Lauren's Discus Breeding Journey

[lauren0626]

Hello all,
On Jan 7, 2006, I moved my Marlboro Red male and Red Pearl female from the show tank downstairs to a 20 g breeding tank upstairs. This is the first discus breeding tank in my life. I am excited, and I am full of expectations!
I want to share my experience with all of you here on SimplyDiscus. If you are an expert, you are welcomed to commet on whatever you think is or is not done properly. I'm sure I will be bugging you with a LOT of questions down the road! If you are a common discus hobbist like me, who's never bred discus in the past , lets enjoy this whole new adventure together!
After all, I'm sure everyone likes to see some pictures of our beloved discus!
I thank god for creating such wounderful fish, so none of us never ever feels boring.

[lauren0626]

Jan 7, 2006.
The pair moved to their new home. Home, sweet home!

[lauren0626]

The mom-to-be:

[lauren0626]

The dad-to-be:
Both parents are just over 1 year old.

[lauren0626]

The newly weds in their new home:

[AADiscus]

Your tank looks like a good set-up. I would move your heater down close to the bottom of the tank. When you get fry you'll be doing lots of big water changes and you don't want that heater exposed.

Are you using RO water? What parameters are you shooting for?

[lauren0626]

I'm pretty sure that they still miss their old home and old buddies...

[lauren0626]

They've lost their first spawn late November, last year. I think they ate the eggs because I took too many pictures.

[lauren0626]

Early December, 2005, their second spawn got to the stage of wigglers.

[lauren0626]

Ten days later, their third try. This time they got free-swimming babies! Soon after the babies became free swimming, all of them were eaten by other discus in the tank.
It seems to me that the mommy is the one who takes the most care of the babies.

[lauren0626]

More fry pictures. Mommy looks very nervious.

[Greg Richardson]

As AADiscus said get that heater down.
Besides wc's another reason is when they go free swimming u can lower the water level down to where it's just above their back for faster attachment.

That way they are eating the good stuff sooner.

Enjoy!

[lauren0626]

Their forth spawn happened when we were away for the holiday. When we came back from our 8-day vacation, there were still fry in a corner of the tank. Sorry, no picture for this batch.
If they are going to spawn again, it will be the fifth batch of babies! Let's cross our fingers and wait... Wish me good luck!
Question 1: How long does it usually take for a pair to resume breeding cycle after being moved to another tank?

[lauren0626]

Your tank looks like a good set-up. I would move your heater down close to the bottom of the tank. When you get fry you'll be doing lots of big water changes and you don't want that heater exposed.

Are you using RO water? What parameters are you shooting for?

Thanks Angela!
I will move the heater down tonight.
I'm not using RO water right now. I'm using untreated tap water, and the parameters are:
Temp: 88F
P.H.: 6.4
Hardness: 100ppm-120ppm
Nitrite: 0
Chloramines: 0
Currently doing 25% water change everyday.
Feeding: CBW, FBW, FBS, FMS, Jack Wattley Discus Formula (beefheart,) color bites and flakes (occasionally.)

[lauren0626]

As AADiscus said get that heater down.
Besides wc's another reason is when they go free swimming u can lower the water level down to where it's just above their back for faster attachment.

That way they are eating the good stuff sooner.

Enjoy!

Got ya! Thanks!
Question 2: How long should I keep the water level down? Should I fill the water after the fry is attached?