Shawn's 65 gallon Stendker grow out

[swright135]

Hello my name is Shawn.
My tank is a 65 gallon that has been running since April. For filtration I have 2 Hydro 4 sponge filters and a AC110 HOB. My heater is a 300W Jager. My tap water has no PH swing so I'm able to do 70 to 80% water changes daily with the Python system. I ordered 6 fish from Hans at end of May. My order included 2 German Wonders, 2 Cobalts, and 2 Snakeskin blues. 1 of the Snakeskins actually ended up being a Flachen x Snakeskin.

[swright135]

The fish were all three inches when I received them.
Here are some pictures from the first day.
German Wonder
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Flachen x snakeskin
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Cobalt
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German Wonder
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Blue Snakeskin
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Cobalt
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[swright135]

After adding the fish everything went well for the first 2 weeks except that my tank was not completely cycled. I had gone through the fisless cycle before purchasing the fish. I never got a high reading for nitrite but I was getting some nitrate reading around 10 to 20ppm. I believe this was due to the starter bacteria I used to help the cycle. Once I added the fish the cycle was kick started and I was fighting ammonia and nitrite. So I had to do two water changes a day till the tank cycled. This ended up stressing my fish and three of them stopped eating. Between the cycle not being complete and me scaring them all the time they showed signs of hex. So, I treated them with Metro for 7 days and all of the fish recovered.

[swright135]

After going through the tank cycling and the fish getting sick I'm forgetting to enjoy the hobby and asking myself if I really want to do this. But after getting the fish to start eating again I start to settle into a routine of 4 to 6 feedings a day and a 70 to 80 percent water change a day. The fish are happy and seem to be doing well.
Here are some pictures around 2 months after getting them. They are 4 inches or bigger and the color is starting to get better.
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They are huddled together after water change
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[swright135]

At the end of July I am really enjoying these flat fish and I want another one that is a bit different. After hours of looking online making a choice and then changing my mind over and over again I finally decide. I order a 4 inch Pigeon Blood Blue from Hans.
I receive the fish on the first week of August
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Here are some pictures from when I got him next to my two smallest fish. The blue snakeskin and one of the German Wonders.
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[swright135]

Here are some pictures from the second week of September. Some of the fish have reached 5 inches. They are pretty happy and healthy.
Smallest
Blue snakeskin
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German Wonder
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Cobalt
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German Wonder
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Pigeon Blood Blue
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Flachen x Snakeskin
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Cobalt
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[Altum Nut]

Hey Shawn...sorry you had a rough start with your water cycle but you were persistent and went through the proper measures and I tell you it sure paid off. Your Stendkers look well filled in and happy. Thanks for sharing your experience.

...Ralph

[swright135]

Ralph thank you for your kind words

[swright135]

Here are some pictures from October. Most have reached 5 inches except 2 but they are around 4.5 to 4.75 inches long.

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[swright135]

Pictures from November
Cobalt
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Flachen x Snakeskin
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Pigeon Blood Blue
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Cobalt
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German Wonder
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German Wonder
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Blue Snakeskin
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[swright135]

Last post to bring my tank journal up to date. 2 weeks ago I ordered another discus from Hans. I got a 4 inch Leopard Snakeskin. So far it is doing well with the other fish and in fact the aggression in the tank has been less. Only problem now is I need a bigger tank.

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[Mando]

Your fish look beautiful! Do you qt your new arrivals?

[swright135]

Mando thank you for the compliment.

I did not QT. Reason being when I asked Hans about QT, he said it was not necessary if the only fish in the tank were from him.

[MickO'S]

Some journey so far!
The fish are really looking great now 👍 they seem to have a really nice shape despite the bad start with the ammonia.

I love reading all these threads and experiences we all have, it’s real learning from real world situations, not peoples opinions that may be good or bad or even best practice guidelines from the different breeders.

Thanks for the thread

Mick

[danotaylor]

All your fish look great mate...really nice...I am curious and have a question though; how did you come to the conclusion that you have a flachen x snake skin? I thought all of Hans Stendkers were pure strain discus? Also do you have a full tank shot that you can show us? Cheers mate :thumbsup:

[swright135]

Mick thanks for the compliment, I was super stressed when I started having problems and was worried how they were going to turn out. Now I'm happy with where they are.

I agree with you about learning from the threads, especially the ones that have been updated over time and the good and bad are shared no matter what.

[swright135]

Daniel thank you for the compliment.

When I got the two snakeskins they looked the same but as they got bigger the Flachen started to lose its markings . So I emailed Hans a picture and asked him about the lack of markings. He said I had received a Flachen x Snakeskin by mistake. As far as a pure strain, the Flachen x Snakeskin are offered as one of Stendker strains.

