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Wild Discus Tech Notes 3... Solid Browns and Blues...The basics and More....
Given the Intense interest in Wild discus...I propose we start a discussion here about wild Discus and the traits that make them desirable apart from Domestics and compared to each other.... Some of this is subjective........ But I think if we do this is an intelligent general way alot can be learned by those new to the wild side of things or leaning there.
I think a good way to do this is for hobbyists here to post their fish, list the prices paid, and point out what they feel is the strong points and weak points of their fish....WE can do this for each major type of wild and build a database.. No need to discuss where the fish came from...do that by Pm if you want.,
I encourage others to comment on the fish if they can as to strengths and weaknesses... understand this will happen if you post to this thread.
Thanks...
This thread Please discus only wild Browns and Blues..solid body, including Red based wilds....
-al
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3 Attachment(s)
Re: Wild Discus Tech Notes 3... Solid Browns and Blues...The basics and More..
Here are my only two Wild Blues for now. Besides the nice shape and fin balance, I like that they have minimal striping, and that it's only on the perimeter of the fish. For whatever reason I am much, much more picky about the quality of my wilds vs. domestics. It's hard to describe, but when I see it, I know it. These fish were $75 each. The seller sent me a few pics via e-mail for me to choose from, and for that I am thankful. That is the ONLY way I buy my wilds...Bill
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Re: Wild Discus Tech Notes 3... Solid Browns and Blues...The basics and More..
Quote:
Originally Posted by
William Palumbo
Besides the nice shape and fin balance, I like that they have minimal striping, and that it's only on the perimeter of the fish. ll
+1 I like them a lot for those reasons as well. Very nice blues!
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Re: Wild Discus Tech Notes 3... Solid Browns and Blues...The basics and More..
Ok, let's see what I have.
These are some wild Curipera Discus I got back in 2006. These were given to me as replacement for the loss of my 10 Adult Altums during shipping. Shipping bags came in with water temp at 69 degrees. Anyhow, I fell in love with this group but didn't last long as the following year...I lost all 5 due too both heaters stuck open during a weekend camping trip and fried my prize fish. I am hoping to get the exact fish in my search for wild's once again.
At that time, the red eye were $120 ea and yellow eye were $80 ea.
A tragic loss looking at my babies.
...Ralph
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Re: Wild Discus Tech Notes 3... Solid Browns and Blues...The basics and More..
Nice fish, Ralph..It's always some freak thing that wipes out the best ones, or so it seems to me.Up north here, it's the dreaded power failures that last too long in really cold weather.....Gary
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Re: Wild Discus Tech Notes 3... Solid Browns and Blues...The basics and More..
I bought these Maderia Reds at the end of the season, nobody wanted them. $40ea
Rough and didn't look like much.
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...otes/reds1.jpg
They matured into a deep mahogany red without using color enhancers.
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...tes/reds-2.jpg
The shape turned out ok, and would probably look good in a simple tank layout with light natural colored sand and manzanita. I like the rich colors and the red trimmed black halo on these wilds.
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...tes/reds-3.jpg
I wake up in the morning with wild discus.
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...tes/reds-4.jpg
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Re: Wild Discus Tech Notes 3... Solid Browns and Blues...The basics and More..
Bill, you have a way with turning these "ugly ducklings" into Wilds to be proud of! I LOVE that type of halo and wish it was on ALL my Discus...wilds and domestics. What does you diet and feeding schedule consist of?...Bill
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Re: Wild Discus Tech Notes 3... Solid Browns and Blues...The basics and More..
Quote:
Originally Posted by
William Palumbo
Bill, you have a way with turning these "ugly ducklings" into Wilds to be proud of! I LOVE that type of halo and wish it was on ALL my Discus...wilds and domestics. What does you diet and feeding schedule consist of?...Bill
Hey Bill
I don't do anything different then you probably do. Treat them just like domestics until they are ready to spawn. Daily water change ~50%, flake, pellets and homemade mix, two - three times per day. As long as they are eating and look good they will grow like domestics. If they slow or look thin I'll treat for that otherwise I leave them alone and enjoy them.
And why? Your discus always look in awesome top shape!
