a week or two is everything. And ROD water isnt a must I dont use it that much at all. I use it every other month to kick my breeding pair into breeding. 

Comment by Robert Jango on July 10, 2012 at 5:55am

Here are the questions concerning your breeding pair of Discus. I know some of the answers can be gleaned from your posts but I just want to be sure. Take your time answering - I'm noet in a rush.

TANK 

What size tank are they in? 

How many tank-mates did they have before you removed them?

What were the other fish?

Is the tank in a busy area of the house or is it left alone?

WATER

What is the water temperature?

Did you ever change the temperature?

From where do you get your water?

If from tap does your supplier publish its water analysis online (they’re supposed to)

What is the PH?

Did you ever change the PH?

What is the GH or general hardness (in ppm or the German Hardness scale)

Do you condition your water before putting it in the tank?

Do you change your water?  

If so, how often and how much each time?

EXTRAS

• LIGHT

What do you use for light?

How often is it kept on?

Does the tank get sunlight?

• SUBSTRATE

What kind of substrate did you use?

Do you clean it?

• PLANTS

Are there plants in the substrate?

If so, what kind?

Are there plants in the tank but not in the substrate?

• FILTERS

Did you use a filter?

If so, what kind of filter?

What do you put in the filter?

Do you use an airstone? 

FISH

How big were they when they bred?

Do you know how old they were?

How long did you have them before they bred?

Did the Discus pair off in an obvious way before spawning?

Did they separate from the other Discus and attack them after pairing off?

What did you feed the fish and how often?

When you approach, do they swim up to you expecting to be fed or hide?

 

Comment by Sidney Hornsby on July 10, 2012 at 11:43am

TANK 

What size tank are they in? 55 gallon

How many tank-mates did they have before you removed them? 4 other discus, 6 angels, 7 cardinal tetras, 6 cory cats, and pleco.

What were the other fish? pleco discus cory cats cardinal tetras.

Is the tank in a busy area of the house or is it left alone?busy area (living room)

WATER

What is the water temperature? 84 F

Did you ever change the temperature? every now and then to 82F

From where do you get your water? Tap but sometimes well water.

If from tap does your supplier publish its water analysis online (they’re supposed to)

What is the PH?my PH reads around a 7.

Did you ever change the PH? never had to change the ph

What is the GH or general hardness (in ppm or the German Hardness scale)i dont know

Do you condition your water before putting it in the tank?yes

Do you change your water?  yes 

If so, how often and how much each time?about once every 2 weeks and about 50%

EXTRAS

• LIGHT

What do you use for light?dont know watt but they are the lights that come with a new 55 from petco.

How often is it kept on?from 7am to 9:30pm

Does the tank get sunlight?yes on the right hand corner

• SUBSTRATE

What kind of substrate did you use?gravel and play sand

Do you clean it?yes

• PLANTS

Are there plants in the substrate?yes

If so, what kind? jungle val, amazon swords, bamboo, xmas moss, and lugwuigia

Are there plants in the tank but not in the substrate?they are in the sub

• FILTERS

Did you use a filter? yes

If so, what kind of filter? hang on filter

What do you put in the filter?carbon spongues and carbon filters

Do you use an airstone? yes

FISH

How big were they when they bred? 5inches

Do you know how old they were? around 11 months approx

How long did you have them before they bred?8 months

Did the Discus pair off in an obvious way before spawning? no

Did they separate from the other Discus and attack them after pairing off? yes and no (just very protective of their eggs)

What did you feed the fish and how often?brine shrimp, beefheart, bloodworms, and tetra flake. 3 times a day.

When you approach, do they swim up to you expecting to be fed or hide?swim to me

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