I will post a tank shot later tonight after the water change.

[danotaylor]

Gotcha mate, thanks for the explanation. I don't remember seeing the cross when I was looking at their stock. Nice looking fish. I love the SS markings on the face.
Looking forward to seeing your FTS

[swright135]

Daniel the markings on the face and the trailer that started to develop is why he is my favorite.

I was looking at your thread and I love those red and yellow beauties you have. Also I'm a little jealous of the 120 you have. I don't think I could get away with any bigger than a 90 gallon.

Here are a couple FTS from after a water change and a cube of FDBW

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[danotaylor]

Thanks for the FTS mate, and for the compliment about my fish. Your 90 gallon is lovely and clean, and still a nice size tank for discus. Mine is actually pretty old a scratched up, but its all I have lol.
One thing I learned on SD is that most lay there heater horizontally on the bottom to discourage discus laying their eggs on it. As you guys get bigger and start to pair off you may wanna make that adjustment ;)
Looking g forward to watching your group grow mate :)

[swright135]

Hello and happy holidays to everyone.

Update on the tank and my discus. Tank is stable and not much has changed. Been thinking about adding a second heater and a heater regulator. Anyone have any suggestions for a regulator? Do I need a second heater?

Also I will be saving for a bigger tank after the first of the year. I need a tank that is at least 4ft long. Which would be better a 75 or a 90?

As for the discus they are doing great. Growth has slowed down for the first seven but I believe 3 of them are approaching 6" and getting thick. The Leopard Snakeskin is doing great and has already grown about a 1/2" in less than a month.
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The last two fish would not cooperate with me so here are the best pictures I could get of the Blue and Leopard Snakeskin.
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[Mando]

Nice and round! Flachen is one of my favorite strains. GJ on growing them out. I'd go with a 90g. I got a 75g and I regret not going bigger.

[SNap0283]

That Blue pigeon is stunning, great job raising out these fish. I always use two heaters, if one dies the tank wont crash in temp, or if it gets "stuck on" it can only heat the water so much alone and wont cook the fish. Also I lay the heaters on the bottom of the tank so they can be left plugged in and don't need to be moved during 90% water changes.

All of the fish are from Hans and there is perhaps no one in the hobby with a better reputation so you were able to skip quarantine but I would not make this a habit. Even if fish are from the same source months later I would still take the safe route and QT everything new I bring into my fish room. Even the best sources in the hobby have a problem from time to time, there are countless stories on these forums of that happening with stock from even the best breeders. Its just not worth the risk!!

[swright135]

Nice and round! Flachen is one of my favorite strains. GJ on growing them out. I'd go with a 90g. I got a 75g and I regret not going bigger.

Thanks Mondo. Flachens are pretty nice, the color on them really stands out in comparison to the cobalt. I am leaning towards a 90. Just concerned about the weight.

[swright135]

That Blue pigeon is stunning, great job raising out these fish. I always use two heaters, if one dies the tank wont crash in temp, or if it gets "stuck on" it can only heat the water so much alone and wont cook the fish. Also I lay the heaters on the bottom of the tank so they can be left plugged in and don't need to be moved during 90% water changes.

All of the fish are from Hans and there is perhaps no one in the hobby with a better reputation so you were able to skip quarantine but I would not make this a habit. Even if fish are from the same source months later I would still take the safe route and QT everything new I bring into my fish room. Even the best sources in the hobby have a problem from time to time, there are countless stories on these forums of that happening with stock from even the best breeders. Its just not worth the risk!!

Snap thank you for the compliment. The Pigeon has one of the roundest shapes, this one had great shape from the first day.

Can you run two heaters through a heater controller? And would I need to go to smaller heaters instead of my 300w and a smaller one?

In the future I plan on QTing any new additions just to be safe.

[swright135]

Love it when they greet you at the front of the tank. They always seem hungry.

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[SNap0283]

I don't bother messing with heat controllers and all that new fancy stuff. A couple of submersible heaters that are completely independent of each other is all. For a 65 I would probably run 2-250W heaters. But that depends on the tank and room it is in. As long as neither heater is powerful enough to quickly raise the temp so that if it got stuck "on" it wouldn't cook the fish before you would notice a problem and you should be fine.

[swright135]

Quick update. Tank is good still saving for a new tank. The fish are doing well. I went out of town for a few days and they did well, just a little skiddish when I turned the light on for the first time in 4 days. Here are some new pictures from today.

