Hero fish question...

[danotaylor]

I'm back from my trip to Australia. My discus all are in great condition despite no water changes and 6 light feedings in 18 days. Now I can move forward with my long awaited desire and put my 2 groups of discus together in the 125 gal. The SS juvies from Al's pair are in a 75gal are 4.5" & 3.25" atm from a later batch. My hero fish choice would be my biggest (bossiest) adult marlb yellow male. He's over 6". Do you think he's too big to put in with the others? I don't wanna divide the 75gal but I could to achieve the QT goal, while growing the smaller ones more over the next 4-6 wks.
What are your thoughts? Cheers

[two utes]

Wouldn't mind seeing some current fish pics Dan.....you sure are moving forward with your discus......but how was your trip to Australia....Hope the queenslanders put on some good weather for you mate.

[danotaylor]

Haha, g'day Joe. I just posted a few happy snaps on your fishing thread. We had a blast on Straddie mate. We saw the Lions thump the Hawks after a shocker start at the Gabba as well! I am a Pie's bloke at heart, but Brissy is my home town!
I will post up some update pics here soon mate!

[jeep]

I've never seen adults harass juvies that bad. I think you will be fine for the QT period...

[danotaylor]

Thanks Brian. It's my 1st QT experience so I just wanted some guidance. I appreciate your reply mate!

[danotaylor]

I moved the marlb yellow into the 75gal tonight...watching watching watching...

As promised Joe, a few snaps from tonight...
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Sold as "red albino"...was red, now peach, gets a nice red halo on fins though
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Red panda. Much less yellow in person. Just how he looks on cell phone camera pic.
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Another peachy "red albino" and proven red melon female
20190615_234159.jpg
Same red melon female.

I might separate one of the albino males with the red melon female and see what kind of intermediates they produce...maybe

[Filip]

Why using the biggest , bossies discus as a hero Dan ?
Ussualy we use the smallest and ugliest discus as a hero fish.
My wild guess would be that you would have to divide him with an egg crate eventually , but it wouldn't hurt to just watch and observe his bossiness for the first couple of days .

[danotaylor]

Hi Filip. I chose him because I like him the least and is the 1 I am willing to risk most if there is an issue. I don't have a smaller uglier 1 (pretty fortunate actually hey) and don't want the other 4 adults pictured above affected. That is what I understood about the hero fish strategy and why I made the original post about the size/temperament this guy. If he does become aggressive I will certainly use my divider and hope that once the QT shows that can all exist together from a pathogenic standpoint they will coexist in my 6', 125 gal tank. Cheers mate!

[Filip]

Hi Filip. I chose him because I like him the least and is the 1 I am willing to risk most if there is an issue. I don't have a smaller uglier 1 (pretty fortunate actually hey) and don't want the other 4 adults pictured above affected. That is what I understood about the hero fish strategy and why I made the original post about the size/temperament this guy. If he does become aggressive I will certainly use my divider and hope that once the QT shows that can all exist together from a pathogenic standpoint they will coexist in my 6', 125 gal tank. Cheers mate!

That explains it well , Dan . I wish you good luck with your QT outcome and agresion issues after mixing the two groups together .

[danotaylor]

Thank you Filip. It is a bit counterintuitive but the best option available. With continued WC's and feeding I hope the bigger SS hit 5" and the smaller hit 4.5" over the 6 week QT period. That's should help improve any aggression in the 125 once they graduate QT, LOL.
Cheers bro!

[danotaylor]

A few snaps of the fish in the 75gal...
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20190616_122652.jpg

I think they're doing well. I'm happy. Thanks again Tom!!

[danotaylor]

Oops, same pic twice, sorry Heres a couple with the hero fish...
20190616_124014.jpg

20190616_124040.jpg

I am hoping all goes well. They're getting along so far, but the big guy is still a little sheepish from the plop & drop...

[jeep]

They look good enough for the contest!!

[Filip]

They look great Dan. I hope they'll add another extra inch during the 6 week QT period.

[danotaylor]

Thx Brian & Filip.
Brian the bigger 2 were contest fish with Tom. They were about 3" when I acquired them, and the smaller were about 1.5". With Tom's permission I sold some off to finance buying fish for the 125 gal he generously donated to the mens recovery house our church facilitates. I bought some lovely cyphotilapia gibberosa mikula and a few other bits & pieces, which are all doing great.
Cheers you blokes