Twenty Stendker Leopard Fry Grow Out

[CraigJ]

Here is my first foray into forum writing.

Over the past two years, I’ve done a few small grow outs with limited success, mainly issues with smaller than expected sized adults and learning “I knew I should have quarantined them longer… “. It wasn’t until I heard Dick Au’s speech at 2016 NADA about “Growing Trophy Discus” that I got excited about another attempt at growing fry into large adults.

First step, how does a hobbyist find quality local fry for a large grow out? I got super lucky and want to thank Ardan for allowing me to adopt some of his beautiful fry. He has taken excellent care of them and has set me off on a great path with healthy fry and a seeded filter. I hope that I don’t let him down. I also wish to thank Discus Hans, as he provided the Stendker Leopard proven pair that Ardan won in a NADA raffle.

Here is a short video of the parents that you may have already viewed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnWjUB-XkrQ

Here are some pictures of my 20 fry from the Stendker Leopard the morning after I received them. Sixteen were born on 8-9-16 and four were born on 8-28-16 (small fry really don’t like being photographed?)



Applying Al’s Discus 101, I’m running a 55 g bare bottom tank with sponge filter. I am currently feeding them 5 times a day, mainly with John’s recipe for beef heart mix (spinach, not peas), occasional Cobalt flakes, and FDBW. The beef heart mix is currently being cut into bite sizes with a new single edged razor blade.



The tank is vacuumed 20-30 minutes after each feeding. Temperature of tank is 84 degrees and the filtered tap water is aged for 24 hours with water changes around 80% nightly. The tank's back is a fiberglass drop ceiling panel complements of Rick and the bottom of the tank is painted white. All equipment used with this tank is kept separated from my other tanks.

I hope to improve my discus keeping and sharpen my photo skills. Any positive corrections along the way will be appreciated. I hope you enjoy my journey with my 20 new fry.

Again, thank you Ardan.

CraigJ

[Phillydubs]

Very Cool! Keep taking pics and adding here! Will be fun to watch this~!

[John_Nicholson]

Looking great.

-john

[CraigJ]

Thanks John and Phil,

Any idea on how to allow the YouTube Video to show?

A quick follow up with a few pictures of week 2.







Enjoy.

[Dhavalsp]

good luck craig...looks like a nice bunch!!

[CraigJ]

Thanks David,

1/2" per month sets the bar pretty hight.......I'll do my best.

Off to search Amazon for fish steroids

Craigj

[Ardan]

Craig,
They are looking great! Keep up the good work and keep posting. I look forward to seeing them grow up.
You are welcome

Ardan

[CraigJ]

Thanks Ardan,

Everything continues to go well and the fry are always hungry. Here are a few pictures from the beginning of week 3.

Sixteen of the 20 Discus are about three months old and measure approximately 6.4 cm.










I do have one discus that has a deformed gill plate. As this fish's body grows, one gill plate does not appear to be growing, or at least as fast. Decisions, decisions, as this is a beautiful fish from the other side.

Craigj

[rickztahone]

Great looking group. A lot of potential in there.

Keep feeding good food and you will have an awesome group down the line. Don't forget to sell some along the way as they get larger.

As far as the short gill plate, you can either euthanize or give away to someone who wants to learn about discus but does not plan on breeding.

[CraigJ]

Great looking group. A lot of potential in there.

As far as the short gill plate, you can either euthanize or give away to someone who wants to learn about discus but does not plan on breeding.

I appreciate it Rick and giving it away is an excellent idea as it is nice looking so far (from it's left side ). My goal is to have a grow out as successful as yours. I 'm also trying very hard to apply what I learned in your photo seminar at the 2016 NADA show. Fry are fast and require a lot more light that I was expecting. Also, shooting with a tripod in a small area takes a ton of practice and patience.

Craigj

[John_Nicholson]

Still looking great.

-john

[rickztahone]

I appreciate it Rick and giving it away is an excellent idea as it is nice looking so far (from it's left side ). My goal is to have a grow out as successful as yours. I 'm also trying very hard to apply what I learned in your photo seminar at the 2016 NADA show. Fry are fast and require a lot more light that I was expecting. Also, shooting with a tripod in a small area takes a ton of practice and patience.

Craigj

I am glad you are putting those skills to the test. I'll be honest, when I first opened the thread, I actually saw the pics and was like "wow, these are nice pics". It isn't every day you get to see very depicting pictures of discus, so any time that i do see some, I admire .

Let me know if you have any photo related questions, or grow out related questions.

Although having done a presentation was a great platform at NADA, everyone should keep in mind that I'm always willing to help out beginners to pros in photography. I like teaching people how to photograph, and a large majority of time, I do it free of charge . Unless it is a food subject, then all bets are off

[Phillydubs]

I love that golden sheen to them... does that stay as they mature?

[CraigJ]

Let me know if you have any photo related questions, or grow out related questions.

Well,

I'm using a Canon 60D with 50 mm 1:1.8 II and trying to shoot at 45 degrees to subject using a tripod. Would you suggest auto or manual focus? When using auto focus, too many of my pictures come out making me wonder what the heck the camera was focusing on. I realize part of that is lighting and speed, but......makes me think about dusting off my trusty Canon FTb and shooting with slides.

Craigj

[CraigJ]

Beginning of week 4, so time for another Wednesday update,

Fortunately, everything continues to go along fairly smoothly. I did add an additional new sponge filter and am chopping the beef heart mix a tad bigger to discourage any clouding of the water. Although I have been removing visible uneaten food 30 minutes after feeding, about dinner time the water wouldn't be as crystal clear as it was in the morning, so hopefully, the added filter will help. I'm currently not using Seachem Safe, as I age my water, but just picked up some just in case of extreme tap water conditions. Also, my discus are like my kids in that spinach is not their favorite food. ; > ) Gotta work on that.....FDBW w/spinach and a Black Friday Special?









Finally, I have a couple fry that are not growing nearly as fast as the others. I know this is normal, but is there a way to improve their growth?

Craigj