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[swright135]

Time for the monthly update. Fish are doing well. I have decreased feedings since the growth has slowed. Still daily water changes. I haven't pulled the trigger on a bigger tank yet or different heaters. It will be soon. The thing I worry about is when I get the new tank I will want 6 to 8 new discus for the old tank. Also, recently started a 20 gallon tank with German Blue and Golden rams. The Rams are fun little fish.

Here are some new pictures I took today

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Here is picture of one of my new Rams

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[swright135]

Finally got my new tank. I got a 72 gallon bow front and I'm very happy with it. The fish seem to have so much more room. I would of liked to of gone with a 90 or bigger but I did not want to risk that much weight in my house. I painted the back blue and the bottom white.

It sure was stressful moving them but I got them in the tank this morning. They soaked me when I netted them, the sure have gotten big.

Here is picture of the new setup.
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[danotaylor]

Nice one mate...I love the 72 gal bowfronts...classy look fo'sho:thumbsup:

[swright135]

Nice one mate...I love the 72 gal bowfronts...classy look fo'sho:thumbsup:

Thanks Daniel. I really like the new tank a lot. So much easier to take care of than the 65 gallon was.

[swright135]

Here are some natural light pictures that I took today.
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Pretty happy with these guys especially since they are the first fish I ever kept.

[swright135]

Time for the monthly update. The fish are doing great, ever since I moved them into the new tank they seem more active and happy. I painted the bottom white on the new tank and it seems to not create the mirror effect that I had with the white card stock I used on the 65. The fish don't seem to spook as easily as they did and I would say it is due to the painted bottom.

My runt has done a lot better in the new tank as well. First to the food and more interactive with the group. I think he has grown some too.

No breeding activity yet, but I do notice two fish that tend to stay close together all the time. Maybe in the next couple months I will start to see some activity.

As I approach the one year mark of my discus journey I am even more enthralled and addicted to these fish. Every day I spend a large portion of my time thinking/planning on how I can get more of them. Definitely a rewarding fish to own.

[danotaylor]

Update pics mate? Can you post a full tank shot so we can see your set up? Glad you're enjoying your journey, and thanks for sharing it with us!

[swright135]

New pictures from today
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[swright135]

Full tank shot
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[Filip]

Great colection of discus . They even look better on a natural light than In your actual tank lights .

[danotaylor]

That was quick mate...lookin super nice...thanks for sharing! :D

[swright135]

Great colection of discus . They even look better on a natural light than In your actual tank lights .

Thank you Flip.

[swright135]

That was quick mate...lookin super nice...thanks for sharing! :D

Thanks Daniel

[timvriens]

Great looking fish, keep up the good work ��

[jmaldo]

"Beautiful"
Just read through your thread. Thanks for sharing. Expecting to start my journey in a few weeks.

[swright135]

Great looking fish, keep up the good work ��

Thank you tim.

[swright135]

"Beautiful"
Just read through your thread. Thanks for sharing. Expecting to start my journey in a few weeks.

Thanks Joe, hope your journey with your Blue Diamonds go well.

[swright135]

Monthly update time.

It has been a year since I got the first 6 and they are doing great. All are healthy and interactive. Been working on getting another tank so I can get more discus.

Now some new pictures.
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[Willie]

Wonderful job! Raising discus is so simple if you just keep the tank clean and make big water changes.

Willie

[abijitr]

Great journey! Beautiful fish!!! I am on the same path, growing out Stendkers from Hans... it has been 2 months and so far so good!

[slicksta]

They look great... Good work!
I've always liked the trailing fin_age as in your second photo. I had a very similar fish many years ago.

[swright135]

Wonderful job! Raising discus is so simple if you just keep the tank clean and make big water changes.

Willie

Thanks Willie. It really is simple...hardest part now is convincing wife that I need more..lol

[swright135]

Great journey! Beautiful fish!!! I am on the same path, growing out Stendkers from Hans... it has been 2 months and so far so good!

Thanks. Hope your fish continue to do well. What variety did you get from Hans?

[swright135]

They look great... Good work!
I've always liked the trailing fin_age as in your second photo. I had a very similar fish many years ago.

Thanks Slicksta. The Flachen's trailer just started to really get longer. He is one of my favorites.

[abijitr]

Thanks. Hope your fish continue to do well. What variety did you get from Hans?


2 Leopard Snakeskins - they are doing great!
2 Red Leopard Snakeskins - doing so-so, relatively slower growth
2 Red Scribbled- doing great!
2 Brilliant Turquoise- doing great!
2 Blue Snakeskins- also doing great!

