new discus

[barron]

:o I have 8 discus shipping to me on friday. Question the water where they were raised, is 6.4 -6.5 p.h.they are 3.5-4 inches in size. My question is, my waters p.h. is 7.3, is this going to be a problem? And if so what should I do. Thanks.
Iwas thinking I should lower my water too 6.5 then bring it up slowly with water changes. However I read alot on this site about leaving the p.h. alone! and only maintening stable p.h. values. Now I am wondering this to me seems like its going to be a shock.!. :-\

[RandalB]

Barron,
I personally would not do anything to acclimate. If your water is warmer than what's in the bags, turn the tank lights off, dump them into a net and from there into the tank. I've done this with every discus I have, never had a death or problem. The ammonia built up in the bag will become more toxic if your water is added gradually. A quick shock and then stability IMO will be better in the long run for your fish than adjusting pH all over hither and yon trying to match someone else's.

JMO,
RandalB

[barron]

;) Will do just that thank you.The fish come with a 10 day live guarantee, by Dr. Foster Smith. at http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/shop.cfm?siteid=6 Free shipping and 10.00 off each. but still cost enough. Thank You again.

[Wolf]

I've never heard of people buying discus from them. Post some pics when you get them so we can see how they look.

[RandalB]

Barron,
Be interested to see the quality that Fostersmith sends out on discus. Please post pics after they settle in.

Best of luck with the new ones,
RandalB

[Carol_Roberts]

I just read their site. I'm sure you know from SimlyDiscus that discus do not have to kept in pH 6.5. I agree with RandallB - just put them in your tank as long as the water is warmer than the bag water. If you already have discus you must quarantine these new discus seperately from your existing stock

What colors did you buy? I see the pigeon color is described as . . . . The body of the Pigeon Blood Discus is bright orange with black marbling . . . also the discus pictured for a snakeskin . . . is not a snakeskin. The neon blue and red turquoise pictures look nice. You'll have to post pictures of yours after you get them

[Wolf]

I would have purchased from Cary or other established breeder. I would be worried of what you will recieve from them although I've never heard of people buying discus from them or seen any of their fish. Good Luck.

[aloha_discus]

Aloha, I have called their 1-800 number a number of times and they have stated that they have no discus for sale. Although when you go to the website they are listed. I will try this morning and will post my findings.

Mahalo Ike ;D

[barron]

Thank you for shopping Drs. Foster & Smith's LiveAquaria.com! We have received your order and will begin processing it immediately pending credit authorization. An order shipment confirmation will be e-mailed to you the day of shipment.
Provided below are the details of your order. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our LiveAquaria.com Customer Service Department at 1-800-334-3699 or by e-mail at CustomerService@LiveAquaria.com.

Thank you, again, for your order. We look forward to serving you and we hope you'll return to LiveAquaria.com and DrsFosterSmith.com for all your live aquaria and aquarium supply needs.

Dr. Race Foster, DVM
Dr. Marty Smith, DVM

http://www.LiveAquaria.com
http://www.DrsFosterSmith.com





Drs. Foster & Smith's LiveAquaria.com
2253 Air Park Road, P.O. Box 100
Rhinelander, WI 54501-0100
Toll Free: (800) 334-3699
May 21, 2003
Order Number:


Bill To: Barron

Daytona Beach, FL 3212

Daytona Beach, FL 32124




Credit Card:




Delivery Instructions:
KNOCK ON CARPORT DOOR
Item # Description QTY Price Extended
CN-89715 FW - Snakeskin Discus
Quantity discount has been applied. 4 x $49.69 = $198.76
CN-89716 FW - Red Turquoise Discus
Quantity discount has been applied. 4 x $39.79 = $159.16

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Subtotal: $357.92
(7808329) Free Shipping on $175+ Order Free!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Total: $357.92

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



For the most complete selection of aquarium supplies visit DrsFosterSmith.com at http://www.DrsFosterSmith.com. We offer thousands of quality, value-priced supplies for your aquarium, all selected by aquatic specialists and Aquatic Veterinarians.

