ChicagoDiscus.com     Cafepress Store

Results 1 to 15 of 15

Thread: Discus Fatality!

  1. #1
    Registered Member Seastep's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Ohio
    Posts
    46

    Default Discus Fatality!

    Hey Everybody -

    A bit of bad news this morning. When I got up and around this morning, I turned on my tank lights and went through what I call the "morning count."

    Unfortunately, my 55 Gallon tank holding my challenge fish came up one short. After spending a couple of minutes looking for a body (and recounting!) I came to the conclusion that somehow one of my guys had made a break for it. A quick search of the area confirmed it. It must have been one hell of a jump, the poor guy deserved to live with moves like that.

    As near as I can figure, he jumped out the back of the tank going out the 1.5" gap at the back of my hood.... He then must have bounced off the back wall and ricocheted into my waste water bucket. Unfortunately, the bucket was bone dry, so he never stood a chance.

    I'm ordering a glass canopy to replace the plastic hood cover I have on that tank. That will elimate the rear gap.

    Anyway here's some pictures of the survivors. (As an aside, I'm having a terrible time gettting good photos. Any tips?) You'll notice the really nice turqoise markings along the anal fins....
    Attached Images Attached Images

  2. #2
    Registered Member phidelt85's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Choctaw, OK
    Posts
    1,358

    Default Re: Discus Fatality!

    That really sucks on the loss! Glad you're getting a new top for it to eliminate that problem. How are the rest of the guys acting for ya?

    In regards to the pics, if your camera has a macro function, make sure it's turned on. I end up taking any where from 60-100 shots to get good ones. I have a sony 5.1 MP cybershot and what I do is once I have focused on the fish I may have to move the camera with him to get a clear shot as he's moving. If they're standing still then no biggy; take several shots at a time 'cause the one you thought was a good one may be a bit out of focus. Good luck and glad to finally see a pic or two of yours.
    ________________
    Jose

  3. #3
    Registered Member Seastep's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Ohio
    Posts
    46

    Default Re: Discus Fatality!

    You know the crazy thing?? We have the same Sony camera! Now how on earth on your pictures so good and mine so darn bad?!?!?!

    How do I do that macro thingy you mentioned?

  4. #4
    Registered Member pcsb23's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    Devon, UK
    Posts
    8,656

    Default Re: Discus Fatality!

    That's real bad luck, hope that's your bad luck done with now.
    Paul

    Comfortably numb.

  5. #5
    Registered Member Wahter's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2002
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    2,793
    Real Name
    Walter

    Default Re: Discus Fatality!

    Sorry to hear about the fish that jumped out. I've had Siamese Algae Eaters, Farlowellas, and even a Gold Nugget Pl*co jump out on various occasions.

    I posted some tips for taking photos here:
    http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?t=59339

    Hope that helps,


    Walter
    Walter

  6. #6
    Registered Member renae's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    victoria
    Posts
    220

    Default Re: Discus Fatality!

    Sorry about the loss,they look like they are doing well and have grown,nice colouring too.

  7. #7
    Registered Member phidelt85's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Choctaw, OK
    Posts
    1,358

    Default Re: Discus Fatality!

    Quote Originally Posted by Seastep View Post
    You know the crazy thing?? We have the same Sony camera! Now how on earth on your pictures so good and mine so darn bad?!?!?!

    How do I do that macro thingy you mentioned?
    I don't have the camera in front of me, so from recollection, there's a button near the LCD with a picture of a flower. push it until you see the flower on the bottom left of the LCD. You'll be in the macro mode then. You just got to hold the camera very still and be still and take lots of pics. Like I said I sometimes follow the fish with the button half pushed down (already focused) and take the shot while they're swimming.
    ________________
    Jose

  8. #8
    Registered Member phidelt85's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Choctaw, OK
    Posts
    1,358

    Default Re: Discus Fatality!

    Oh, and don't zoom all the way in; once you get into the digital zoom part of the zoom bar the picture goes to crap; just try getting close to the tank. I sometimes have the camera right against it or just off the glass.
    Last edited by phidelt85; 01-19-2008 at 12:02 AM.
    ________________
    Jose

  9. #9
    Registered Member Condor's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    Columbus, OH
    Posts
    1,066

    Default Re: Discus Fatality!

    Hi Scott, sorry to hear about the loss. I can relate I am curious to hear about your program. How much you feed, how many water changes you do/how often you vacuum, what kinds of foods do you feed, etc... They look like they are doing well.

    Adrian
    Phillipians 4:4-7

  10. #10
    Registered Member phidelt85's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Choctaw, OK
    Posts
    1,358

    Default Re: Discus Fatality!

    Quote Originally Posted by Condor View Post
    Hi Scott, sorry to hear about the loss. I can relate I am curious to hear about your program. How much you feed, how many water changes you do/how often you vacuum, what kinds of foods do you feed, etc... They look like they are doing well.

    Adrian

    Yea, spill the beans, they are looking good! How big are they on average?
    ________________
    Jose

  11. #11
    Registered Member GrillMaster's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    Groton, CT
    Posts
    2,283

    Default Re: Discus Fatality!

    Sorry to hear about the jumper!

    Looks like your fish are doin quite well though! Keep up the good work.

    tc
    Mark
    Mark

  12. #12
    Registered Member BSW's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Salt Lake City, Utah U.S.A.
    Posts
    386

    Default Re: Discus Fatality!

    That's a real bummer !
    Sorry to hear it. I had one try to commit suicide too, luckily I was there to catch it, and changed the hood immediately. They can definitely be jumpers.
    The remaining are looking really good though.
    B

  13. #13
    Registered Member Kindredspirit's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Sacramento, Cali ~
    Posts
    10,350

    Default Re: Discus Fatality!

    You could put some suran wrap to cover most of the gap ~ I used to do that for my Goby jumpers.

  14. #14
    Registered Member madfish's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Hooper, Utah
    Posts
    72

    Default Re: Discus Fatality!

    Sorry to hear about your bad luck. There looking great btw I cant want to see them after a few more weeks have gone by. Keep up the good work.
    My fish are eating all of my money

  15. #15
    Registered Member GottaBeKiN's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Location
    Brooklyn, New York
    Posts
    331

    Default Re: Discus Fatality!

    It's a bird, it's a plane, it's Superman! no it's a Discus!!! All joking aside, sorry for the lost. Ductape the gap!
    Kin

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

Cafepress