Bill
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Re: Wild Discus Tech Notes 3... Solid Browns and Blues...The basics and More..
Thanks Bill...it just seems yours grow very well. Maybe it's just your documentation of them before/after pics. Is your mix BH based? I have not fed my wilds any BH this time around. Maybe I should. You got me beat on the wc's too!...Bill
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Re: Wild Discus Tech Notes 3... Solid Browns and Blues...The basics and More..
those reds are really nice. I like the color. Makes me want a group of reds!
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Re: Wild Discus Tech Notes 3... Solid Browns and Blues...The basics and More..
Let me bring the oddballs on then. These guys are about as pattern-free as it gets, so they definately fall under the Solid Brown category even though they never show any shade of the brown range that would truly resemble a Brown Discus as we know it.
With a little help and favour from a friend I purchased them directly from an importer and wholesaler in Germany in 2008. I read some of the recently closed threads here and although my source has no direct (or maybe even indirect) connection to this place, I only disclose the original list price of 107€/piece which roughly works out to 145USD. Since cost was not a concern when I got them, so I didn't think much about whether they were worth it or not. Of all the Xingú discus I have seen in real life before I got them ( nil :D), they were the absolute nicest ones. Joke aside, now, after more than two years of having them I would say that they were the best ever shopping I've done discus-wise.
Their strengths are numerous. 5 out of the 7 have quite nice and round shapes, the finnages are quite well-proportioned, only the last two in the pecking order give the sort of impression that the last two would normally give. They are slimmer, not as round-shaped and their colours are never as vibrant as all of the others'. There are some minor remains of obvious fin-damages, but nothing beyond that.
They all came with amber eyes and I can't remember seeing any red-eyed specimen in the group of about 50 fish in the seller's tank. I was under the impression that Xingús only come with amber eyes until I saw the very obviously red-eyed F1's. Although now it looks like the eyes of biggest and oldest ones are losing their red. We shall see. No colour-enhancing of any sort here, so the progress should reflect the natural way.
The three pics come with 1-1 years' intervals, with the first taken some minutes after their arrival, the second in the 300liter "freaky" cube and the last one three weeks ago. They look like they are in their prime now and if I can find owners for the remaining F1's I have, I would possibly give breeding them another try. Better results can be achived, but I must only focus on one pair at a time. The big ones look ready for it...
Nandi
Attachment 64411Attachment 64412Attachment 64413
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Re: Wild Discus Tech Notes 3... Solid Browns and Blues...The basics and More..
Beautiful browns. Pure and natural. Makes me want to setup another tank
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Re: Wild Discus Tech Notes 3... Solid Browns and Blues...The basics and More..
I need to read all Bill's posts on how to care for discus. That is a stunning transformation. I have so much to learn.
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Re: Wild Discus Tech Notes 3... Solid Browns and Blues...The basics and More..
Quote:
Originally Posted by
William Palumbo
Thanks Bill...it just seems yours grow very well. Maybe it's just your documentation of them before/after pics. Is your mix BH based? I have not fed my wilds any BH this time around. Maybe I should. You got me beat on the wc's too!...Bill
I always take the before pictures for reference, my memory is getting bad.:D
Ya, BH, shrimp, sometimes a little spinach and sprinkle of vitamins same for all mine.
While they are growing my best intention is 50% WC, you know how that goes. They are cut back now to 50% twice a week and 25% the rest of the week.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
NanDiscus
Let me bring the oddballs on then. These guys are about as pattern-free as it gets, so they definately fall under the Solid Brown category even though they never show any shade of the brown range that would truly resemble a Brown Discus as we know it. They look like they are in their prime now and if I can find owners for the remaining F1's I have, I would possibly give breeding them another try.
Nandi
Hey Nandi
Nothing odd ball about your Xingus, I fell in love with them from your first post. Those colors, the yellow brown, is so appealing I would love to have a high definition picture of them hanging on my wall to look at. If I lived closer I'd get your F1's for sure and try to help myself to one of your pairs when you went down to the horse barn. Absolutely beautiful group of wilds and awesome job you have done with them.
Thanks for the life cycle pictures.:)
Bill
Quote:
Originally Posted by
YSS
I need to read all Bill's posts on how to care for discus. That is a stunning transformation. I have so much to learn.