[barron]

The snake I am told is blue on red back ground.
I will let you all know the out-come. thanks.

[Carol_Roberts]

When you figure the free shipping (usually about $100) thats about $33 per 3 inch discus.

Snakeskin discus have a very fine (thin) line pattern over the body, unique facial markings and usually extra vertical bars (14-16 instead of 10). At 3 inches they may not show their full pattern and won't show the adult colors. The red turks may not be very colorful at that size either. Mine looked tanish with a bit of red and blue on the fins.

[barron]

Here is the Discus direct link.http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/scateg.cfm?siteid=20&pCatId=834

[CARY_GLdiscus]

Here's another

But I do not Know What it is!


Sure not a snakeskin?????????


http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?siteid=21&pCatId=849

[Willie]

The description sounds like it was written by someone who has had no direct experience with discus!

Willie

I found this near the bottom of the "snakeskin" page

"Ideal tank mates include: Livebearers, Tetras, Rasboras, Danios, Barbs, Gouramis, Rainbowfish, Cory cats, Plecos, and peaceful scavengers."

Oh goood...I always wanted to keep Mollies with my discus...now I can ;D

Tony

[fishfarm]

How about $269.99 for a wild caught royal blue! Man the prices are outragous! $60 for a pigeonblood! I'll sell you 2.5" one for $15. A 4-5" for $35. And yes that is not a picture of a snakeskin! 8) Ken

[April]

Tony. i have a whole tank full of swordtails i will get them right out to you.
ok..that is not a snakeskin....and that is quite costly. only time ive paid that much for a fish is when it was a new strain.
some of the breeders would also take credit cards..or send via paypal which can take from your credit card.
if they have their colour.they may be in fact done all their growing already. just small for their age.

Ok Prilly ;D

how bout you throw in a buncha discus while your at it ;)

Tony

[Carol_Roberts]

Hi Barron:
We're not poking fun at you, but at Drs. Foster & Smith. Whoever wrote the ads doesn't know much about discus . . . They were advertising not too long ago for a new supplier of discus. Apparently they have one now from overseas.

[barron]

I called today, after they sent an e-mail, stating they could not complete the order.

Upon speaking with them they stated they had no red turq. and were not even sure of the blue snakes.
They informed me that there list is updated by noon m.s.t. on ea. Friday for the shipment that came in the weekend before, they get deliveries each weekend, and my order would ship on Tuesday seeing how Monday is a holiday.

Then they stated they would withhold food for 48 hours pior to shipping this made me wonder, 48hrs no food plus 24 hours travel time too them, if the fish come in Sunday they will withhold food because shipping is on Tuesday I get the fish on Wednesday Wow!!!!

I asked if the D.V.M. had any clue about shipping, I informed them if the first shipper witholds food for 2 days plus 1 day travel now they withold 2 more days plus one day travel too me that would bring the time to 6 or 7 days with-out food and I would be luckly to get dead fish. I canned the order! This is sad, false advertising, D.V.M. abusing their titles, "carefully wacthed over fish" sure I belive you. After reading the posts here, I am even more glad. Thanks All

[Wolf]

Sounds like you lucked out!. Now get a hold of one of the great breeders on this board.

[chirohorn]

I can practically guarantee that the vets (Smith or Foster) are not shipping the fish themselves. They probably don't know the difference b/w a swordfish & a swordtail! These orders are contracted out to folks that regularly do it. They're simply lending their name/website to drum up more biz & $$$.

[Carol_Roberts]

I'm glad the order fell through. What part of the country are you in? Perhaps there is a breeder nearby where you could pick out your own discus. Is Cary's Great Lakes Discus site back up yet? All of us here are happy to offer advice on buying discus . . . whether you ask for it or not ;)