Eric's Grow Out Challenge Thread

[Pices]

Very nice Eric. You’ve got a some big bruisers in there.
Patty

[modealings]

Pat's close up cell phone photos gave me some inspiration to try it today...

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[Pices]

Hey Eric if you crop the pics a little they will be right side up.
Patty

[Second Hand Pat]

They look great Eric, try a slight crop next time before uploading so they appear right side up. I will try and fix your images a bit later.
Pat

[modealings]

Thank you. Sorry this is what I get for not previewing the post. Seems like i never have the problem if I keep my cell phone horizontal. Any help with the current pics is appreciated Pat. Thanks,
Eric

[Second Hand Pat]

Thank you. Sorry this is what I get for not previewing the post. Seems like i never have the problem if I keep my cell phone horizontal. Any help with the current pics is appreciated Pat. Thanks,
Eric

Hope they look ok Eric
Pat

[modealings]

Hope they look ok Eric
Pat

Thank you!!

[modealings]

9 weeks - AKA 3 weeks until first official check-in!

Holding the course. I've been trying to do as many WC's as possible. Averaging 1-2 during the day and then the 90-100% every evening. I think it's helping to even out their growth. The runt remains comically tiny but still eating (far left of 3rd photo, at 30sec on the video).

Their colors are really starting to show nicely too. The turqs seem to have a lot of variation with a lot of red in the largest one and mainly blue in the others.

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[modealings]

When I look back at last weeks video - I think Im making some progress with all these WCs!

[fljones3]

Just some general questions:

1. Any reason why you have one runt in the bunch? Obviously he is not sick.
2. From observation, having the runt does not seem to affect the growth of the others?
3. Do you think there was something early on that affected that one fish only?
4. What are your plans for the runt? From what I have seen, most cull the runt.

Enjoying all the forum postings on this. Many great observations.

[modealings]

Just some general questions:

1. Any reason why you have one runt in the bunch? Obviously he is not sick.

My best guess is both a combination of environmental and genetic/birth defects. Certainly looking back on it I think I shouldve started them all on some BBS or at least not moved right to BH mix so quickly. That being said, the other 9 seemed to do okay. I also notice that the gill plates on the runt seem to be a bit short so it may just not have been as strong from the get go.

2. From observation, having the runt does not seem to affect the growth of the others?

I dont think so. Discus are a shoaling fish and from what I've read, it seems like there always has to be one at the bottom of the group pecking order unless you really have a large group. As long as it's not acting as a harbinger of disease, I can't see it hurting the growth of the other fish.

3. Do you think there was something early on that affected that one fish only?

Again I think my best guess is a combination of not feeding the most easily digestible food early on and possible birth defects (gill plates). Then likely once it got behind enough, it could just never catch up.

4. What are your plans for the runt? From what I have seen, most cull the runt.

I'm planning to keep it around unless it starts acting sick. Right now it's still eating well and hanging out with the group. I'd prefer to not have to remove it and then force another fish to the bottom of the pecking order. But I'd never breed it or let it leave my fish room should it make it that far.


Enjoying all the forum postings on this. Many great observations.

Hi Frank - I have limited experience but will answer the best I can. Hopefully others will jump in two. Thanks for your questions!

[fljones3]

Thanks Eric. Very interesting observations. I found it educational and helpful.

[sanjay21]

Great ! looking stock my friend All the fish are having great shapes.

[Second Hand Pat]

They look great Eric and getting big
Pat

[jeep]

Very nice Eric! i'm seeing a stiff competition here and am enjoying everyone's contributions!!!