Discus Buying Guidlines.

I've been doing some reading on starting out with discus, and can't defend my last posts as valid comment. Please disregard.

Long story short... I don't have the time it takes to invest in discus.

 

@Broder, like you I've always been keen on keeping Discus. I have followed this discussion, and many others, with keen interest, even bought Discus World as an ebook earlier this week. After having read numerous threads, most of the book, I've also come to the conclusion that the Discus would be better off not having me for a keeper.

Maybe one day, time permitting....

 

I hear you Jwh. I'd absolutely love to keep them, but there are just so many bad luck stories out there... And that's by people giving the best possible care! I simply don't have the stomach for watching fish not doing well.

 

Hi guys,
@Jwh and @Broder,
I think you guys are making this very complicated-unnescessarily so.

Sure- Discus are not the easiest Tropical fish to keep, but they are also by no means the most difficult.
They have a few requirements which are vital for their well-being, but so do all other creatures!

Preperation is vital -
-get a big enough tank for at least 6, and allow at least 50lit per fish.

-Make sure this tank has excellent filtration, and make sure the filtration is well seeded so no ammonia/nitrite issues will occur.

-set the temperature at 30°C. Yes you can keep them at 28°C also, but in a tank environment they will be better off in slightly warmer water. Why keep them at 28°C in anyway? What is the motivation?

-get your fish from a reliable source. Very very very important. Start with rubbish and you will lose heart. Start with good fish, even if pricier and you will have less issues.

-Keep conditions as stable as possible. Stick to routine as this will aid in stability. Always prepare the water from the same source in the same manner. Do ample water changes -aim for 100% per week with aforementioned densities (1 fish per 50liter)
These can be done as 2 x 50%, or 4 x 25% or however you please.

-Feed the fish a well balanced diet. Enough top-grade protein, enough roughage and enough vitamin rich supplementation in dry food form.

Thats about it!
Apart from that just enjoy them! No matter what anyone has to say about Discus I can give you my opinion only-and that is that absolutely nothing in this hobby beats having a group of healthy adult Discus fish eat from your hand, to enjoy their absolute brilliance up close, to look into their intelligent eyes and have them stare back at you - that is an incredible experience!
To have a pair with a 100odd attached fry, to see the gentle nature in which they care for the fry - it simply cannot be beaten and THAT makes all the effort and dedication well worth it!

Its not that hard guys - it gets hard only if you try and compromise.

Rgds

Marco

 

@Broder

As Marco has mentioned, follow the basics and discus will be very rewarding fish to keep. And there are plenty of discus keepers here on TASA to help you along the way:

Marco, Herve, Jedigenie, Eros, Reedfish, dash, mattie, myself just to name a few.

I was also nervous to get started about 3 years ago, check out my journal :

and now down the line im having spawnings from my own fish ive bred and raised. Very rewarding.

Id say go for it man!!