Stunted

[Sheila]

I have had my Discus now for 2 months, first ones I've ever had. I'm really enjoying them but someone on another forum thinks I may have a few stunted ones. I hope not, but I'd like to check with you guys (I have 2 blue diamonds, 2 spotted greens, 2 golden phoenixes and 1 unknown). Here are a bunch of pics, let me know what you think. The blue diamonds don't seem to be growing as quickly as the rest
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b367/sfeys/Discus15.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b367/sfeys/Discus14.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b367/sfeys/discus13.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b367/sfeys/Discus12.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b367/sfeys/discus11.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b367/sfeys/discus10.jpg

These pics are from when I first got them:
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b367/sfeys/discus9.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b367/sfeys/discus8.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b367/sfeys/discus4.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b367/sfeys/Discus1.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b367/sfeys/discus3.jpg

[jonah]

the blues do look a little stunted the eye is quite big for the size of the fish

[DiscusOnly]

These discus are stunted but there is fine as long as they are healthy. You will see a lot pictures of nice discus on this site but most of us here are enthusiasts so there is a higher expectation.

I myself have some stunted ones as well. I've learned that if you want nice looking discus, it's best to get is from one of the sponsor (juvie or adult)

[subcooler]

I'm certainally no expert, but the eyes do look pretty big compared to body size.
Did you get discus @ local fish store?
I wouldn't let it get you down-in the beginning we all have had a learning curve with these fish & as long as you provide proper care for the fish they will do fine.Water quality is the biggest need they have along with proper diet
I would recommend thinking about using forum sponsors for any future discus purchases, as they all provide excellent stock for you to grow into adults.
Just an opinion
Best of luck with your discus,
Rob

[jonah]

i think they looked nicer when they were in the planted tank, yes bb is better to grow them but the blues looked so much nicer in the original tank. Im hoping to get mine from one of the sponsors, hint April i'll be looking you up when the tank is ready.

[Darrell Ward]

Yes, I agree with the others that some look stunted with big eyes and long bodies. Don't let it get you down. I think most everyone who have kept discus for a while, has had at least one stunted fish before. I know I have. In fact, I have a couple now from different groups that are runted. These fish just didn't grow as well as their siblings did. I just don't have the heart to "throw them out in the yard". :) As long as they are healthy and eating well, no worries.

[Sheila]

Well thanks guys. I am disapointed that some are stunted. I had a feeling the blues might be, they also just don't seem to be growing as well as the others. I have only had them 2 months. What can I expect with stunted fish? Will they just not grow as big as they should? I agree they looked better in the planted tank. I added some driftwood and silk plants to their current tank but now they seem to hide a lot more-I assume once they get used to the new decor this will change again?

[Don Trinko]

Feed them 3 or 4 times a day and they may surprize you. Few of my discus would do well in a contest but neither would I. Don T.

[AADiscus]

They do look runted but as long as you enjoy them that is all that matters. ;) The blue diamonds look a little dark and there eyes are dark. You might check your water parameters. Keep giving them lots of food (don't over feed though) and wc's and they will grow. Maybe not as big as you want but they will still be pretty and healthy. Thanks for sharing the pics with us.

[KimR]

I have some stunted/runts myself, that were given to me, to me they are beautiful and healthy and thats what counts, for me anyway.

You have wonderful looking discus!

[2075turner]

Hi Sheila,

I would have to agree that they look stunted, but all that matters is that you like them. I have lots of huge adults however I also have a few that haven't grown to their potiential. I enjoy them all the same. One of my red turks has such personality that is all I see when I look at her. Your fish do look very nice in your tank by the way!

:)Evelyn

[April]

hi there..i would say they were most likely compromised before you ever got them. they get moved around..and stressed out and not perfect conditions at the lfs and already lost their window of opportunity. some of those..if you power wc and power feed you can get them growing before they slow down. they havent gone into their final growth spurt yet..so its not a lost cause on some. i had one that was almost runted out..i got back from someone. i did daily large wcs on a smaller tank and lots of good food ..then they went into their big growth spurt as they became sexually mature and turned out pretty good. the bds are stunted more than the others but they too may grow some more.
we all started out the same as you . a big learning curve. id say 95 percent of us started with lfs stock or stock that wasnt started out right.

[DiscusDude85]

hi there..i would say they were most likely compromised before you ever got them. they get moved around..and stressed out and not perfect conditions at the lfs and already lost their window of opportunity. some of those..if you power wc and power feed you can get them growing before they slow down. they havent gone into their final growth spurt yet..so its not a lost cause on some. i had one that was almost runted out..i got back from someone. i did daily large wcs on a smaller tank and lots of good food ..then they went into their big growth spurt as they became sexually mature and turned out pretty good. the bds are stunted more than the others but they too may grow some more.
we all started out the same as you . a big learning curve. id say 95 percent of us started with lfs stock or stock that wasnt started out right.



Agreed, I started out with a stunted, hex riddled turk, Now he is doing great, May not be 8" inches but he is a good 6 and alot of personality, Like everyone else said as long as you are happy thats what matters. Good luck with your discus.


Joe

[Darrell Ward]

Well thanks guys. I am disapointed that some are stunted. I had a feeling the blues might be, they also just don't seem to be growing as well as the others. I have only had them 2 months. What can I expect with stunted fish? Will they just not grow as big as they should? I agree they looked better in the planted tank. I added some driftwood and silk plants to their current tank but now they seem to hide a lot more-I assume once they get used to the new decor this will change again?

Stunted fish generally don't grow as big as others in the tank. With lots of high protein food, and plenty of clean water, they can grow to decent looking fish, just much more slowly. In my experience, sometimes up to a year or more to reach the same size others grew in only a few months. Discus don't seem to welcome change very much. With good care, they will be coming to the front of the tank begging for food every time they see you in a little while. They will just have to get comfortable in their new home first. It can take a little time. Best of luck with them! :)

[Sheila]

Thanks for all the kind words guys. As disappointed as I am about a few being stunted, I still really like them and will do the best I can to give them the best lives possible. I did remove my driftwood/plants because the just hid and wouldn't come out to eat and I figure if they are already stunted, they really can't afford not to be eating. Hopefully when they are bigger I can add some stuff back in.

I'm glad that the stunting was done prior to me getting them, If I had known more what to look for I could have avoided it but at least it's not my fault. All of them seem to be growing well except for the blues.

They are eating bloodworms, mysis shrimp, NLS pellets, colorbits and hikari discus (I've tried the omega one flake but they don't like it). I'm also going to step up water changes to see if that helps (I'd imagine it will). Without the driftwood/plants (besides the floating watersprite-that's still in there) they are more active and eating better.

[kirkp]

To add to everything that's been said. Probably the desire of everyone that keeps discus is that some day they will spawn. Being stunted won't stop that and using what you learn with these fish, offer them optimum conditions and the fry will grow normally.

Kirk