What size did you order from him, cause thats awesome!!!
The two that are spawning arrived in January at 4 1/2 and 5 inches. They've grown since then. They're probably 11 months old now?
I dont know why, but trying to keep discus scares me.
The one in the first picture (mostly orangish with white) is that the one that is a Penang Eruption? Whatever that one is I really like that one it's a awesome looking fish.
I think that is the Pigeon Checkboard. The Penang Eruption is in the second picture on right. Both look awesome.
Yep, the first picture is of the Pigeon Checkerboard. The Penang Eruption is on the right in the second picture and is the one in the very last picture spawning on the flower pot. The White Butterfly is also pigeon based. Anything with "pigeon blood" needs to be chosen with care. They have a tendency towards peppering which isn't real pretty. Good breeding, preventing stress and avoiding dark substrate helps to prevent the peppering.
I'm retired and have the luxury of time to be able to fuss over these fish. I've been syphoning out their tanks several times a day, aging the water for their daily large water changes and feeding several different food concoctions 4-5 times per day. (None home made though.) I've seen pictures of discus that don't get the "ultra-care" during grow out and they end up stunted with huge eyes and weird football shaped, small bodies. I'd rather err on the side of being overly cautious due to having taken the plunge on the cost of these guys and wanting to keep them looking good.
Once the discus reach an acceptable size and shape the water changes can be done fewer times per week depending on the size of the tank and the overall bio-load. Some get away with once a week. Acceptable size would be a personal choice from what I gather. Probably around 5"+ for "pets" but breeders/show quality discus strive for that 7" discus. Note, as a disclaimer, that this info is per lots of research. I haven't reached this stage of discus keeping yet.
I'm going to break the rules of the "purists" and put these guys in a sand bottom, planted tank pretty soon. The tank has a black background. Some contend that the light substrate offsets the effects of a dark background while others feel that a light background and substrate are necessary to prevent darkening and peppering in the discus. I'm going to put underwater lighting behind the plants at the back of the tank. Hopefully my plan works.
Thank all of you for your compliments. I appreciate them.
