I Did Something You Should Not Do.

[snowflake311]

So after hearing people talk about how discus are not that hard to keep I have been doing lots of research on them. I feel my fish keeping skills are ready for that next step. I did not want to run out and order some pricey fish. So I heard my lfs was getting 3 in. I got there right when they were dropped off. 2 of them I will be suprised if they make it. The one I got looked good for being in nasty yellow dirt water. He was even being active. He is only 2" not shy at all and $20. So I bought him or her but not any others because they looked like death and had some kind of open wound.

Don't hate me or yell at me. I just really wanted to see if I could raise one of these guys. If I like him and he does well then I will be setting up my old 55 gal as a discus tank or sort out my stock to make room. He is in a 20gal bare bottom tank alone. I will be doing daily wc and feeding frozen food like bloodworms and beefheart mix. I will be doing everything he needs but he might end up being an only fish for awhile. Yes yes I know they are best kept in groups of 5+ but they can live alone. He will have a festivum as a tank mate because looks like 3 is not the magic number for them 2 are growing fast one is still small so I am going to split them up. I'm not suprised these are also "schooling" cichlids.

Oh yeah when I was getting him out of the bag he jumped and filppes around a little I freaked out and got him. For having such a rough day he is doing great fins out swimming around I'm suprised.

 

[snowflake311]

Thats him after being let go. not the color I would have picked can't wait to see what his true colors will be.

 

[hamfist]

Uh oh !!! Another new fish. Fish addict alert !!!

Good luck with him SF. Hope it all works out.

 

[snowflake311]

Haha I know. It was just all this talk about discus (mark and his pretty fish) then reading they are not tha hard to keep. I had to try it for myself. Not doing a full on discus tank yet just getting my feet wet.

 

[DiscusKeeper403]

Good luck with him. He is a pigeon blood type and still small, so I am sure he will color up after a few months. As I am sure you know, he might tend to be a little shy without a few buddies (that's a great excuse to buy more )

 

[star4]

I cant see a problem with just having 1 to see how you go, pretty looking fish

 

[markandhisfish]

you will definately be surprised how easy they are to keep so long as their basic requirements are met. ......... so anyway looks like another 1 has been converted

 

[snowflake311]

This little guys is not shy. I have only had him for 13 hr. He comes out when I go to check on him. He had 2 frozen blood worms. Now is being picky and just tasteing them. But showing lots of interest in the food. He is just not sure he likes it. He is alone and seems to be fine not skitish or shy. He is happy just swimming around picking at the food right now. I think I will name him or her Peep.

I was going to go look at some other discus today, but I'm not sure. Because this guy seems fine as an only. If I add another they might hate eachother I don't have room for a group at the moment. Well I could keep 4 for in the 36 gal till they got too big. I want to wait till I have my stock all worked out. I really would like to get some wild discus I have been reading up on them. Or some F1 or some strain that are close to wild. Because the wild discus are just so pretty.

 

[rdp50734]

Good luck with him! I hope they meet your expectations, they weren't as I had imagined being a cichlid. To each there own and I hope you do enjoy him and his future buddies! Keep trying to hand feed as much bas you can it will pay off in the end!

 

[Glenbo1981]

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[england]

Grrrrrr at you lot.....your all getting new stuff and iam selling all mine, boo hoo.....oscars now gone

 

[snowflake311]

Nelly sorry you have to give up your fish. I'm sure you will have an awesome colection once you get all set up in your new place.

I'm in love. This little guy is great. He eats well and loves his frozen blood worms. He looks better today with a bit more color. He swims around his tank all over the place checking everything out. He even shows off.

I can't wait till he colors up. I hope he get some paterns on his body. How big does he have to be till I start to see what he really is? He is a Pigeon but I don't know what kind. What do you think he will look like?

 

[DiscusKeeper403]

I can't wait till he colors up. I hope he get some paterns on his body. How big does he have to be till I start to see what he really is? He is a Pigeon but I don't know what kind. What do you think he will look like?

It's hard to say exactly what he will look like, sometimes it can take up to two years to fully develop their color, but give it a good 5 months and you should see a huge difference from now.

 

[walkers101]

Grr i want my discus

 

[ajs2294]

Looks like a very nicely shaped Discus. And judging by the peppering hes a happy not stressed little guy. His colors will change drastically from month to month and from 12-18 months they can almost completely change in colors. Those that look like Red turquoise can turn into perfect red its pretty awesome to see, So take lots of pictures as he grows. I'm 95% sure hes a Pigeon Blood but for $20 at a random shop there's no guarantees, but hes still very pretty . One thing I'll say which you probably have heard a million times water changes water changes water changes, the fish appreciate it and the colors will show. I guarantee that guy will be in the 55 with buddies in no time

Edit: I'll add a link to a great site that shows the colors of most discus from small to big here just click colors from small to big Discus Colors