Too many meds....not enough water changes.
Can't help but notice there seems to be a reoccurring theme on a lot of the contest threads. Contestants get the fry to a certain point then all of a sudden they are throwing everything but the kitchen sink at them, trying to cure a problem that in all likelyhood could have been prevented with proper tank maintenance.
There is a saying...an ounce pf prevention is worth a pound of cure. Nothing could be more true when it comes to raising baby discus.
Perhaps this being a contest and all, too many are too concerned with growing them too fast, as a result are trying to power feed, but not doing enough water changes in relation to their feeding schedule? Baby discus will grow just fine getting fed 2-3 times a day once past 4 weeks or so. Granted more feedings will allow them to grow faster, but only if the water quality is maintained.
If given a choice between pristine water and an extra feeding, I will always take the former. Opinions?
Rick
Re: Too many meds....not enough water changes.
Back when my fish first started spawning, I always had great luck with small spawns and lousy luck with the large ones. It didn't take long to figure out the bigger batches got more food, produced more waste, had more left over food in the tank, and in the end poorer water quality. Power feeding without power water changing seems like a natural recipe for problems.
Re: Too many meds....not enough water changes.
clear water is not clean water
Re: Too many meds....not enough water changes.
I think it's because too many batches or way too many tanks/things to handle but there is 24 hours a day. full time job, family, kids and discus that is lot of works already, now on top of that frys requires a lot of cares just like having a new baby in family. just my opinion.
Re: Too many meds....not enough water changes.
I don't think these fish are meant to be separated to '8' by 2 months
It's an unhealthy situation - fish are too small, scared, etc
And people are trying to compensate with meds (in addition to your water quality concerns)
Re: Too many meds....not enough water changes.
One thing I find very interesting is the huge difference already between fry being raised in the 'traditional' method and fry being raised in non-conventional ways. The mortality rates speak volumes.
The contest is already proving to be a great educational resource IMO.
Re: Too many meds....not enough water changes.
But many of the fish have succumbed to illness before two months. usually by three months your home free.
Re: Too many meds....not enough water changes.
In some cases that is very true Jim but not in all :)
Re: Too many meds....not enough water changes.
I bet we could agree to "most cases" lol
:)
Re: Too many meds....not enough water changes.
Re: Too many meds....not enough water changes.
Of course :)
Skip, you are pretty conventional...at least with your fry rearing.
Re: Too many meds....not enough water changes.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Harry Marsh
I don't think these fish are meant to be separated to '8' by 2 months
It's an unhealthy situation - fish are too small, scared, etc
And people are trying to compensate with meds (in addition to your water quality concerns)
2 months of age puts the average discus right about at 2 inches in length which is a pretty common size to start selling them at. I don't think separating 8 of them out at that age should be an issue.
Re: Too many meds....not enough water changes.
i am not sure.. how many people actually had 2" fish.. at 8 weeks... ?
Re: Too many meds....not enough water changes.
Maybe I spend too much time reading Rick's threads...lol.
Re: Too many meds....not enough water changes.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
CozyKeith
Maybe I spend too much time reading Rick's threads...lol.
mine were dime sized at 6 weeks when i got them