How do my discus look

[Nicole W]

Hi all. I have only had discus for about 2 months
And reading the post on here what do you think of my discus.
Are they any good for breeding and can I breed 2differnt types

[discuspaul]

Welcome to Simply Discus, Nicole.

To be honest Nicole, they look typically like they were purchased at a LFS that didn't know much about discus, or didn't care - in other words they're not very good.
But take heart, we've all seen far worse specimens.

So if you give them the best possible care you can by proving clean conditions overall in your tank, along with lots of fresh water changes, they could be grown out some more and may breed at some point in time.
As for breeding 2 different types (assume you mean strains), you can't always easily affect that - the discus will decide for themselves which fish they want to pair up with. :)

[Nicole W]

I do have 2 more they were the first ones I will see if I can put a photo up no it won't work
E

[Akili]

Welcome to Simply Discus, Nicole.

To be honest Nicole, they look typically like they were purchased at a LFS that didn't know much about discus, or didn't care - in other words they're not very good.
But take heart, we've all seen far worse specimens.

So if you give them the best possible care you can by proving clean conditions overall in your tank, along with lots of fresh water changes, they could be grown out some more and may breed at some point in time.
As for breeding 2 different types (assume you mean strains), you can't always easily affect that - the discus will decide for themselves which fish they want to pair up with. :)+ 1 Paul
Nicole a lot of us on the site respect discuspaul's opinion and honestly and sadly your fish do not look very good. It seems that you have your work cut out for you.

[Nicole W]

I always feel sorry for the sick or lonely fish
That is my down fall
I think I have 2 nice ones but cannot load the pics

[John_Nicholson]

As was stated above they look like low quality stunted LFS fish. Most of the time when the fish get to this shape the outcome is not great. You are a better person than me for even trying. If you ever get some discus from a bettter source it will blow your mind how much better it works. Not sure where you are located but wanted to let you know about the huge NADA show that will be in Chicago this July. You can see some great fish, hear some great speakers, and learn a ton at the show. It is a great time.

-john

[Nicole W]

I did it
How do these guys look

[Nicole W]

Here we go another one

[Nicole W]

I live in Australia

[discuspaul]

Not much better Nicole - sad to say.
But that doesn't mean they're going to die anytime soon - so carry on & best of luck to you. Enjoy your fish.

Should you ever decide to start over with discus - the very proper way - with good quality discus - just let us know here, and we'll guide you on where to get your fish, and how to care for them, so that you can be fully successful keeping them and be proud of it !
As John said, it will blow your mind at how good it can get !

[Nicole W]

I do have a 3 foot tank could I use that and where on
Melbourne Australia can I buy good quality.

[discuspaul]

I'm not well familiar at all with good quality Australian discus suppliers, but I suggest you check out (google) the website for Sydney Discus World Aquariums, who appear to have a good reputation for being quality discus suppliers. I'm quite certain they will airship to Melbourne with a guarantee of live delivery.

[discuspaul]

Here it is:
http://www.sydneydiscusworld.com/

[Nicole W]

I will call my lot the motley crew
When I have the money I will start another tank
And yes I did see the difference in fish the pics were very nice

[Akili]

I will call my lot the motley crew
When I have the money I will start another tank
And yes I did see the difference in fish the pics were very niceNicole, In the meantime go with the trials and tribulations of keeping Discus give your fish a lot of large water changes and varied diet(lots of protein)Also search Gumtree.com for local breeders.There are some good looking Discus for sale
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-melbourne/discus+fish/k0l3001317?fromSearchBox=true

[Nicole W]

Thank you. I will��

[warblad79]

Re: How do my discus look?

Answer: They look awful and the worst condition I've ever seen, no offense just my honest opinion.

[briztoon]

Hi Nicole.

Welcome to Simply Discus.

I'm a relative noob myself still, having owned Discus for almost a year now.

When you find the time, and before you spend anymore money, I highly recommend you watch the following video.
https://youtu.be/VXe3VKh7qF8

There are a couple of LFS that specialise in discus to be found in Australia. However as has been mentioned, most LFS down here sell very poor quality discus for often over inflated prices. Unfortunately good discus cost a fair amount down here, this mainly due to our Import and Quarantine fees/costs that often see fish double in price compared to Europe and the USA.

Discus Specialists.
Melbourne - Acquatico Aquarium - Stock discus from Forrest Teo.
https://www.facebook.com/Aquaticoaquarium/?fref=nf

Sydney - Sydney Discus World Aquariums - Stock discus from Na Discus & Stendker Discus.
http://www.sydneydiscusworld.com/discus/

Gold Coast - Living Reef Aquarium - Stock discus from IP Discus
http://livingreefaquariums.com.au/discus-for-sale/

And there are is also a FB seller called Darren Thomson based on the Gold Coast that sells Forrest Teo discus as well. His page is called Gold Coast Discus and there are a lot of great people on the Page. Hobbyists and local breeders as well.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/483338395134898/

Good luck.

[Nicole W]

Are you MELBOURNE.

[Las Vegas]

I'm not well familiar at all with good quality Australian discus suppliers, but I suggest you check out (google) the website for Sydney Discus World Aquariums, who appear to have a good reputation for being quality discus suppliers. I'm quite certain they will airship to Melbourne with a guarantee of live delivery.

