Nigel
11-12-2002, 10:57 PM
Hi Guys,
Recently I sent an email to the produces of Aqualog informing them of my humble opinion on the two products released by them on Discus. The following is a copy of my messages and their reply for your information as I had provided the Simply Discus Web Site as an example.
Best regards,
Nigel
-------------My Fist Email----------
Dear Sir,
I have purchased both books on Discus which Aqualog has put out. I am sorry
to say that I found the cataloging of fish to be rather generalized. It
didn't give enough information on how to differentiate between the various
colors of the strains and stuck to the top groups (example: the wild and the
tank bred varieties at the upper levels). It didn't go into great details
regarding the new strains that have immerged, nor did it attempt to name
them but simply classed them as "Open Class".
Needless to say It was saddening to note that I could get more information
off the Internet than from your book.
With regard to the book on breeding Discus, I found that also just too
simple. Everything under the sun was discussed (such as RO Water, Filters,
etc) with the exception of the actual techniques required to breed these
fish. Artificial breeding which is an essential part of breeding Discus was
not covered at all.
I am sending you the above information so that you may use the above as
useful criticism when next making an aqualog production on Discus.
Best regards,
Nigel
----------Aqualog Reply-------------
Dear Nigel,
Thank you for your comments. Please keep in mind that this reference
book has not been written for professional breeders, but for the discus
lovers and for trade (import/export). The Special is written for
hobbyist who might consider to start with discus.
Concerning the Open Class: in general we have included fish that cannot
be bred pure line (al least not at the time of finishing the book).
Reliable breeding schedules are usually still not available, although of
course many rumours and stories are present. This is what you will find
in the Internet. The Author, Manfred Göbel, is surely one of the most
intimate specialist in the discus scene and he does not want to link his
reputation to rumours and stories.
Göbel in general does not support artificial breeding for hobby
aquarists. For the hobby, the study of the fish behaviour, including
natural reproductions, is the interesting part of the hobby. And we,
from Aqualog, fully support him in this point of view. Of course we
realise that for commercial breeders the situation in different,
however, that is not the most important audiance for our books.
Of course we regret that you are not fully satisfied with the two books.
Try, however, to realise that you will not easily find other books which
can offer so much basic knowledge on discus, than our two books.
With kind regards,
Alex
-----Ursprüngliche Nachricht-----
Von: NIGEL [mailto:lumbini@eureka.lk]
Gesendet: Montag, 11. November 2002 02:38
An: Aqualog
Betreff: Aqualog Info November 2002
Wichtigkeit: Hoch
----------My Reply-------------
Hi Alex,
Thanks for the reply. I do understand the point that you are making with
regard to the content of the books. After all aqualog decides what needs to
be included in the books aqualog produces. You make a valid point when you
say that there are not many books out there that provide adequate
information on the breeding and raising of Discus.
However, that should be reason enough to cover such ground breaking areas.
"Rumors" as they say Alex are now fact, not fiction. Breeding schedules can
be mapped to a computer program now as they work like clock work once you
have all necessary conditions satisfied. My fish breed to a predictable
routine and the eggs hatch in a predictable time. Free swimming can be also
calculated by this as well as when to feed brine shrimp, when to separate ,
etc.
Artificial breeding is being done by not only commercial hatcheries but also
hobbyists all over the world. There are instances when this technique is
absolutely required, especially when the parents are avid egg eaters. The
only option is to do the artificial practice to carry on the strain of a new
variety that you may have stumbled upon.
The data is all there Alex, I am surprised that no one wants to take
advantage of it.
Please check this site out. You will find information that actually works.
These guys are genuine and work hard to keep the Discus hobby what it is
today. Their techniques are sound and a lot of people can learn and benefit
from their experience and knowledge. You might even be able to get all your
data for a new book from here.
http://www.simplydiscus.com
Wishing you the best,
Nigel.
Recently I sent an email to the produces of Aqualog informing them of my humble opinion on the two products released by them on Discus. The following is a copy of my messages and their reply for your information as I had provided the Simply Discus Web Site as an example.
Best regards,
Nigel
-------------My Fist Email----------
Dear Sir,
I have purchased both books on Discus which Aqualog has put out. I am sorry
to say that I found the cataloging of fish to be rather generalized. It
didn't give enough information on how to differentiate between the various
colors of the strains and stuck to the top groups (example: the wild and the
tank bred varieties at the upper levels). It didn't go into great details
regarding the new strains that have immerged, nor did it attempt to name
them but simply classed them as "Open Class".
Needless to say It was saddening to note that I could get more information
off the Internet than from your book.
With regard to the book on breeding Discus, I found that also just too
simple. Everything under the sun was discussed (such as RO Water, Filters,
etc) with the exception of the actual techniques required to breed these
fish. Artificial breeding which is an essential part of breeding Discus was
not covered at all.
I am sending you the above information so that you may use the above as
useful criticism when next making an aqualog production on Discus.
Best regards,
Nigel
----------Aqualog Reply-------------
Dear Nigel,
Thank you for your comments. Please keep in mind that this reference
book has not been written for professional breeders, but for the discus
lovers and for trade (import/export). The Special is written for
hobbyist who might consider to start with discus.
Concerning the Open Class: in general we have included fish that cannot
be bred pure line (al least not at the time of finishing the book).
Reliable breeding schedules are usually still not available, although of
course many rumours and stories are present. This is what you will find
in the Internet. The Author, Manfred Göbel, is surely one of the most
intimate specialist in the discus scene and he does not want to link his
reputation to rumours and stories.
Göbel in general does not support artificial breeding for hobby
aquarists. For the hobby, the study of the fish behaviour, including
natural reproductions, is the interesting part of the hobby. And we,
from Aqualog, fully support him in this point of view. Of course we
realise that for commercial breeders the situation in different,
however, that is not the most important audiance for our books.
Of course we regret that you are not fully satisfied with the two books.
Try, however, to realise that you will not easily find other books which
can offer so much basic knowledge on discus, than our two books.
With kind regards,
Alex
-----Ursprüngliche Nachricht-----
Von: NIGEL [mailto:lumbini@eureka.lk]
Gesendet: Montag, 11. November 2002 02:38
An: Aqualog
Betreff: Aqualog Info November 2002
Wichtigkeit: Hoch
----------My Reply-------------
Hi Alex,
Thanks for the reply. I do understand the point that you are making with
regard to the content of the books. After all aqualog decides what needs to
be included in the books aqualog produces. You make a valid point when you
say that there are not many books out there that provide adequate
information on the breeding and raising of Discus.
However, that should be reason enough to cover such ground breaking areas.
"Rumors" as they say Alex are now fact, not fiction. Breeding schedules can
be mapped to a computer program now as they work like clock work once you
have all necessary conditions satisfied. My fish breed to a predictable
routine and the eggs hatch in a predictable time. Free swimming can be also
calculated by this as well as when to feed brine shrimp, when to separate ,
etc.
Artificial breeding is being done by not only commercial hatcheries but also
hobbyists all over the world. There are instances when this technique is
absolutely required, especially when the parents are avid egg eaters. The
only option is to do the artificial practice to carry on the strain of a new
variety that you may have stumbled upon.
The data is all there Alex, I am surprised that no one wants to take
advantage of it.
Please check this site out. You will find information that actually works.
These guys are genuine and work hard to keep the Discus hobby what it is
today. Their techniques are sound and a lot of people can learn and benefit
from their experience and knowledge. You might even be able to get all your
data for a new book from here.
http://www.simplydiscus.com
Wishing you the best,
Nigel.