I know that there are varying opinions as to the healthof discus in planted and/or community aquaria, but I would like to get everyone's opinion on this. My LFS has a continual supply of small (2-3") discus on sale for $7.99. They aren't the prettiest discus I've ever seen but they have a couple things going for them. First, they have been raised on pellets. Second, they are the furthest thing imaginable from timid. They follow your finger across the tank and seem really happy and healthy. Finally, they are accustomed to non-specie tankmates as I've seen them coupled with angels, cardinals, and even tiger barbs and balas. Are there any drawbacks you can see to this deal, besides the lack of spectacular color. They aren't ugly by any means, but just aren't the finest specimens. Thanks.
Cheap discuc
- Thread starter orgetorix
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$7.99 for discus? I think you can't go wrong. I've never had them, but I know that most people avoid the 2" ones since they
have a much higher survival rate when they are 3"+.
I like the idea that they will take the pellets. If they were my fish, I'd also give them frozen food. It is very easy to use.
I would go for it, if you have the time to do massive water changes 3x a week, and if your water is not very hard, and pH below 7.5 for so.
have a much higher survival rate when they are 3"+.
I like the idea that they will take the pellets. If they were my fish, I'd also give them frozen food. It is very easy to use.
I would go for it, if you have the time to do massive water changes 3x a week, and if your water is not very hard, and pH below 7.5 for so.
why bother?
I don't want this to sound TOO uppity, but the best is still the best and second rate is still second rate. I myself would look at flawed fish and only see the flaws. These things should live for years. Do you really want to look at second rate fish for that long?
Now maybe if you are 1) running some health experiment with high chances of failure, or 2) just starting out and don't know what you are doing (see 1), then maybe feeder quality fish make sense.
I remember my tighter budget days pretty well. I did not always succeed at this, but I saved to buy the best I could get. I have only ever regretted getting by more cheaply; the dollars spent on higher quality only hurt if you kill them off quickly, never when they live for a long time. If you are in it for the longer run, buy the best fish you can. Especially if you think you may want to breed them in the future, you owe it to the species to perpetuate quality.
I don't want this to sound TOO uppity, but the best is still the best and second rate is still second rate. I myself would look at flawed fish and only see the flaws. These things should live for years. Do you really want to look at second rate fish for that long?
Now maybe if you are 1) running some health experiment with high chances of failure, or 2) just starting out and don't know what you are doing (see 1), then maybe feeder quality fish make sense.
I remember my tighter budget days pretty well. I did not always succeed at this, but I saved to buy the best I could get. I have only ever regretted getting by more cheaply; the dollars spent on higher quality only hurt if you kill them off quickly, never when they live for a long time. If you are in it for the longer run, buy the best fish you can. Especially if you think you may want to breed them in the future, you owe it to the species to perpetuate quality.
I think you missed my point. The fish seem to be of the upmost health, they just don't show the intense coloration that make some discus I've seen go for several hundred dollars. My question is aimed at possible uncovering anything I may not have considered. Thanks for your replies.
get thee to simplydiscus.com
Well, there are plenty of discus types with subdued colors, so if you are okay with that, go for it. Shape, though, is an important part of discus quality. Round circle shape is good, football shape is not. Another thing to look for is relative eye size - eyes too big suggest runts that may not grow to full size. Lots more to consider too...
There have been some threads on simplydiscus.com which discuss qualitative issues - if you want to be an informed buyer you might look there first. My take is that color preferences are subjective, but there are plenty of other objective things to look for.
Besides, coloration may not be fully expressed at that age/size. Maybe your lfs is getting good fish and you get a great deal, or maybe some breeder is using them to sell culls. The burden is on you to know the difference and the people at Simply can help.
Well, there are plenty of discus types with subdued colors, so if you are okay with that, go for it. Shape, though, is an important part of discus quality. Round circle shape is good, football shape is not. Another thing to look for is relative eye size - eyes too big suggest runts that may not grow to full size. Lots more to consider too...
There have been some threads on simplydiscus.com which discuss qualitative issues - if you want to be an informed buyer you might look there first. My take is that color preferences are subjective, but there are plenty of other objective things to look for.
Besides, coloration may not be fully expressed at that age/size. Maybe your lfs is getting good fish and you get a great deal, or maybe some breeder is using them to sell culls. The burden is on you to know the difference and the people at Simply can help.
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If they look healthy and aren't stunted go for it, though if they're two inches know you'll need room for a group and an auto feeder. Maybe the colours aren't fashionable, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder - if its' a local guy ask if you can see the parents - maybe they're a blue / brown cross pair or something else considered 'valueless'. But people pay the most money it seems for things like marlboros that I tihnk look dreadful - personal taste