Paul have you ordered from them? I've seen the website and the Discus look fantastic but being half a world away. Is it worth it let alone possible?

[briztoon]

I live in Brisbane, Nicole.

Our population is so spread out, which results in our hobby being very spread out as well. All the places/people I mentioned above will ship discus. It also means there are no dedicated discus clubs in Australia, most people talk on FB on dedicated groups.

[briztoon]

Paul have you ordered from them? I've seen the website and the Discus look fantastic but being half a world away. Is it worth it let alone possible?

It's possible to ship up and down the East Coast of Australia, but not possible to ship overseas.

[discuspaul]

To Las Vegas:
No, it should be obvious to anyone that I haven't ordered from them. I don't believe I need to have done that in order to make a fair assessment of them as likely falling into the category of being a qualified supplier of fully acceptable discus.

Not sure what you're getting at, but please re-read my words - I did say I'm not familiar with good quality Australian discus suppliers, although I was aware there were some purveyors in that country of Forrest discus, well-known in a number of countries (including Canada & the U.S.) to be a breeder and exporter of high quality discus.

So there must be some quality discus vendors in that country, and it seems logical to me that Sydney Discus World Aquariums would be one of them, although I don't know who their supplier, or suppliers, are.

In the case of Sydney Discus World Aquariums, I said," ..... who appear to..." - 'appear' being a key word here. My comments about them were based on all the photos of their fish and their prices that I saw on their website, and the fact they shipped throughout the country & guaranteed live delivery.

Anyone who did that but who did not supply quality discus at the prices they ask for their fish would not obviously last very long in the business - and it seems that they have - testament that they likely sell quality fish. A conclusion that I feel is fair & logical to reach.

[Nicole W]

Thank you. I will do some homework

[Len]

Why not reach out to Rod? He's always willing to share his knowledge here on the forum so I'd only assume he'd provide good follow up support for a paying customer :)

[discuspaul]

Why not reach out to Rod? He's always willing to share his knowledge here on the forum so I'd only assume he'd provide good follow up support for a paying customer :)

Perhaps my mind is a blank, but I can't say I know of the Rod you're referring to Len.

[briztoon]

Rod Lewis. Local discus guru. He used to import discus, I bought my Na Discus discus from Rod.

Probably one of the original or very early members here, member name is Rod.

Unfortunately Rod no longer imports, but hoping to see some quality locally bred discus from him soon.

[HappyFace]

Hi Nicole. I think your discus look like a good starting point. They are colorful and a layperson would look at them and say "oh what pretty fish!" They are not high quality but I'm sure you didn't pay top dollar for them so you can be happy that you got some inexpensive colorful fish to fill your tank. You may want to upgrade to high quality discus at some point because their beauty is incomparable.

[Yoda466]

Hi Nicole. I think your discus look like a good starting point. They are colorful and a layperson would look at them and say "oh what pretty fish!" They are not high quality but I'm sure you didn't pay top dollar for them so you can be happy that you got some inexpensive colorful fish to fill your tank. You may want to upgrade to high quality discus at some point because their beauty is incomparable.

That's a great comment. I think it is valuable to keep some sense of perspective when it comes to these beautiful fish. My first attempt at growing out discus resulted in no fish larger than five inches. I was disappointed because I knew what "good" discus looked like. All of my friends and family raved about my huge, beautiful fish. Perspective.

[rickztahone]

Perhaps my mind is a blank, but I can't say I know of the Rod you're referring to Len.

Rod - Rod :)
http://forum.simplydiscus.com/member.php?4212-Rod

[DISCUS STU]

Without beating a dead horse, or Discus, these are very sickly looking fish. I wish you well if you want to keep Discus but first I suggest that you study up on the basics of selecting and keeping these fish.

Unlike other Cichlids such as their cousins; Angelfish, Oscars, etc. these are fish that require a high level of care and maintenance to survive and thrive. The fish in the third picture is very close to death and displays symptons of having various internal parasites.

[Nicole W]

Thank you all.
I am going to keep them.
I have improved my tank and gone bare bottom.
They are a lot happier and all are still alive and doing well.
I am looking at buying 1 or 2 more but after research I hope i can pick better.
My Husband has always told me if I find something I like I go big.
I should have read up before I started I know now.
But I saw them there and bought them.
Thank you all again for your advice I have taken it all in.

[Akili]

Nicole One more advice, any new additions make sure they go through a full Quarantine procedure
http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?27016-Writing-an-article-on-Quarantine

[HarryDk]

Thank you all.
I am going to keep them.
I have improved my tank and gone bare bottom.
They are a lot happier and all are still alive and doing well.
I am looking at buying 1 or 2 more but after research I hope i can pick better.
My Husband has always told me if I find something I like I go big.
I should have read up before I started I know now.
But I saw them there and bought them.
Thank you all again for your advice I have taken it all in.

Hi Nicole,
I'm in Melbourne too along with a few others in SD.
The best discus you could find in Melbourne right now is Aquatico Aquarium in Maidstone. I've got all of mine from there.
They are Forrest teo's and quality is high.
I live in S.E Melbourne, you are welcome to drop by to have a look at the fish, or I have a few photos on my previous post for your interest.
I start about 10 month ahead of you, I can share some local supplier :P