Discus Truly are Cichlids

[brewmaster15]

Hi all,
I thought I would share something a little different. I have been working with wild X domestic crosses now for years. My main focus has been wild greens crossed to Blue Snakeskins. In that cross I have really been keen on the snakeskin and have focused on breeding those as F1 and F2. But thats not all there was in this project. The parents of the F1 crosses threw a bunch of Blue Turq looking fish as well in the mix(parents..wild green male x female blue snakeskin)
. Though I am really working on the snakeskin ones I did want to grow out some of the Blue Turquoise phenotype... and I did. I have 5 left, born in 2018 so 5 years old...These are siblings to my current breeding snakeskins. I have never posted them before but have mentioned them in past discussions. These are not what most breeders would have kept and raised out. Their shape is poor. Their eyes are big... they are basically wild throwbacks with alot of color, Lucky for them I am doing this for me, to learn and enjoy my hobby.So I march to my own tune. I am glad I kept them,, I think they may be very good intermediaries in my breeding program,Time will tell.

I decided to post these not so much for their looks here but for their behavior.. I have seen few domestics as aggressive as this group is. Scales going flying every time they eat. If you have time to watch the video, pay attention to their eyes, and posturing. you might find time point 3:30-4:00 entertaining.

Their aggressive behavior has been growing the last few months I have not been able to breed these yet, but I am hopeful that with all the testosterone in that tank something may happen with them.

The video is 13 minutes , taken today.




Next time you have a little aggression or have a bully in your tank, be glad ! They could be much worse!

I hope you enjoy the video...

al

Just another disclaimer , I know their shape is weak.. I am looking beyond that,

[LizStreithorst]

OMG Al, I have never seen such aggressive Discus. I like the horizontal pattern. If you want pairs to form they need a way larger tank.

[brewmaster15]

Thanks Liz.. they have a 75g they will be moving to. Their 75g sprang a leak the other day.. just picked up a new one at petco.

[brewmaster15]

I want to add also that in my F2 crosses none of the fry are blue turq phenotype...oddly enough there red turq phenotypes in the f2s... wasnt expecting that... you can see the red turq phenotype in the f2 here..https://forum.simplydiscus.com/showt...in-a-Long-time

[Second Hand Pat]

Those are cool Al and you can definitely see the wild green influence in the lower coloration of the bottom on these guys. I wonder if the wild plus being siblings is adding to the aggression? I have had wild males go after each other like with your guys here when competing for a female but I do not think that is an influence here. I think these guys are worth messing with
Pat

[Adamski77]

Al... you got a boxing ring out there... every night show!

... and seriously... thought mine are fighting... changed perspective now...

[jwcarlson]

I think you should market these as "Kissing Discus" and sell them at a premium, Al.

[brewmaster15]

Al... you got a boxing ring out there... every night show!

... and seriously... thought mine are fighting... changed perspective now...

Lol.. sure looks like one here!

[brewmaster15]

I think you should market these as "Kissing Discus" and sell them at a premium, Al.

I know! These guys lip locking reminds of what I see in wild angels. ..pretty intense.

[brewmaster15]

Those are cool Al and you can definitely see the wild green influence in the lower coloration of the bottom on these guys. I wonder if the wild plus being siblings is adding to the aggression? I have had wild males go after each other like with your guys here when competing for a female but I do not think that is an influence here. I think these guys are worth messing with
Pat

I don't know Pat but I have noted that even in their snakekin siblings aggression runs high... I have no doubt if I were to mix them it would be the same with the snakeskins. It makes breeding them very challenging. I really see this as the effect of the wild genetics. . I am looking forward to seeing how the F2s I have growing now behave as adults. .

[jeep]

I don't think any of them has established dominance yet, lol... I'll have to show this to someone when they think they have a tank bully

[RickyB]

My Africans had nothing on these guys when it comes to agression, Al. I got out of keeping African Cichlids because I witnessed this every day. It's exhausting.

[Red Eye.]

top Film Al did they sort it out?...

[brewmaster15]

Thanks! Not yet..lol.. They are in a 75 gal now and feeding time is still pretty rough. I did add two domestic female snakeskins which has helped a bit.
Al

[LizStreithorst]

Al, don't leave us hanging. How are they doing now. There's one or two in that group that I wish were mine.