Honest opinion on these two, please

[LizStreithorst]

I want to here most from people who know more than I do, but anyone who wants to offer a critique is welcome to comment.

[seanyuki]

Nice discus Liz.......we do need people grading discus here.

[LizStreithorst]

I don't want anyone to grade them, just tell me what you think and why. I know what I see. What I want is to see the fish through other people's eyes. I think they give a pretty pleasing first impression. s

[jeep]

I think they're very nice! Not show quality, but very much above the average compared to what we've been seeing flood the market in recent years from the questionable importers.

Critically speaking, I see a bit of a weak chin on one and a slightly out of proportion finnage. Pattern seems pretty nice and even on both for traditional snake skins.

If they are a pair I wouldn't hesitate letting them breed because I see no real genetic defects.

[LizStreithorst]

Thanks, Brian.

[two utes]

I want to here most from people who know more than I do, but anyone who wants to offer a critique is welcome to comment.

I certainly don't know more than you about discus, but i do know that this pair looks very appealing to me....l just love spotted discus. They look clean and in healthy condition.

[danotaylor]

I for sure don't know as much as you Liz, but I love both of these fish very much. I'm a sucker for the metallic blue base color and spots. The fish in pic 1, whilst has a very slightly weak chin, has an overall more appealing rounder looking body shape to me. The other fish has a stronger chin but is a little taller at it's dorsal peak which diminishes it's roundness every so slightly. Having said that, I would be delighted to own these fish, and would be boasting and posting them all over the place. They're stunning to me, and highly desirable.

[Shan_Evolved]

Nice pair Liz!

I got nothing bad to say about the fish, I think they look nice and thick and round,

however I don't think the camera/lighting do them justice

[Second Hand Pat]

Super nice fish Liz I have nothing more to offer then what has been suggested. I consider both yours and Brian's eye better then my own.
Pat

[LizStreithorst]

Thanks folks.

Shan E. I'm happy with them under that lighting.

Danny and Brian, I have nothing against a high body and high finnage. I like the look. Still, I think that it's best to breed a high finned/bodied fish to a round type. I don't like extremes.

A weak chin is the most common fault in Discus. I don't have a fish of this type I could breed to to eliminate it so I accept it.

Although I know well that both of these fish would be criticized in the show ring for not being able to call themselves spotted fish because they are not totally spotted like an Eruption. But it's not what I was going for. I like a good blue SS with discrete red spots. I don't care for the artificial look of the Eruptions. It's just me. If I breed Discus I must breed to my personal standard first.

I can nit pick little things that haven't been mentioned but what really bothers me most is the lack of any spotting at all toward the ventral part of the body. All the fish of my breeding have the same fault and I cannot find any of "my" type of Spotted SS to buy. I'm just stuck.

I hope more folks give their opinion and post pics of their own fish they'd like others options of. It's fun to learn what is good and bad. No problem if folks want to stand up for their fish either. Even the best judges are only giving an opinion.

[LizStreithorst]

They are pecking on the cone. No telling how long that part of foreplay could last. I'd like to breed them to fish that were strong where they are weak, but nobody has what I need so I'll just have to keep the best and work up to what I want the slow way. Breeding Discus is a long process.

[danotaylor]

Liz I think the fry from this pair will be spectacular. If you split the difference on the chins and body shape & height the young will be stunning. I know you mentioned wanting fully spotted fish, so is it possible that some of their offspring would be fully spotted? Definitely a project worth the time IMHO as they're a stunning pair!

[CliffsDiscus]

Ok Liz,
Here is what I see, very nice anyone would be proud to own this pair. They are not movie
star quality but much be than the run of the
mill. Now what my eyes see is that the eyes
are very slightly large and doesn't have what
judges call "full circle red", the other thing
is that the rays are split, not sure if an manicure will help and last the double chin.
The striations are great to see without any used of hormone. It's a keeper.

Cliff

[LizStreithorst]

Thanks, Cliff.

[pastry]

Pretty horrible, Liz... I'll help you out, just send them to me

Really like the shape, red eyes, and continuation of pattern onto the face.