comments on discus?

[jmmontag]

Hello, If I can I want to post a couple pics of my first discus.
I hope this works...
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n182/jmmontag/DCP_0035.jpg

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n182/jmmontag/DCP_0023.jpg

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n182/jmmontag/DCP_0040.jpg

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n182/jmmontag/DCP_0036-1.jpg

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n182/jmmontag/DCP_0028.jpg

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n182/jmmontag/DCP_0020.jpg

If this works these are pictures of my first 6 discus. They are mostly around a year old now. They have started to fight at times, and the pics were taken during a feeding so they are showing more stress bars than normal. ( If this works any comments?):o

[White Worm]

Looks like you have got yourself some nice looking discus. Good job.

[discuskeeper08]

nice job. i like your blue diamond

[edmoran77]

They look great! Just getting my first set of discus this Friday. Hopefully mine turn out as good as your yours have. I'm really impartial to the Blue Diamonds and Turquoise stains.

[jmmontag]

Thank You, I know I could do better. The tank is not as clean as I would like, and the glass is smudged. I broke my leg three weeks ago, and it is hard to do everything right now.

I have a couple questions though. These six discus are in a 55 BB. They have been scrapping a bit. Maybe I just notice it more now because I am off work. I believe the last two and the second picture may be males. Does anyone know how to tell besides watching their actions?

I don't plan on breeding since I am just happy to try to have healthy discus. I just get scared when I see them acting like bullies. It even looks like they are biting little chunks out of the other fishes slime coat.

Do females fight with each other over their males? I am thinking the first one may be a female, but she chases all except one other fish. I was wondering if the first picture has a poor body shape?

I am thinking that if they continue to harass each other I will have to find homes for a few. If I do how do I decide? Would the smallest of the remaining fish be the new one to get picked on? Is it better to have all males or females? If they pair up will it get worse or better?

I do wc every other day or at least 3x week. They seem healthy to me. Is the fighting normal?

I know I sound stupid, but the solid is considered a blue diamond? This is the original discus that started it all. Robert or maybe Roberta was given to me by a friend because all her other discus died, and she was going to flush him. Poor little guy was brown for the first month I had him. The pb really likes him/her.

I really appreciate any comments even if they are not good. Of course everyone likes hearing that their babies are pretty;)

[dave Cox]

I stold the picture of your Blue Diamond and using it for my desk top background:)

[jmmontag]

It makes me so happy to know someone likes Robert enough to use him for a background!:D Can you believe the lady I got him from was ready to flush him:mad: I will have to send her a picture some time so she can see what she gave up... Well at least she did find him a home. I hope he is happy here. He started the Discus Madness in me:p

[tdr1919]

From what I can tell, only the last fish (brilliant Turquois) looks like a male, the blue diamond looks female, I cant see the fins that well on the pigeon blood, but females will fight with each other or a male. it more the pecking-order, and territory, but is normal, looks like you got some nice healthy fish, good luck. If you keep your temp between 84-86 deg. F, and your water parameters are good, your fish will do well, make sure you have a good test kit & use it.

- Tom

[jmmontag]

Thank You, I was told I should start thinking about finding new homes for some of the Discus. The blue diamond and pigeon blood seem bonded. The brilliant turquoise keeps fighting with the bp, and displaying to the blue diamond. I don't plan on breeding so will it matter as long as I keep up w/c and watch to make sure no one is being picked on too much?

I am glad they look healthy. I guess the fighting just scared me a little. If I can keep them all together I will be happy:)

I will have to post more pictures when they are older. Maybe when they are about 2 yrs we could figure out who is male and female. You wouldn't believe how many people see my fish and want babies. :D

I really appreciate all the help. I believe this forum is the reason my Discus are alive especially Roberta:p