Name that fish!

[in the pines]

I found this fish in the March 2008 POTM voting thread and they are beautiful. This will probably be an easy answer for anyone familiar with fish. I just don't know diddly. Yet.

A friend gave me a tank with all the trimmings and as soon as I move to Erie, I plan on setting it up, and I want one of these guys, I think.

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=43582&stc=1&d=1204392861

 

[JasonR]

Discus

http://www.aqua-fish.net/show.php?h=discusfish

 

[Bitsy]

I'm not trying to be a party pooper or anything but I wouldn't recommend starting out in this hobby with discus. Not only are they fairly expensive but they are very sensitive fish that require pristine water conditions. If you are interested in keeping discus it's something that I would work up to after you get some aquatic experience under your belt.

 

[Arakkis]

Not a beginner fish..

 

[nickmcmechan]

keep fish for a year or two, use your aquired skills and knowledge at that time to venture into discus keeping

is it a large bright coloured cichlid you want?

 

[Star_Rider]

I agree, they are not the best fish to start with.
you should aquire some fish keeping skills then move to discus.

they can be more difficult to keep compared to some other fish.

 

[pinkertd]

And I agree too!! I am not new to fishkeeping, been at it for years. And even with that behind me, my first tank of young discus taught me a lot.....unfortunately at their expense! Learn everything you can about keeping these magnificent fish first. In some respects, they are no more fussy than any other fish.. All young fish should be fed several times a day...it's no different for rams or cories than for discus. And water changes....all young fish should have the benefit of many water changes especially because of heavy feedings and resulting waste. And discus are way bigger baby fish than say rams or cory babies, kept in larger tanks, so yes, that will result in larger and more frequent water changes. 5 young cories in a 55 gallon tank growing aren't going to need near the frequent water changes that young discus at 3.5" are going to need. And when adequate food is denied to any young, growing fish, it will show in growth rate. It's much more noticeable in a big baby fish than little baby fish and thus will be more noticeable at adult size as well. Just my 5 cents worth.

 

[in the pines]

Right yes, as soon as I read discus, I remembered why I settled on the neon dwarf gourami. So I'll stick with the gouramis. And soothe myself with an apple snail as well.

 

[Bitsy]

Right yes, as soon as I read discus, I remembered why I settled on the neon dwarf gourami. So I'll stick with the gouramis. And soothe myself with an apple snail as well.

Gouramis are very colorful and full of personality too!!

Glad to see that you took the responsible route! We are all here with any other questions you may have. Hope you find fish keeping as relaxing and enjoyable as I do!