Shawn's 65 gallon Stendker grow out
Hello my name is Shawn.
My tank is a 65 gallon that has been running since April. For filtration I have 2 Hydro 4 sponge filters and a AC110 HOB. My heater is a 300W Jager. My tap water has no PH swing so I'm able to do 70 to 80% water changes daily with the Python system. I ordered 6 fish from Hans at end of May. My order included 2 German Wonders, 2 Cobalts, and 2 Snakeskin blues. 1 of the Snakeskins actually ended up being a Flachen x Snakeskin.
6 Attachment(s)
Re: Shawn's 65 gallon Stendker grow out
The fish were all three inches when I received them.
Here are some pictures from the first day.
German Wonder
Attachment 120278
Flachen x snakeskin
Attachment 120283
Cobalt
Attachment 120284
German Wonder
Attachment 120285
Blue Snakeskin
Attachment 120286
Cobalt
Attachment 120287
Re: Shawn's 65 gallon Stendker grow out
After adding the fish everything went well for the first 2 weeks except that my tank was not completely cycled. I had gone through the fisless cycle before purchasing the fish. I never got a high reading for nitrite but I was getting some nitrate reading around 10 to 20ppm. I believe this was due to the starter bacteria I used to help the cycle. Once I added the fish the cycle was kick started and I was fighting ammonia and nitrite. So I had to do two water changes a day till the tank cycled. This ended up stressing my fish and three of them stopped eating. Between the cycle not being complete and me scaring them all the time they showed signs of hex. So, I treated them with Metro for 7 days and all of the fish recovered.
2 Attachment(s)
Re: Shawn's 65 gallon Stendker grow out
After going through the tank cycling and the fish getting sick I'm forgetting to enjoy the hobby and asking myself if I really want to do this. But after getting the fish to start eating again I start to settle into a routine of 4 to 6 feedings a day and a 70 to 80 percent water change a day. The fish are happy and seem to be doing well.
Here are some pictures around 2 months after getting them. They are 4 inches or bigger and the color is starting to get better.
Attachment 120296
They are huddled together after water change
Attachment 120297
3 Attachment(s)
Re: Shawn's 65 gallon Stendker grow out
At the end of July I am really enjoying these flat fish and I want another one that is a bit different. After hours of looking online making a choice and then changing my mind over and over again I finally decide. I order a 4 inch Pigeon Blood Blue from Hans.
I receive the fish on the first week of August
Attachment 120298
Here are some pictures from when I got him next to my two smallest fish. The blue snakeskin and one of the German Wonders.
Attachment 120299Attachment 120300
7 Attachment(s)
Re: Shawn's 65 gallon Stendker grow out
Here are some pictures from the second week of September. Some of the fish have reached 5 inches. They are pretty happy and healthy.
Smallest
Blue snakeskin
Attachment 120301
German Wonder
Attachment 120302
Cobalt
Attachment 120303
German Wonder
Attachment 120304
Pigeon Blood Blue
Attachment 120305
Flachen x Snakeskin
Attachment 120306
Cobalt
Attachment 120307
Re: Shawn's 65 gallon Stendker grow out
Hey Shawn...sorry you had a rough start with your water cycle but you were persistent and went through the proper measures and I tell you it sure paid off. Your Stendkers look well filled in and happy. Thanks for sharing your experience.
...Ralph
Re: Shawn's 65 gallon Stendker grow out
Ralph thank you for your kind words
7 Attachment(s)
Re: Shawn's 65 gallon Stendker grow out
Here are some pictures from October. Most have reached 5 inches except 2 but they are around 4.5 to 4.75 inches long.
Attachment 120308
Attachment 120309
Attachment 120310
Attachment 120311
Attachment 120312
Attachment 120313
Attachment 120314
7 Attachment(s)
Re: Shawn's 65 gallon Stendker grow out
Pictures from November
Cobalt
Attachment 120319
Flachen x Snakeskin
Attachment 120320
Pigeon Blood Blue
Attachment 120321
Cobalt
Attachment 120322
German Wonder
Attachment 120323
German Wonder
Attachment 120324
Blue Snakeskin
Attachment 120325
1 Attachment(s)
Re: Shawn's 65 gallon Stendker grow out
Last post to bring my tank journal up to date. 2 weeks ago I ordered another discus from Hans. I got a 4 inch Leopard Snakeskin. So far it is doing well with the other fish and in fact the aggression in the tank has been less. Only problem now is I need a bigger tank.
Attachment 120326
Re: Shawn's 65 gallon Stendker grow out
Your fish look beautiful! Do you qt your new arrivals?
Re: Shawn's 65 gallon Stendker grow out
Mando thank you for the compliment.
I did not QT. Reason being when I asked Hans about QT, he said it was not necessary if the only fish in the tank were from him.
Re: Shawn's 65 gallon Stendker grow out
Some journey so far!
The fish are really looking great now 👍 they seem to have a really nice shape despite the bad start with the ammonia.
I love reading all these threads and experiences we all have, it’s real learning from real world situations, not peoples opinions that may be good or bad or even best practice guidelines from the different breeders.
Thanks for the thread
Mick
Re: Shawn's 65 gallon Stendker grow out
All your fish look great mate...really nice...I am curious and have a question though; how did you come to the conclusion that you have a flachen x snake skin? I thought all of Hans Stendkers were pure strain discus? Also do you have a full tank shot that you can show us? Cheers mate :thumbsup: