The Boys in Blue [Archive]

Keith Perkins

07-30-2011, 12:25 AM

Okay, so they're not really all boys, or at least I sure hope not. These guys, all expecting dinner, are a combination of four growouts from my BD male and BSS female, along with three cobalts compliments of Northwoods Discus. I ended up with four fish left from a batch about a year ago that after the last sale sort of fell through I decided just to keep them and grow them out. Not thinking that four was really enough to growout and have pair off, I reached out to Bill knowing he had some cobalts that were just a little younger. He very graciously contributed three fish to the effort for future considerations and the seven fish are now residing in a 72 bow...enjoy.

http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/x418/CozyKeith/100_2842.jpg

Bill's cobalt contribution.

http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/x418/CozyKeith/100_2848.jpg

Just discus chillin.

http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/x418/CozyKeith/100_2849.jpg

Probably my favorite of the group.

http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/x418/CozyKeith/100_2850.jpg

Another I like a quite a bit.

http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/x418/CozyKeith/100_2852.jpg

Just a nice group shot.

http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/x418/CozyKeith/100_2854.jpg

William Palumbo

07-30-2011, 12:38 AM

Looking good Keith!...Now you of all people should know better than to pick a "favorite"...Bill

Keith Perkins

07-30-2011, 12:53 AM

LOL, well other than the one jumper it's been a couple of years since I've lost a fish so I'm not too worried. Okay, maybe I should have just said I like the unique coloration and markings of that fish. I'm curious to see if they become more distinct as the fish gets a little older.

Disgirl

07-30-2011, 08:03 AM

You have some beautiful discus there Keith! The Turqs are still my favorites. Nice clean tank too I see. Well done!
Barb

Keith Perkins

07-30-2011, 08:27 AM

Thank you very much Barb, maybe some day I'll have to see how they look matched up with one of your magic cones. ;) That's one of the great things about keeping discus I think, there is a lot of variety so there's something for everyone. The tank gets about a 90% to 95% WC every third day, and this group leaves virtually no uneaten food, so keeping the tank looking clean isn't a real big trick. It's the one tank in the fishcave that's not near a drain though, so I've got a pump with a pvc riser tucked in the opposite back corner and a 25' potable water hose running through the rafters and to a drain in the utility room. The only trick with it is remembering to break the siphon if I don't want to empty the tank. :)

Cevoe

07-30-2011, 08:47 AM

Nice tank of blues there, Keith.

Keith Perkins

07-30-2011, 08:58 AM

Thanks Chris, and to think these were the ones everyone else chose not to take. :D

alpine

07-30-2011, 09:42 AM

Very nice Blues !

Roberto.

Second Hand Pat

07-30-2011, 02:15 PM

Nice Keith and love the color on these guys (or gals :)). Your favorite is mine too. So these are the rejects? pretty darn nice.

Skip

07-30-2011, 02:17 PM

nice!

Keith Perkins

07-30-2011, 02:31 PM

Thanks Roberto, Pat, and Skip. Yes Pat, in the dodge ball game of discus selection, these were the ones no one wanted on their team. I had sold off all my previous fry worried about space and the extra care required for one more tank, but when the fishcave was completed I decided I wanted to see for myself what some of the growouts would look like. I also wanted to expand the available breeding stock a bit, so when the intended buyer ran into tank problems and backed off buying them I told him that was fine and in that case I was just going to keep them and they were no longer for sale. Thanks to that decision and Northwoods Discus Bill I now have a display tank again with these seven in it, at least until they get a little older and in the mood.

Second Hand Pat

07-30-2011, 02:35 PM

Keith, so how old are these guys? If the same as Jay's then about 7 months? Around 4+ inches (guessing here).

Jason K.

07-30-2011, 02:58 PM

hey pat, I fish sat those guy's a while back. when I had them they were much larger than the turk's. had them all in a 37 high was a little nervous having them all together but they got on well. that being said i'd say they are at least a year and larger than four inch's...
almost forgot to mention nice pic's keith...

