peppering on discus

[lilpoo]

im trying to decide what kind of discus to buy. i kinda want to stay away or minimize peppering on fishes.

[Bill63SG]

Stay away from pigeon blood based fish,these are the ones that pepper.If you still want them,stay away from dark backgrounds and dark substrate,this can incourage peppering.That being said,the fishes genetics also account for it,and not all pb's pepper with dark backgrounds/substrate.

[rickztahone]

Additionally, many have reported that pigeon blood discus tend not to pepper as much even if there is a black background when you use a light substrate such as sand, or painted white bottom.

[Tankster]

Additionally, many have reported that pigeon blood discus tend not to pepper as much even if there is a black background when you use a light substrate such as sand, or painted white bottom.

... and may even pepper those precations. I have heard around here from, Rick maybe?, that certain water Chemistry might also contribute to peppering. I can't say exactly what it was but higher levels of X can promote peppering as well.

My Marlboro red has pretty heavy peppering from the top of the mouth to the dorsal and it has been raised BB with white on three sides of the tank.

[lilpoo]

well with that said, if i bought discus with peppering theres no cure or minimizing.

[Bill63SG]

Not true.I had a pb that would pepper in a darker tank,and would clean up in a bare bottom light color tank.Also had one that it didn't matter,it stayed peppered.

[lilpoo]

ill hve to try raising some. i kinda like the pb

[Andy27012]

I have a pair of pigeon bloods from Hans and they have almost no peppering. You have to be on top of the fish and know what your looking for to see any. They are in a planted tank with a blue background and black substrate. I had the same concern as you and from what I've read and experienced, if you get them from a high quality breeder there should be little to no peppering.

[lilpoo]

im buying some pb this weekend hope for the best

[FMA4ME]

Peppering, I think this is gonna keep me away from Discus :confused:

[Bill63SG]

Peppering, I think this is gonna keep me away from Discus :confused:

Just stay away from the strains that pepper.

[lilpoo]

lol im in the same boat and i really like the red colors too so its so hard to decide. i found some frys to start out with. parents didnt seem to have peppering.

[FMA4ME]

Just stay away from the strains that pepper.

Is there a thread you can recommend? So far I've found a strain I really like, pigeon blood, looks like they pepper a lot. It's too bad Discus pepper like that. My Red Severum has some similar traits to Discus, but fatter. Hes seen questionable water and is in a dark tank, not a speck on him.

[FMA4ME]

Guess I'll just take notes from pictures.

[Mrs. J]

We purchased Pigeon Bloods from Hans. Our background is a pale green and white substrate. We have minimal peppering on the PBs, our Marlboros did pepper slightly but not enough to detract....have to look REALLY close to see it. our pb are beautiful. We are not disappointed with our choices.

[phorty]

My current tank (which was not set-up originally for discus) has black sand and black background. I have a PB that has very slight peppering. I also have a Albino Marlboro Red that has no peppering at all.

[phorty]

Here's a photo of the PB I mentioned. Mild peppering going on.
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l301/phorty89/Fish/IMG_3535_zpsec3f7c29.jpg

[FMA4ME]

Thanks Mrs. J and phorty! I keep reading buy from a reputable breeder, but in pics released by these same breeders, I swear I see peppering, but it's hard to tell in pictures. The other variable is water quality, but it seems hard to pinpoint what in the water causes it. Funny, I would have guessed albinos were most susceptible to peppering, guess not :confused:

[phorty]

I just read somewhere in the last few minutes that albino can't pepper due to lacking dark pigments.

[rickztahone]

I just read somewhere in the last few minutes that albino can't pepper due to lacking dark pigments.

correct

[FMA4ME]

Hmm.. When I see darkening on an Albino Oscar, is it something other than peppering I'm seeing? A "fake" albino?

[lilpoo]

ok so stress would not play a roll? I just bought some nickel size pb hopefully they turn out good. will keep u guys updated.

[rickztahone]

ok so stress would not play a roll? I just bought some nickel size pb hopefully they turn out good. will keep u guys updated.

stress plays a big roll in pb peppering. Additionally, if you got some pb that do not come from great stock, your changes of peppering a lot higher.