Mixing Kenny's and Hans Discus

[mike046]

Hey everyone I recently sold some discus I had and now I have nothing in my tank I emptied the tank and used the seeded sponges I had to cycle the new water...so my question is there are some Discus that both Kenny and Hans have I was planning to order from both and have them arrive the same day and introduce them all together maybe a total of 4 of each in a 125gl...is it safe to do so??? Or just stay with one, I read somewhere that it's not safe to mix discus from Asia with German ones.

[Altum Nut]

The rule is never mix from differents sources at the same time. Introduce one source and QT the other.
As for your previously seeded sponges...the benifical bacteria will die off if not fed. Chances are you will have to cycle again before adding fish.
Asian and German can be very happy together.

...Ralph

[DiscusDrew]

You tell Hans about this idea and he will let you know his opinion real quick haha.... Point is that us no longer a true QT like it would be from a single source.... Its all a matter of the risk you want to take my friend...

[mike046]

Thanks guys....will consider that greatly

[DiscusDrew]

It would essentially be the same as taking your new discus and putting it in with old stock. Those are both solid importers don't get me wrong, you just never know what pathogens exist that can be transferred even if the fish seem perfectly happy it could just be because their own individual immune systems keep the pathogens in check. Doesn't mean that a Stendker's immune system can take the pathogens from the Asian fish out visa versa. Best to QT separately then combine (but shh don't tell Hans when you combine them if you choose to do so... )

[mike046]

LoL...I won't Thanks Bud

[Bud Smith]

Based upon my experience - discus from one source per tank - I have had no further problems

[YSS]

If you are going to have issues when mixing fish from two different sources, you will have issues whether you QT one group or put them all together at once. I have mixed fish from various sources with no issues, but others have.

[DiscusDrew]

Like I said, all a matter of the risk level you are willing to accept. Theres no guarantee you will have problems, theres just no guarantee that you wont have problems either. I mixed two sources about three shipments ago and hell took over, everybody lived, but I fought long and hard to keep them around. At this point I will no longer do that, and in my case they were both Asian, so it wasnt a matter of German vs Asian, its simply different sources period. There are plenty that have mixed sources or not quarantined and not had a single issue!!... There are also plenty that have had problems because of the same action.

[kent1963]

If you are going to have issues when mixing fish from two different sources, you will have issues whether you QT one group or put them all together at once. I have mixed fish from various sources with no issues, but others have.

+1 I trust both of these sources. Any possible pathogens that one or the other group is tolerant of will still be there after QT. They after all will be QT'ed with others from the same source, I would simply make sure to closely observe them and be ready to take action if necessary.

[Discus-Hans]

(but shh don't tell Hans when you combine them if you choose to do so... )

I saw that lol lol lol You know, it's all been said, you take some risks, I know a lot of people keep Kenny's (good guy, good fish) and our Stendkers together with out any problems.

[DonMD]

You know, I was wondering that very thing, about mixing Asian and German fish. So I asked Stendker in Germany. Here's their reply:

Dear Don,

many thanks for your kind email and your inquiry!
The colour strains you are asking for are typical for Asian discus. We
do not intend to breed white or yellow discus in the future. We would
have to breed with discus fish from Asia and this is a much too high
risk for all discus fish in our hatchery!

Please keep in mind that you should not mix discus fish from different
breeders. We understood that you already have some Stendker discus fish,
so if you are keen on these new strains from Kenny we recommend you to
work with a complete new tank and separate filters, nets, .... so that
all fish stay healthy!

Kind regards,

Sandra & Bastian
--
Diskuszucht Stendker GmbH & CoKG
Am Holzbach 18
48231 Warendorf
Tel. 02581 60627
Fax 02581 633205
www.diskuszucht-stendker.de

[RiceEggsandSpam]

I get my discus from 2 different sources and I keep them in different tanks until they are about 4 inches then I acclimate them to my 180 gal. Have not ran into any problems doing it that way.

[YSS]

You know, I was wondering that very thing, about mixing Asian and German fish. So I asked Stendker in Germany. Here's their reply:

Dear Don,

many thanks for your kind email and your inquiry!
The colour strains you are asking for are typical for Asian discus. We
do not intend to breed white or yellow discus in the future. We would
have to breed with discus fish from Asia and this is a much too high
risk for all discus fish in our hatchery!

Please keep in mind that you should not mix discus fish from different
breeders. We understood that you already have some Stendker discus fish,
so if you are keen on these new strains from Kenny we recommend you to
work with a complete new tank and separate filters, nets, .... so that
all fish stay healthy!

Kind regards,

Sandra & Bastian
--
Diskuszucht Stendker GmbH & CoKG
Am Holzbach 18
48231 Warendorf
Tel. 02581 60627
Fax 02581 633205
www.diskuszucht-stendker.de

This response reminds me of a response you get from a doctor.

"Hey Doc, I kinda feel like I am coming down with a cold. Don't feel all that well, my throat feels like it's getting sore, and I started coughing. What should I do? "

"You should go to ER and get a full exam to make sure you don't have a cancer."

[TonyAPBTx]

I have both Kenny's and Hans's fish together in my 180 gallon.

I have not had any issues.

However, that doesn't mean there aren't risks associated with it but its been great for me.