wgtaylor
07-28-2009, 11:58 AM
Well here are my Albino Golden x Spotted cross contest discus at ten weeks in our home.
They have remained healthy and have continuously been eating vigorously at every meal.
I have never raised Albino discus but have read they can be slower growing and in a group some will grow at unequal rates.
So far I have not witnessed that with this group. There is a slight difference in size but not more than what you
would expect between a male and female discus. I hope this continues to be the case. They were between
2 1/2" and 3" when I received them. The largest male I would estimate now is about 4 3/4" in total length.
Here is a couple pictures, the first, arrival day showing the size when they arrived. The second picture today, week 10.
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll50/wgtaylor/Week%207/ArivalDayTank.jpg
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll50/wgtaylor/Week%207/Week10Tank.jpg
Now, as for Albino eyesight, all of the discus in this group have red iris and black pupils.
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll50/wgtaylor/Week%207/AlbinoEyes.jpg
Most appear to be able to see normal but two have some problems. One misses flake food 2 or 3 times before being
able to grab food in it's mouth. I have one that has to put his forehead on the bottom of the tank to see pellets.
He eats beefheart mix easily since it is a larger target and he doesn't seem to have much trouble picking out flake food because it is directly in front of his face.
He sure has trouble with pellets. I expect if I only fed pellets this guy would not do as well as he has with the mixed foods he now gets.
This is the guy in this video looks like he may never get enough to eat but I can assure you this discus is one of the largest in the group so he is able to get his share of food. :)
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll50/wgtaylor/Week%207/th_AlbinoEyesight.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/albums/ll50/wgtaylor/Week%207/?action=view¤t=AlbinoEyesight.flv)
The water parameters have stayed the same, 65 microseimens, 30 parts per million, ph 6.5 with 0 nitrites and 0 ammonia.
The nitrates remain about 5 ppm with 75% daily water changes. All sides, bottom of tank, air lines and any surfaces in the tank are wiped down every other day.
I am still feeding beefheart/shrimp mix twice per day and flake two to three times with pellets once at midday during their water change.
I use only beefheart and shrimp in my mix now at a ratio of 25% shrimp 75% beefheart by weight.
I continue to enjoy these guys more every day. :)
Thanks,
Bill
They have remained healthy and have continuously been eating vigorously at every meal.
I have never raised Albino discus but have read they can be slower growing and in a group some will grow at unequal rates.
So far I have not witnessed that with this group. There is a slight difference in size but not more than what you
would expect between a male and female discus. I hope this continues to be the case. They were between
2 1/2" and 3" when I received them. The largest male I would estimate now is about 4 3/4" in total length.
Here is a couple pictures, the first, arrival day showing the size when they arrived. The second picture today, week 10.
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll50/wgtaylor/Week%207/ArivalDayTank.jpg
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll50/wgtaylor/Week%207/Week10Tank.jpg
Now, as for Albino eyesight, all of the discus in this group have red iris and black pupils.
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll50/wgtaylor/Week%207/AlbinoEyes.jpg
Most appear to be able to see normal but two have some problems. One misses flake food 2 or 3 times before being
able to grab food in it's mouth. I have one that has to put his forehead on the bottom of the tank to see pellets.
He eats beefheart mix easily since it is a larger target and he doesn't seem to have much trouble picking out flake food because it is directly in front of his face.
He sure has trouble with pellets. I expect if I only fed pellets this guy would not do as well as he has with the mixed foods he now gets.
This is the guy in this video looks like he may never get enough to eat but I can assure you this discus is one of the largest in the group so he is able to get his share of food. :)
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll50/wgtaylor/Week%207/th_AlbinoEyesight.jpg (http://s285.photobucket.com/albums/ll50/wgtaylor/Week%207/?action=view¤t=AlbinoEyesight.flv)
The water parameters have stayed the same, 65 microseimens, 30 parts per million, ph 6.5 with 0 nitrites and 0 ammonia.
The nitrates remain about 5 ppm with 75% daily water changes. All sides, bottom of tank, air lines and any surfaces in the tank are wiped down every other day.
I am still feeding beefheart/shrimp mix twice per day and flake two to three times with pellets once at midday during their water change.
I use only beefheart and shrimp in my mix now at a ratio of 25% shrimp 75% beefheart by weight.
I continue to enjoy these guys more every day. :)
Thanks,
Bill