Jeffery_Doty
11-21-2002, 01:33 AM
Hello Everyone!
Yes, it can be done! Discus myths are meant to be broken, and I am here to tell you that I know 1st hand it can be done. So, if it has ever crossed your mind, what are you waiting for!?
1st of all, the reason I attempted this, was because I had a pair, or what I thought was a pair, of wild Alenquer discus. They showed no inclination to spawn in a bare bottom 29 gallon tank, regardless of how many tips and tricks I tried. My good friend, Yvan Alleau, had a planted 75 with a wild blue face Heckel, and wild Alenquer spawning in it, and I thought, hey, maybe that would work for me! So here is what I did.
I used a 80 gallon tank, 48x18x22, and used a 1/2 sand, 1/2 flourite mixture for the substrate. I then added 2 big pieces of rootwood, one at each end. I put plants in that I knew would do well, like a large sword, some anubias, java fern, and java moss, and giant hygro. I also put in 12 cardinal tetras, 3 cory cats, and a pair of rams. I added another pair of discus for a few weeks, to condition the tank, and also to see if they would spawn in this set up. The wild Alenquer pair was added about a month later after I could not get the 1st pair to spawn.
After adding the Alenquer pair, each pair of discus took over one side of the tank, and after about 4-5 days, the Alenquers spawned! The eggs lasted a day, and then were gone. Another couple days, and the original pair spawned at the other end. This went on for a total of 3 spawns, and then the Alenquers raised their 1st, and so far only spawn. I pulled the other pair when the Alenquer fry were free swimming, but left the tetras, rams and corys. About 40-45 babies survived and are growing out in a separate tank now.
Since the Alenquers are not currently spawning, I am considering putting a 2nd pair in the tank to see if they need the "threat" of other large discus to stimulate their spawning instincts. Or, maybe it was a one time thing, or they are just taking a break. I am having fun experimenting, and I am learning a whole bunch!
Regardless of what happens, there is nothing that beats the beauty of a pair of discus in a planted tank. And, if they happen to spawn, it is just that much sweeter!
Please let me know if you have any questions. I will be happy to help you!
Jeff
Oregon
Yes, it can be done! Discus myths are meant to be broken, and I am here to tell you that I know 1st hand it can be done. So, if it has ever crossed your mind, what are you waiting for!?
1st of all, the reason I attempted this, was because I had a pair, or what I thought was a pair, of wild Alenquer discus. They showed no inclination to spawn in a bare bottom 29 gallon tank, regardless of how many tips and tricks I tried. My good friend, Yvan Alleau, had a planted 75 with a wild blue face Heckel, and wild Alenquer spawning in it, and I thought, hey, maybe that would work for me! So here is what I did.
I used a 80 gallon tank, 48x18x22, and used a 1/2 sand, 1/2 flourite mixture for the substrate. I then added 2 big pieces of rootwood, one at each end. I put plants in that I knew would do well, like a large sword, some anubias, java fern, and java moss, and giant hygro. I also put in 12 cardinal tetras, 3 cory cats, and a pair of rams. I added another pair of discus for a few weeks, to condition the tank, and also to see if they would spawn in this set up. The wild Alenquer pair was added about a month later after I could not get the 1st pair to spawn.
After adding the Alenquer pair, each pair of discus took over one side of the tank, and after about 4-5 days, the Alenquers spawned! The eggs lasted a day, and then were gone. Another couple days, and the original pair spawned at the other end. This went on for a total of 3 spawns, and then the Alenquers raised their 1st, and so far only spawn. I pulled the other pair when the Alenquer fry were free swimming, but left the tetras, rams and corys. About 40-45 babies survived and are growing out in a separate tank now.
Since the Alenquers are not currently spawning, I am considering putting a 2nd pair in the tank to see if they need the "threat" of other large discus to stimulate their spawning instincts. Or, maybe it was a one time thing, or they are just taking a break. I am having fun experimenting, and I am learning a whole bunch!
Regardless of what happens, there is nothing that beats the beauty of a pair of discus in a planted tank. And, if they happen to spawn, it is just that much sweeter!
Please let me know if you have any questions. I will be happy to help you!
Jeff
Oregon