Bright Eyes

[White Worm]

If some experienced breeders could answer this question, I would appreciate it.
I have an adult proven pair that have carried fry before (not for me yet) (kenny, if you are reading, maybe you can answer this question better than anybody).
The female BD has black eyes most of the time (no color at all) I have seen her with red coloring in her eyes previously where I got her from. The pair kinda joust with each other (not sure if they are mad at each other or they are doing the dance) I have never actually seen it in person. My question is,,,, When she is jousting back and forth with the male (almost looks like flirting) her eyes light up a bright yellow. Is this normal or some sign that she is ready to produce? I'm not kidding, her eyes shine like someone turned on a bright light inside her eyeballs. Looks like 2 little discus headlights. Anyone experience this before??

[Ryan Smith]

Anytime discus are quarreling or showing courtship behaviors, their colors change drastically, this includes their eyes. My heckel crosses had red eyes, but when they fought over food or territory their bodies would turn dark, their blue irridescence would shine, and their eyes would light up a bright orange/red color that looked like it was glowing. It was always an amazing thing to watch.

Severums are very similar in this respect. Ever seen a pair of severums in courtship behavior? They turn almost black and their eyes are fiery orange. It's really stunning.

Ryan

[Kindredspirit]

Severums are very similar in this respect. Ever seen a pair of severums in courtship behavior? They turn almost black and their eyes are fiery orange. It's really stunning.

Ryan



That would be very cool to see!http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/11/11_15_1.gif



Marie~

[Jason]

yes, IME I beleive the eyes are used to convey mood, agression,wanting to breed etc. with the exception of a few strains like ghosts, some san merah's, and snowites most discus will light their eyes on fire when in breeding condition and wanting to spawn.

[White Worm]

Thanks, I would surely like it if they were thinking about bringing me fry for xmas! I had never seen it or heard much conversation about it. i saw her doing it a couple times now and they light up a bright yellow/white! Pretty cool.

[Kenny's Discus]

Mike - I agree with Ryan & Jason totally that when a pair are in their pre-spawning mode their eyes will turn ruby red. I have not noticed your BD(actually she's an Ocean Green) had black eyes b4 though... are these what you were describing as Black eyes/Red eyes? BTW she's your current Ocean Green but I'm sure you already know that Mike! :-)

It's just so cool when you called them "Discus Headlights"!


Black eyes?

[Kenny's Discus]

red eyes?

[White Worm]

Sorry Kenny, duh, ocean green. Remember, you said when you seperated them or moved them, she lost the red color for a while. She has had no color in her eyes since I have had her (not even red). Sometimes when I see them kinda jousting each other, her eyes light up like bright yellowish white, it is so weird. Just like little discus headlights. Then when she leaves the male alone, they go back to dark grey/black. I have not yet seen her have any red color in her eyes since she has been here. Hopefully fry for xmas gifts.

[Kenny's Discus]

Mike - yes I remember when I put the divider in she didn't like it much and her eyes became a little dilated. But when I took it out they became normal(yellow/red) again. I think it's a reflection of her mood when her eye color changes. BTW did this just happened recently or right after you took them home?

Kenny

[White Worm]

Her eyes have always been dark grey to black since she has been here, I have not seen any red color at all since she moved here from daly city. Maybe she is home sick?? No red color ever but they sure light up brightly when she is pushing around romeo and then he pushes her around a little and her eyes are like yellow/white hot coals.

[White Worm]

The next time she does it, I will try to get some pictures. I have seen her do it on more than a few occasions.

[Kenny's Discus]

Yes in addition to the description I think pics will be very helpful.

BTW Mike let me know when you wanna pick up your juveniles. Thanks, Kenny.

[Jarrod]

I wonder if eye color changes can be any idication of being able to sex a male and female or if this is just something that is common to all of them male or female. Would it be an indicator of sex of fish?

Jarrod

[White Worm]

Jarrod,,,well, the female is the only one who does it, the males eyes dont change. I'm not sure if all females do it or if any males do it. I have limited experience with just these two.

[Jarrod]

Jarrod,,,well, the female is the only one who does it, the males eyes dont change. I'm not sure if all females do it or if any males do it. I have limited experience with just these two.

:) Ok thanks Mike...lol must just be a woman thing...(ducking and runnin like hell) rofl...I was just thinkin maybe just maybe that that may have been a way to sex a pair of fish out even if they were maturing enought to be spawning ages hopefully it'll be a bit easier way to sex them if they are not quite paired up.
:D
Jarrod

[White Worm]

Soon Kenny, I'm sorry I havent been able to get out there. The holidays have kept me very busy and then work on top of that. Soon! Mike

[White Worm]

Maybe that is one of the secrets all the experts are keeping. I have read alot of threads here and I have never heard eye color changing before. Maybe there will be some more experiences with this posted here and we could narrow it down to females or both.