Keith Perkins

07-30-2011, 03:06 PM

My four are from a batch that was prior to the RTs Jay got, so I think they're right around a year or so at this point. You know I netted and moved all 7 from my 55 to the 72 they're in now and never measured a one of them. Dah! Just looking at them now with a tape measure on the outside of the tank I'd say they're right about 5". Now that they're in the bigger tank and on there own they're eating like never before too...and Jay would tell you they ate plenty before. :)

bnbfishin

07-31-2011, 12:26 PM

Awesome looking fish Keith! Glad to see that 72 bow front is up and running with fish in it :D

Keith Perkins

07-31-2011, 01:46 PM

Bill, glad you like them seeing how you just got some of their younger siblings, lol. Does give you a good reference for what yours will be looking like in a while though.

Oh, and Jay, thanks for the pic compliment. It took a while, but I finally found the right setting on the cheap Kodak digital camera we have to get them. Now I'm down to just taking 2 or 3 times as many pictures as I actually post instead of 10.

moik

07-31-2011, 02:23 PM

Looking good Keith!...Now you of all people should know better than to pick a "favorite"...Bill Your right Bill.....Favorite Discus=Not to have fish for long..LOLOLOL..these blues are some real beauties ..

Keith Perkins

07-31-2011, 02:39 PM

Thank God I only said probably my favorite. :) Thanks moik, I'm enjoying them.

Northwoods Discus

08-01-2011, 08:15 AM

Keith the group is looking great. Glad to finally see how they are coming. Looks like nice round shape forming. They sure look happy. I was away for the weekend doing a crazy run called the Warrior Dash with family and didn't see the pics till late last night.
Bill

DiscusLoverJeff

08-01-2011, 11:28 AM

Awesome looking fish Keith (and Bill). Your setup looks good and its about time the 70 is up and running, Lol. Hope all works out great for you.

Keith Perkins

08-01-2011, 06:18 PM

Bill - why am I not surprised you'd be doing something like that. Sounds better than installing huge windows though.

Jeff - it's only been a little over a year since I got that tank...a guy can't rush into these things. :) I would think it's only a matter of time with the group. I don't expect these guys to be any different than the previous fish. Bill's are still a little young, but maybe this fall they'll start getting amorous.

discuspaul

08-01-2011, 11:50 PM

Ah, Keith - there's nothing more relaxing and satisfying than observing a 'laid-back' group of beautiful, serene blues, is there ? !!
I'm hoping my now approx. 5" Red Snakes turn out the same way and give similar inspiration.

Keith Perkins

08-02-2011, 10:06 PM

Nothing more serene to you and I at least Paul. I am really enjoying this tank at the moment, none of the "adult" drama that's going on elsewhere in the fishcave. Good luck with your RSSs.

Jennie

08-06-2011, 08:25 PM

nice blues!

Keith Perkins

08-06-2011, 08:41 PM

Thanks Jennie. They are currently eating everything is sight, so I'm hoping they beef up a bit before they start spawning. They're still a little on the small side, but eating a lot more since they got the secluded tank in the corner.

Keith Perkins

10-23-2011, 09:55 PM

A few new pictures per Pat's request.

3 peekers after a WC.

http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/x418/CozyKeith/100_2912.jpg

Another point of view.

http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/x418/CozyKeith/100_2915.jpg

Maybe pairing up.

http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/x418/CozyKeith/100_2917.jpg

One of Bill's contribution getting in the mix.

http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/x418/CozyKeith/100_2918.jpg

Keith Perkins

10-23-2011, 09:56 PM

And my favorite shot of the day...

http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/x418/CozyKeith/100_2921.jpg

Actually all 7 fish in the shot.

Second Hand Pat

10-23-2011, 11:05 PM

Keith, love the blue in these guys. Some great looking fish you have. Took me a min to find the seventh fish but I did ;)

Keith Perkins

10-23-2011, 11:07 PM

My version of where's waldo.

