Wild Discus: Forcing to form pairs?

All,

I have a group of 16 wild discus that were imported in March of last year. I have had them for the past year.
They have had their ups and downs but, at this point, they are all in A+ health.
I will post some videos of them below.

I want to ask for your opinion on their spawning. Here are some points-

• I have not seen any pairing behavior as of yet
• They all push each other. Some of the bigger males have even claimed territories in the 210-gallon tank.
• I have even tried to introduce breeding cones, but not a single fish has shown interest in them yet.

I am also listing the details about water parameters etc., below.

Here's what I am thinking in terms of plan-
Plan 1
Select a pair (hopefully, I can identify a male and female) and house them in a 20 Gallon high tank. From there onwards, watch them closely and see if they hot it off.

Plan 2-
Change water in 210 Gallon tank from tap to RO. See if that triggers any pairing formation.

Which of these two options would you suggest? Or would you suggest something else altogether?

Current water parameters:
Temperature: 84F
pH: 7.4-7.5
TDS: 70
GH: 40-50 ppm or 3dGH(This is the best LaMotte can do)
KH: 52-55 ppm or 2.3 dKH
Ammonia, Nitrite = 0 ppm
Nitrates < 20 ppm
Water Change Frequency: every 3-4 days, about 70%
Substrate: a cm thick layer of fine river sand
Decor: a driftwood
Filtration: sump with filter roller and a lot of biological media.
Aeration: Extra airstone running
Light on the tank- 7 hours photoperiod.
Food: homemade recipe (Shrimp, Salmon, Mahi Mahi, veggies, algae, cricket powder, etc.)

Videos:
http://youtu.be/En7WAXeukGk

http://youtu.be/9LoKuhMFQRc

The 20 gallon approach would work for you. I would not do the RO. Discus will spawn in tab water. If you would post photos of the fish. I can usually tell on sight a male from a female providing the fish have matured. Also, you can put 3 suspects into a 20 gallon tank and if one is of each sex then they will pair eventually. Chances in water will trigger spawning activity. Temp up or downn or a water change or a change in weather.will trigger if they are ready. There also may be a spawning season for these wild fish.

No expert, but did start off with wild discus and learned to just keep them happy. But slight triggers can help (try cooler than normal WC... then do it again the next day... then 2 days later again... do it before afternoon sun). If nothing, then safely reduce Ph with WCs.

As for #2... maybe a 30 gallon, dim lighting, put suspected female in first (get her comfortable... may most likely require non-discus tankmate temporarily)....feed live foods to get her fat & showing wild roots... then introduce suspected male once she's 100%, clearly settled in (remove tankmates minutes after introducing male).

Honestly though... just keep them happy :)

Nice wild discus and set up too.

Wow. What a terrific set up.

fish look amazing. I have heard the 3 fish works. They pair and then push away the 3rd. remove 3rd from tank and they spawn.

These fish look so beautiful, they look like pictures in a discus poster! :thumbsup:

Too many Discus, take out 8 and feed live black worms they should start to pair off.

Cliff

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CliffsDiscus

Too many Discus, take out 8 and feed live black worms they should start to pair off.

Cliff

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Hi Sumer, Cliff is on the right track here. A large tank with low density is a good starting point. I had 12 tefe in my 230 when my first pair formed. For me my wilds also started pairing up late in their second year starting in February which is the beginning of the wet season. One thing you do not know is how old the fish are so you may need to be patient. Wilds will want soft water for breeding with a TDS of about 70.

Also I would not try to force a pair or move a hopeful pair to a smaller tank. Lower your stock density, Add enough RO water to get the TDS about 70 (be sure to watch the kh to ensure the ph is buffered) and wait until February. I would suggest a 50% water change a week with aged (RO/tap mix) water. You do not want to mix the RO and tap in the tank. Stabilize the water in an aging bin first. I have a 120 gallon bin for that. Beautiful fish BTW.
Pat

I would also suggest moving the altums to their own tank.
Pat

In case you are curious http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showth...ild-Tefe-Spawn.
Pat