[CliffsDiscus]

Mike,
The color of the Discus's eye is a indication of its health. The pictures that
Kenny posted shows the Discus in good health. Black eyes at most times
indicates a sick Discus or it may be as simple as correcting your
water condition. Also occasional constipation may make the Blue Diamonds
eyes turn black too.

Cliff

[White Worm]

Cliff, I dont think she is sick. She eats like a pig and comes right to me for feeding and visits when I sit near the tank. She is very active, beautiful color and chases her boyfriend all the time. It is kinda strange though. I was looking at her today and she has a very faint redish color to her eyes but she can definately turn on the headlights when she is playing with her boyfriend. They kinda just push each other around back and forth but her eyes light up like she has 2 AA batteries in her. I change their water every 2-3 days about 30%, they are in a 35g corner tank. I will take some pics of her now and see if I can get some when her eyes are lit up. I add prime before water and acid buffer to keep them around 6.4, temp 83-84 degrees. Feed FBW and they both eat very good. The male is a gentlemen and lets her eat first but if he is really hungry, he shoves her out of the way. Either way, they both get plenty. I know because they leave me some healthy craps the next day. The only thing I can think of that Kenny had them up high in his fishroom where they wouldnt be disturbed much by people traffic and I have them about waist level in my bedroom and when we walk by, it sometimes startles them. Maybe she is just a little on the stressed side but it sure doesnt effect her appetite. I think I am going to try and cover their tank for a while so they are not disturbed at all and see if her eye color returns or they give me some fry.

[Kenny's Discus]

Mike - no problem at all. I'll see you after Christmas. Enjoy your holidays!

Cliff - Merry Christmas to you and I still wish I could have chatted with you in person and learned many things from you. Take care friend.

Thanks,Kenny

[Kenny's Discus]

Quote:

"They kinda just push each other around back and forth but her eyes light up like she has 2 AA batteries in her"

Mike you are good at metaphoring!

Kenny

[White Worm]

Thanks Kenny, I just try to paint a good visual for you. Seems like people understand you better when they can relate. She is doing it all the time now when she is near romeo. (Here we go) Its like,,, When you turn on a flashlight with the button. She turns her headlights on and off that quick. i think she has a dimmer switch too because sometimes they are brighter and then they slowly dim down. HEHEHEHE LOL

[Kenny's Discus]

LOL I can't wait to see the "before" and "after" pics Mike!

I think she wants to lay when the male's near her(get her excited), but that's just my opinion.

Thanks,
Kenny

[White Worm]

Thats it Kenny, I was watching her and everytime the male came close or she saw him,,,,,bamm,,, headlights turn on,,,when they start pushing each other around,,,,bammm,,,,high beams. Maybe it wont be long before I am a proud papa of some fry.

[Kenny's Discus]

Quote:

"and everytime the male came close or she saw him,,,,,bamm,,, headlights turn on,,,when they start pushing each other around,,,,bammm,,,,high beams."

LOL that is sooooooooooooo funny Mike when you said "high beams" !

Keep up with WC's, temp @ 82 and I bet it'll soon happen. Good Luck!

Kenny

[CliffsDiscus]

Mike - no problem at all. I'll see you after Christmas. Enjoy your holidays!

Cliff - Merry Christmas to you and I still wish I could have chatted with you in person and learned many things from you. Take care friend.

Thanks,Kenny


Mike,
Try adding a third Discus in the aquarium, you might get the female to spawn
sooner. Have a Merry Christmas!

Kenny, Merry Christmas to you and your family. Yes, I would like to meet with
you and Mike too, maybe the next BAD meeting or sooner.

Take Care!
Cliff

[White Worm]

Thanks Cliff, I dont have another adult to add because the others are doing the dance. It should be another adult that you add, correct? Dont worry kenny, i am going to give them more time. I think I also need to step up the water changes to bigger or more often. Cliff, cant wait to have everyone together and have a little chat. I personally have heard great things about you, your discus and your hatchery. I would like to be in on the next meeting and see some nice discus in person. I'll be there and I'm sure Kenny would be too. Happy Holidays to you and your family everyone! Mike

[candyl70]

I have seen my discus's eyes shine bright orange/red too! It is really cool to see! It's like they are possessed!!! lol, but i have only seen them do it when they are fighting over food or territories. I'll have to see if I can get a pic next time. How are they doing now Mike??



Candy

[White Worm]

Hey Candy, They are doing great. My other 2 blue ones are actually making practice runs. Thats the first time I actually saw it with my own eyes. Pretty cool how they swim vertical. Yes, the female lights her eyes up but I dont think they are fighting, they do the jitter at each other and push each other around but no nipping or anything. Glad you made it back home safe and I hope you had a nice christmas! MIke

[Kindredspirit]

Itz about time you both got your booties back~


http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_1_1.gif

[White Worm]

Did you miss me?? ;) Hows them babies from cliff doing? I havent seen any pics lately of how they are growing up. Candy?? I want some pics,,I'm tired of seeing words and smileys :D . Wheres all the discus we always talk about :confused: ? Anyone???LOL. Mike