Far to much credit. They were small and looked rough but healthy. Never had to treat them for anything and just keep them as simple as possible. That's all I capable of anyway so got lucky.:D
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Re: Wild Discus Tech Notes 3... Solid Browns and Blues...The basics and More..
Nandi, those Xingus are still some of my favorite wilds. A good purchase I agree...Bill
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Re: Wild Discus Tech Notes 3... Solid Browns and Blues...The basics and More..
hey Bill, you playin with photoshop? lol. man those fish are glowing.
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Re: Wild Discus Tech Notes 3... Solid Browns and Blues...The basics and More..
If referring to my fish...That's the flash going thru heavily tannin water. But yea, they shine...Bill
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Re: Wild Discus Tech Notes 3... Solid Browns and Blues...The basics and More..
Quote:
Originally Posted by
wgtaylor
Far to much credit. They were small and looked rough but healthy. Never had to treat them for anything and just keep them as simple as possible. That's all I capable of anyway so got lucky.:D
Far too modest. :) I wish to be as lucky as you've been.
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Re: Wild Discus Tech Notes 3... Solid Browns and Blues...The basics and More..
These are a pair (hopefully anyway!) of $250.00 each Curua reds that I had for about 1 week before pic was taken. To me I love the shape pattern and color and they will improve as they relax.
EC kept at 250, temp 82, daily 40% wc ro tap mix catalpa leaves in a bag help with tannins.
http://forum.simplydiscus.com/attach...0&d=1293217055
This is a brown I have had for 8 years bought in lfs for $75.00 I like this mostly because the body is a solid brown but the fins have a nice red and black halo with blue striations in the fins. temp 83, ec 550+- in planted tank
http://forum.simplydiscus.com/attach...1&d=1290123587
These are a mix of blues and browns in the same tank http://i965.photobucket.com/albums/a...DSC_0048-2.jpg
I'll get to the greens as soon as I get pics
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Re: Wild Discus Tech Notes 3... Solid Browns and Blues...The basics and More..
Great looking Cura Reds!...HOWEVER...for the price paid for each, I can see a difference in quality, mainly with the smaller(female)one. Not sure how you picked those, or if even allowed to discuss prices in here...Both great fish none the less, and hopefully are a pair...Bill
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Re: Wild Discus Tech Notes 3... Solid Browns and Blues...The basics and More..
Hey William,
I have a question about the Wild Blue Discus. I hope that's the same as "Wild Rio Canuma Blues". First I must say....
those r beautiful discus. Where did you ordered them from? I would really like to receive a couple soon. Can u PM me?
Julian
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Re: Wild Discus Tech Notes 3... Solid Browns and Blues...The basics and More..
Hi Julian...PM sent. But not Canuma's, which are more red based...Bill
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Re: Wild Discus Tech Notes 3... Solid Browns and Blues...The basics and More..
Jim, like your Curua reds.
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Re: Wild Discus Tech Notes 3... Solid Browns and Blues...The basics and More..
Quote:
Originally Posted by
jimg
This is a brown I have had for 8 years bought in lfs for $75.00
Wow, 8 years from a lfs wild is a testament to your good care. Everyone of those are very nice. Great job.:)
Bill
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Re: Wild Discus Tech Notes 3... Solid Browns and Blues...The basics and More..
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Second Hand Pat
Jim, like your Curua reds.
Thank you!
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Re: Wild Discus Tech Notes 3... Solid Browns and Blues...The basics and More..
Quote:
Originally Posted by
wgtaylor
Wow, 8 years from a lfs wild is a testament to your good care. Everyone of those are very nice. Great job.:)
Bill
Thank you.
It was in a lfs in a 20 gallon tank with 3 or 4 others,what a chance I took! lost it last summer though.....sad day!
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Re: Wild Discus Tech Notes 3... Solid Browns and Blues...The basics and More..
Hi guys,
Here is my group of Cuipeau's that I purchase from Oliver about 7 months ago as young adults. They were $250/each. The striations are starting to come in on a couple of the larger ones while it looks like the smaller ones will remain solid body color so I should end up with a good ratio of males/females.
