I'm So Excited

[brewmaster15]

Willie when are you getting yours?

Al

[Willie]

I'm picking up both batches of fish from Chicago Discus on Columbus Day weekend. Got my quarantine tank all ready to go!

[brewmaster15]

Exciting indeed!
Al

[Willie]

That Panthera Leopard pair went into my quarantine tank last night and I see the male already starting to twitch. Female has prominent Heckel-like bars (not sure why as there's no recent Heckle cross in their lineage - that I'm aware of).

[CliffsDiscus]

Awesome!

Cliff

[Charlyc11]

Beautiful Willie

[seanyuki]

Nice looking pair.

[brewmaster15]

Beautiful Fish Willie! They have seriously nice shape! Congratulations!

Al

[Willie]

There's pretty serious discus at Chicago Discus when I stopped by on Sunday. Since I had already ordered my fish, my attempt to take pictures were pathetic. No special lights, no framing... Still the fish were worth sharing. These Red Alenquers were much better than what I've seen posted elsewhere.

RedAlenquer.jpg

RedAlenquer2.jpg

Gold something or other... Seeing an entire group is usually the best way to assess shape and quality.

GoldX.jpg

This is a terrible picture of a mixed tank, but the Heckle crosses were very nice.

HeckleCross.jpg

Finally, here's something to drool over. Miranda had special ordered a pair of Ring Leopards. Again not a great picture, but you can see these guys are 7"+ and perfect in every way.

RingLeo.jpg

[Tshethar]

Wow. Those leopards are something for sure. Like the Alenquers and the Heckel-crosses, too. I was thinking about going that route after you told me I shouldn't keep Heckels. (jk!) Personally I think the prominent 5th bar is kinda cool on your fish.

[Chicago Discus]

Willie, I definitely am not hiring you to take pictures for us! The Alenquers look good, but here's a better picture of the Goldens:

B45A7BB4-9F90-412F-828B-EFC9155830D5.jpg

And those Heckel Crosses barely show up! Here's a slightly better picture. It is a mixed tank because there are only a few of each of these strains left this month.

IMG_1599.jpg

And the big beautiful Ring Leopard pair gets shipped out tonite!

IMG_1601.jpg

[Willie]

Wow. Those leopards are something for sure. Like the Alenquers and the Heckel-crosses, too. I was thinking about going that route after you told me I shouldn't keep Heckels. (jk!) Personally I think the prominent 5th bar is kinda cool on your fish.

Bill;

The Heckel crosses are a great compromise that should thrive in regular tap water. The two on the left have spots (probably from a cross to a leopard), which is very rare.

Willie

[AquaticNerd]

Willie, I definitely am not hiring you to take pictures for us! The Alenquers look good, but here's a better picture of the Goldens:

B45A7BB4-9F90-412F-828B-EFC9155830D5.jpg

And those Heckel Crosses barely show up! Here's a slightly better picture. It is a mixed tank because there are only a few of each of these strains left this month.

IMG_1599.jpg

And the big beautiful Ring Leopard pair gets shipped out tonite!

IMG_1601.jpg

Those Ring Leopards - WOW WOW WOW!

[Willie]

If you're ever in Chicago, be sure to visit Miranda and Josie. Here's a quick shot of their front yard with bee hives in the distance.



Winding back, you get to see awesome bonsai trees and competition grade koi. There are also ducks and fancy chickens.



The century old Japanese maple at ~38 sec will turn bright red soon. And you see Miranda and my wife right before I pan to the koi pond.

[Tshethar]

I was just watching a video tour a few days ago that had been posted of their place... including the yard! I admit I am impressed as I have tried (and mostly failed) at managing to keep up with fun projects like "edible landscaping" along with my fish... read up on bees but wisely realized I didn't have time.... neglected my vermicomposter... once dug a goldfish pond at our old place (and enjoyed it--they bred like crazy) but the filter filled with muck awfully quickly... always fantasized about koi, too.

Would definitely enjoy the visit and may yet... ideally when I have tank space!