Jim Curtis
Fishaholic
In the middle of July I purchased Two, 2 1/2" discus from my local LFS. They are Red Turq's. I did plenty of research and altho im not following the guidlines to growing out discus exactly, I am having (i feel) good success. Initially after purchasing I got myself worried that they were stunted based on hundreds of threads containing poor quality pictures and poor explinations of what really to look for in stunted discus. I'm still not 100% sure that they are not slightly stunted, but im 95% sure. After I started to see a bit of growth I got excited about them again and I ordered 3 more from a breeder online. I got those fish about 2 or 3 weeks ago, including 2 Marlboro Reds and a very small (maybe not quite 2") Blue Cobalt. I'm not exactly thrilled with one of the Red Marlboros I received as it is pretty badly peppered compared to the other, however it was significantly larger than advertised. Im doubting they are from the same batch. My camera is terrible with taking aquarium pics, it is afterall a camera phone, and im having a hard time taking photos that give a true representation of there size since its a bowfront, and its deep. I did'nt want to post this until they really matured but Im bored at the moment and took pictures already so here it goes..
This is a 55 Gallon tank, planted with DIY Co2, a small school of tetras and 2 cory cats. I feed at least 5 and up to 7 times a day until they look like they are bloated and ready to hurl, from a selection of Beef Heart, Tetra Bits, Bloodworms, and Ocean Nutrition frozen discus formula. I spend about an hour a day, everyday after work cleaning and doing water changes. My girlfriend thinks im totally mad but I think is begining to understand my compulsion. I really am driven to succeed in growing these things out and having them be nice and round. Right now, im still unsure im on the right track and I really am unsure as to the ages of the discus when I received them. But, the 2-1/2" Turqs I bought in mid July are now nearly 4", the shipment I received in August are keeping pace.
Im sorry that this post seems to be going all over the place but I just wanted to add that while I didnt go barebottom, (the only other tank I have is a small QT tank), beause I dont want to lose my plants. I did remove more than 50% of the substrate and in some areas the tank is bare bottom, the substrate is built up around the plants but is literally 1 stone deep elsewhere.
I only have one picture of the fish when I first got them, It's hard to judge the size of the fish, but you can see that they are taking on a better shape..
Oh, and as a side effect to all of this my tetras have grown freakishly large and look to be outgrowing there bodies so to speak.
Ok, the earliest pic I have, within the first few days of when acquired..
Pics from tonight, Largest fish (earliest ones and heavy peppered red marlboro) are nearly 4" from end to end. Smaller Red Marlboro is about 3-1/4" and the smallest guy is not quite 3". The only true indication of there age is that fact that they are still far from having their adult coloration.
Does eye size look ok? That is one aspect of all of this that im having a hard time getting a handle on..
Oh, and at what size can you expect them to really start to round out? If that makes sense..
I'm going to make a very strong effort to not be my overly defensive self, first clue is that im posting this publicly. I want all of you're criticism (about the fish, not my writing skills) comments and questions..
Thanks..
This is a 55 Gallon tank, planted with DIY Co2, a small school of tetras and 2 cory cats. I feed at least 5 and up to 7 times a day until they look like they are bloated and ready to hurl, from a selection of Beef Heart, Tetra Bits, Bloodworms, and Ocean Nutrition frozen discus formula. I spend about an hour a day, everyday after work cleaning and doing water changes. My girlfriend thinks im totally mad but I think is begining to understand my compulsion. I really am driven to succeed in growing these things out and having them be nice and round. Right now, im still unsure im on the right track and I really am unsure as to the ages of the discus when I received them. But, the 2-1/2" Turqs I bought in mid July are now nearly 4", the shipment I received in August are keeping pace.
Im sorry that this post seems to be going all over the place but I just wanted to add that while I didnt go barebottom, (the only other tank I have is a small QT tank), beause I dont want to lose my plants. I did remove more than 50% of the substrate and in some areas the tank is bare bottom, the substrate is built up around the plants but is literally 1 stone deep elsewhere.
I only have one picture of the fish when I first got them, It's hard to judge the size of the fish, but you can see that they are taking on a better shape..
Oh, and as a side effect to all of this my tetras have grown freakishly large and look to be outgrowing there bodies so to speak.
Ok, the earliest pic I have, within the first few days of when acquired..
Pics from tonight, Largest fish (earliest ones and heavy peppered red marlboro) are nearly 4" from end to end. Smaller Red Marlboro is about 3-1/4" and the smallest guy is not quite 3". The only true indication of there age is that fact that they are still far from having their adult coloration.
Does eye size look ok? That is one aspect of all of this that im having a hard time getting a handle on..
Oh, and at what size can you expect them to really start to round out? If that makes sense..
I'm going to make a very strong effort to not be my overly defensive self, first clue is that im posting this publicly. I want all of you're criticism (about the fish, not my writing skills) comments and questions..
Thanks..
You should find that they grow at least another inch, maybe two. (again, talking the 4 inch fish) but probably not more then that. They will most likely stay the same shape. Don't fret. This probably isn't your fault. Could be due to the suppliers stunting the fish, or a weaker strain of fish to begin with.
