If you're extremely lucky, there MIGHT be a local hobby breeder with healthy fish. But you won't get much, if any, choice of strains or size. Get the pretty fish strain(s) you have your heart set on, pay for shipping or gas & do all the work required to get them or keep to their optimal form, they'll be worth it! If you have specific types & sizes you want, call or email with the supplier to make sure they have what you want before you pull the trigger on them. Otherwise they'll just be "practice discus", lesser fish you keep alive if you're lucky but not the awesome discus you know you want. Do it right or wait until you're ready to pay the price & do the work...ain't no bargain discus from what I've seen...
Sorry to be so blunt but that's my opinion & my experience although my last "practice hobby-bred discus" were just the type I wanted (mostly, lol, looks anyway if not exact breeding) & I did indeed work very hard for them. Think hard about what discus you're willing work for, you may want to wait until the moment's just right (midwest winters are not optimal driving or shipping times IME). This is not a decision you want to rush, but good luck, whatever you decide.