My tank is in front of a huge window, so can’t take good pics... Would love to post pics and get inputs from experts here otherwise

[swright135]

Abi sounds like a great combination. I would love to see what the new red leopard look like. Also would like to see your tank

[swright135]

Monthly update time. Fish are doing great..all seem healthy and happy. Still no breeding activity maybe I have all males or females.

Separate note, picked up a used 72 gallon bow front and will be starting another discus tank. Only a few more items to buy before I can get fish. Thinking of getting 4 brilliant Turks and 4 red Turks.

[swright135]

Updated pictures

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[abijitr]

I bought them all 4 inches, red leopards look exactly like leopards ... just that the body is white and spots are red. And it’s pigeon blood so peppers a little... unfortunately mine aren’t growing well... they eat well and are happy ... hoping that growth spurt will happen at some point

[swright135]

Another month has gone by and time for an update. The other day I had an issue with the Leopard, either it was bloated from the fish flakes or I may have hurt itself when it became startled. It would all of a sudden have trouble swimming and begin to tail stand. It wouldn't last long but I saw it do this three times. I did a water change and added some salt to ease stress. The next morning it seemed back to normal and hasn't had issues since. I will continue to monitor it closely just in case. The rest of the fish are doing great but still no breeding activity. Pictures to follow.

[swright135]

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[danotaylor]

Looking good Shawn! :D

[abijitr]

Nice Shawn! How old are your fish now?

[swright135]

Thanks Dano.

Abi I would say the original six are approaching a year and a half and the other two are a couple months younger.

[abijitr]

Great! It gives me some idea about what to expect in the next year... mine are about 8 months old

[swright135]

Great! It gives me some idea about what to expect in the next year... mine are about 8 months old

I wish you luck with yours and I'm sure they will turn out great.

[swright135]

Been a couple months since I updated this thread. Unfortunately I ended up losing the leopard to what I suspect was a blocked intestine. I came home from work one day all fish were fine fed them some flake food and a couple hours later the fish is having trouble staying upright. I tried a few things to help it out but by the morning the fish had died. This was a tuff one for me, I have had good luck with my fish and this was my first loss. For a couple weeks after I was super stressed and worried about the remaining fish getting sick and dying. But time passed and none of the other fish showed any issues so I am not stressed about it anymore. My guess to what happened was I didn't pre soak my flake food and this caused the problem. I now pre soak all of my dry food to be safe.

For some good news, I finally had a fish lay eggs. No fertilizing occurred because I suspect the Males are not mature. I would say the fish that layed the eggs was 15 to 18 months old, I was starting to think i had all boys. The rest of the fish are doing great. I will post pictures below sorry for the long post.

[swright135]

The confirmed female
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[Mando]

All are beautiful but that last one is gorgeous and my favorite.

[swright135]

Thanks Mando. That pigeon blood has had a great shape from day one.

[swright135]

Quick update. I lost the Pigeon Blood Blue last month, it was feeding at the top and got startled and hit the glass. It must of damaged its swim bladder because it could not right itself. Unfortunately after a couple days it passed. The rest of the fish are doing well and getting thick, still no breeding activity all well maybe one day.

I added a Tefe from my second group of Stendkers. It is only 8-9 months old but almost as big as the adults. It seems to be doing really well with the group.

Here is picture of the Tefe. If I get time I will upload new pictures of the others.
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[two utes]

Very well done Shawn. The hard work you put in at the start has paid off. You had your doubts but i'm sure you're at a point of enjoying your hobby. Good luck with all future endevours, and keep those picture updates coming.

[swright135]

Updated pictures of the rest
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[swright135]

Very well done Shawn. The hard work you put in at the start has paid off. You had your doubts but i'm sure you're at a point of enjoying your hobby. Good luck with all future endevours, and keep those picture updates coming.

Thanks Joe. The work has paid off and I really enjoy taking care of these fish.

[coralbandit]

Nice fish !
You have done great with them .
I am a fan of Hans discus and have some Stendkers myself .

[swright135]

Nice fish !
You have done great with them .
I am a fan of Hans discus and have some Stendkers myself .
Thanks. Hans is great and I would recommend him to anyone looking to get into Discus.

I know you have Santerms, do you have any other strains?

[coralbandit]

Thanks. Hans is great and I would recommend him to anyone looking to get into Discus.

I know you have Santerms, do you have any other strains?

I am all in with Hans also !
I am growing out 2 Diamond Blue ,2 German Wonders and 2 Brilliant Turqs ;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFZtFvIp-Po

[swright135]

I am all in with Hans also !
I am growing out 2 Diamond Blue ,2 German Wonders and 2 Brilliant Turqs

Tom your fish look great. Hopefully you get some pairs out of them.