Mark
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Re: Wild Discus Tech Notes 3... Solid Browns and Blues...The basics and More..
I'm happy to say that I was finally able to get some wild discus of my own, and I'm very pleased with them. After I picked them up at the airport, they went into the tank and I was pretty surprised when they ate right away. I was expecting them to be really nervous and shy, but they aren't at all. My photography skills leave much to be desired, but here are some shots:
http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/7789/img3317r.jpg
http://img714.imageshack.us/img714/7698/img3335c.jpg
http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/391/img3326k.jpg
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Re: Wild Discus Tech Notes 3... Solid Browns and Blues...The basics and More..
Man-o-Man, great score Len.
Good to see that you also have the wild itch. They will sure thrive in your care and look forward to more pics.
Enjoy,
...Ralph
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Re: Wild Discus Tech Notes 3... Solid Browns and Blues...The basics and More..
I was pretty happy Ralph. I've actually been looking for awhile, but getting anyone to ship across the border was not going to happen unfortunately. I lucked out and got these far easier than I ever imagined possible. I'm especially glad that I got the largest available. My plan is to redo my 130, get rid of most of the filter sand bottom (messy PITA) and already ripped out most of the plants. I've seen some really nice tanks on here with lots of wood that are really classy and natural looking. Then of course I can get MORE wilds :)
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Re: Wild Discus Tech Notes 3... Solid Browns and Blues...The basics and More..
Len,
Those are some lovely wilds there and they should look like magic with proper care in no time.
One note on the sand: these guy need it, because they eat it too, along with a lot of stuff they pick up off the ground. My wilds spend a lot of time shifting through the sand and the young ones I keep in a tank with sand in it eat more off the ground and are less agressive after feeding than the ones with no sand on the bottom.
Fine white sand can be messy, but if you leave only 1/4"-1/3" of it on the bottom and keep another bucketful washed out and put away, you can sometimes remove some of the sand from the tank with the w/c's and replace it with some from the bucket. I've been rotating a total of about 15 kilos of sand in the big tank for nearly a year now and it works well. And the fish love it.
Congrats on the fish again, I could live with a lot like that too. :)
Nandi
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Re: Wild Discus Tech Notes 3... Solid Browns and Blues...The basics and More..
Maybe I just have too much of it in the tank. There is about 2 to 3 inches (tank was planted) so maybe I'll try leaving about 1/4" inch or so like you suggest and see if that is easier to keep clean. So far the only thing they will eat though is the FD Blackworms. They seem to ignore the bottom of the tank completely.
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Re: Wild Discus Tech Notes 3... Solid Browns and Blues...The basics and More..
If the tank was planted, then you may still have quite some lights above it. Cut down on the lights too. I only use a 3'-long fluorescent over my 8' tank and it's enough. You can use more later on, but they need quite some rest until they get used to their new homes. Don't try to force them into the environment you have at the moment, but try to comfort them as much as you can and change the environment gradually to what both the fish and you are happy with. It means water quality, lights, substrate, current and all the rest. As for the food.: "The suited man smiled and said: It's just a matter of time... you can deviate from the commonplace only to fall back in line." Dream Theater applied to discus. Not bad... :D
Nandi
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Re: Wild Discus Tech Notes 3... Solid Browns and Blues...The basics and More..
Great, thanks for the tips
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Re: Wild Discus Tech Notes 3... Solid Browns and Blues...The basics and More..
Len, use layers of window screen to shade the light. I have my tank shaded in the back and middle. I have six Nhamunda reds and the shaded areas allow the fish to adapt to the light as they please. Love your browns BTW.
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Re: Wild Discus Tech Notes 3... Solid Browns and Blues...The basics and More..
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Re: Wild Discus Tech Notes 3... Solid Browns and Blues...The basics and More..
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Re: Wild Discus Tech Notes 3... Solid Browns and Blues...The basics and More..
They are all very nice. What type of blue are they?
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Re: Wild Discus Tech Notes 3... Solid Browns and Blues...The basics and More..
Thanks Gary and Pat. they are reds from Hans's $85.00 ones
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Re: Wild Discus Tech Notes 3... Solid Browns and Blues...The basics and More..
Very nice for the money. How big are they?