Discus fish

I asked about

inner-breeding weakens the line of fish because people want certain colors. It is like breeding purebred boxers or any other domestic animal if you aren't careful you may have more than normal health problems like my dog. I am guessing this could happen with fish also? My wife wants very colorful discus I don't mind at all I just want healthy happy fish. Answering a question from someone about how many times I do a H20 change 1-2 times weekly depending on how many fish I have, more fish I have 2 times @ 1/3 I hope this is adequate.
 
Sportsnutim said:
inner-breeding weakens the line of fish because people want certain colors. It is like breeding purebred boxers or any other domestic animal if you aren't careful you may have more than normal health problems like my dog. I am guessing this could happen with fish also? My wife wants very colorful discus I don't mind at all I just want healthy happy fish. Answering a question from someone about how many times I do a H20 change 1-2 times weekly depending on how many fish I have, more fish I have 2 times @ 1/3 I hope this is adequate.
Click to expand...


therein lies part of the problem with captive fish..inbreeding.

having colorful discus does not preclude healthy Discus.

2X weekly with 30-40% should prove adequate for adult discus. with them more is better but you can stretch it a bit.

if you are raising juveniles..I would do small daily water changes..just to remove uneaten food.
but even that can be pushed a bit.

BTW, were you able to contact Ken?
 
star_rider said:
therein lies part of the problem with captive fish..inbreeding.

having colorful discus does not preclude healthy Discus.

2X weekly with 30-40% should prove adequate for adult discus. with them more is better but you can stretch it a bit.

if you are raising juveniles..I would do small daily water changes..just to remove uneaten food.
but even that can be pushed a bit.

BTW, were you able to contact Ken?
Click to expand...

I understand what you mean about the colorful fish but each person has their own opinion on what is "colorful". I guess finding a reputable fish breeder with a great track record for long lasting healthy fish? I am going to check on Ken's right after I send this. Thanks for the info. my light blue discus is doing well now just doing his thing swimming around and enjoying himself. I heard that I need to get another one or more soon before he assumes the tank is all his and is more likely to be aggressive towards the new discus?
 
Sportsnutim said:
I understand what you mean about the colorful fish but each person has their own opinion on what is "colorful". I guess finding a reputable fish breeder with a great track record for long lasting healthy fish? I am going to check on Ken's right after I send this. Thanks for the info. my light blue discus is doing well now just doing his thing swimming around and enjoying himself. I heard that I need to get another one or more soon before he assumes the tank is all his and is more likely to be aggressive towards the new discus?
Click to expand...

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder"

you should get a small group..totallng 4 or more(depends on tank size of course)


I have purchased several discus from Ken with good luck.
it is best to try and introduce the discus at thesame time ..but you should be fine if the discus are similar in size...
 
Garlic works. It does stop infestations even after they have started. Maybe it doesn't work everytime, maybe problems are not always identified properly, but it does work. Jack Wattley recommends it in TFH, I am guessign he has more reason than 'theoretically it may help improve the immune system'. That and other sources show how garlic alone can cure internal parasite problems. I am not sure of the biology or chemistry involved in what exactly garlic does, but it does work.

I have had success in using it to treat internal parasites. It happened shortly after I got them. I had some that were showing the symptoms of internal parasites (stringy white feces, eating but still losing weight, eventually a reduction in appetite). The only thing I changed was switching to NLS Thera+A from another NLS food. The increase in garlic was the only change. After a few weeks the syptoms faded and they began to thrive along with the others.

The article should show how breeding for anything but health/hardiness may yield healthy fish for now, but in most cases it requires a reduction in gene pool. In time this will cause problems.

Yes breeders breed discus. But commercialized large scale breeders seem to produce healthier/hardier fish that will thrive in waters besides the tanks of a breeder who takes super pristine care of his fish.

All I am saying is be selective and look around.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom