Peppering Good or Bad?

[edgeguy]

I have some Golden Sunrise that have a lot of peppering on them. They are about 3" in length. Does peppering mean that it is a non-healthy discus or is this just not a grade "A" discus? I have come to really like this on the discus and the discus seem really healthy, but are problems ahead?

[Ryan Smith]

I think it's a matter of preference. Many breeders are working to get rid of peppering because it is considered an undesirable trait by many discus keepers, but it doesn't mean the fish are less healthy or inferior IMO. It's mostly just appearance. I have seen a lot of members here who have adult breeding fish, and some are heavily peppered. If you like them and they act and seem healthy, enjoy them!

Ryan

[Jeff]

Right on Ryan. I agree 100%. ;D

[henryD]

Nah I say add some salt to the fish
and now you have a dish....
Sorry peppering is not for me
but it could be for thee.

[EIHAB83]

Ryan is right big time, it is only apperance ..... and to be honest I have seen some wonderful fish with lots of pepering and they still look nice!!
EIHAB

[Abercrombie6202]

I own 2 Pigeon Blood discus whoa re both peppered and i still like them, peppering does nto affect the health at all. it is jsut an outer apperance it hink of it as like "Freckles"!! Some have freckles some don't :) It shows uniqueness, lol, i guess i'm looking at it from an artist view!

[DREW]

peppering is fine but I think you shouldn't pay full price for peppering. I always ask for fish without peppering. Lately I asked for red melon 3" fish with no peppering and the breeder is charging 50.00 a fish vs 40.00 with a little peppering.

A vibrant healthy fish who greet whoever approaching the tank is priceless. Regardless of their appearance. That's the fish I want to keep. Breeding is an entirely different thing. Heavy peppering appears to be an undesirable trait by most hobbyists. Most breeders will not breed them by choice but accident do happen when they cross a turquoise with a Pigeon Blood strain. But you will be surprised how fast they disappear in the local fish store if they are healthy and the price is right. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I saw a store owner once named an extremely heavy peppering Pigeon blood as Tuxedo or Penguin discus and they were gone in a week.
Jimmy.

[darcy]

LOL Jimmy!! I guess it depends wether you like the fish or not. To me it doesn't matter as long as they are round and healthy. Some like peppering some don't. all a matter of opinion.

Darcy

[edgeguy]

Thanks for the comments:wave: . I do like the fish a whole lot. They add a different feel to the tank with my other discus being mainly solid colors. Oh, also when people see my tank for the first time and know nothing about discus the Golden Sunrise are the ones they comment about the most (in a nice way). Even those that know about discus like them.

Hope to see you at the ACA 2004 convention here in Denver. ;D