Second Hand Pat

10-23-2011, 11:12 PM

Keith, what mix do you have here, BD and cobalts??

Keith Perkins

10-23-2011, 11:20 PM

My four are off-spring from a BD male and a BSS female, Northwoods Discus contributed 3 Cobalts to the growout project. My four I now think are made up of 1 turq and 3 scopions. I thought one of the 3 was a BD, but I see a tiny bit of red markings in the pectoral fins so I think that means it's just a virtually unmarked scorpion. At least that's what I think it means. It's body color is lighter than the two I always knew were scorpions. It's the fish in the center of the last picture.

My BD male has solid blue pecs, no markings.

Jennie

11-03-2011, 11:38 PM

they look like they grew Keith!! I have scorp babes now..7 days freeswim today...gonna keep a few:)

Keith Perkins

11-08-2011, 11:01 PM

Good for you Jennie! :) One of my grow outs laid eggs in the community tank about a week and a half ago, but either she hasn't laid since or I missed the activity and the eggs were eaten again. She had a partner with her when she laid, but either it was shy and didn't make runs while I was watching or it just didn't make any. Lots of eithers in this post. The "pair" didn't guard the eggs at all, so round 1 was definitely a failure. I know what fish she is, so I'm trying to decide whether to leave her in that tank for now or pull her and force pair her with my male BD.

Stag

11-08-2011, 11:09 PM

Sounds like your doing something right CozyKeith. Keep it up bud!

Jennie

11-08-2011, 11:18 PM

no males are fighting for her???

Keith Perkins

11-08-2011, 11:38 PM

Not so far that I've seen Jennie. It's not like the old days though when they were in the living room and I would see all the flirting going on etc. With them in the basement now I'm just not as likely to see the action. I either need to pull her or be patient and hope she and a mate learn to guard the eggs. She spawned on a piece of driftwood the first time around, I probably ought to add a more appropriate spawning material if I'm going to leave her in there. Though my first ever successful discus spawn occurred on driftwood, so it's certainly not a requirement.

Thanks James, but I'm not declaring success until the next batch of 2" plus juvies are going out the door. :)

Keith Perkins

01-22-2012, 09:36 PM

Well I pulled the new known female and force paired her with her father but she decided to quit laying. So I gave up on that a few weeks ago and put her back in the community tank. With no action I decided to move the driftwood she use to like to lay on to a defendable position to see of that might inspire her to start up laying again. Time will tell I guess, these guys are all about a year and a half old now.

The new layout
http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/x418/CozyKeith/TankShot.jpg

Group Shot
http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/x418/CozyKeith/GroupShot-1.jpg

A Cluster
http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/x418/CozyKeith/Cluster.jpg

Quad
http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/x418/CozyKeith/Quad.jpg

Six Pack
http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/x418/CozyKeith/Six.jpg

Second Hand Pat

01-22-2012, 10:41 PM

Keith, hope this group start to earn their keep. They are certainly old enough. Crossing fingers for ya :)

Northwoods Discus

01-23-2012, 01:03 PM

Hey Kieth the Boys In Blue are looking good. You remember I had 8 of those in the clinic tank. A pair formed and they had wigglers several times with some coming close to attachment. They were swimming around the parents until they got picked off by a ram or sucked into the filter. No plans for those but you should be seeing some action soon.
Bill

DiscusLoverJeff

01-23-2012, 03:43 PM

Jason K.

01-23-2012, 04:16 PM

These guy's should be happening before long Keith...

Keith Perkins

01-23-2012, 07:40 PM

Hey Keith, man are they looking good. Here's hoping for the best. Who knows, maybe a change in water temp could stimulate them as well? A nice drop of 2 or 3 degrees may help during your next water change.

Just adjusted down the water reservoir temps a few degrees before the last WC, and further adjusted them before refill. Hoping to end up about 5 degrees cooler than tank temp. Impatiently waiting.