Interesting to note

[Steve_Warner]

Hi all,
It's interesting to note on this site's comparison of black and white waters

http://www.amazonian-fish.co.uk/indexc3b0.html

that quantities of dissolved Iron, and especially Aluminium, are greater in the black water than the white water. Wonder if it contributes to the vibrant "red-spotted" varieties spots?


Steve

[Ralph]

I was really surprised by the wide variety of water parameters in the different habitats of discus, everything from temps to hardness. Even basic pH can vary from 4.5 to 7.0. Not only that, but there are significant changes in the water over the course of the year due to extreme seasonal rains. It all makes for a very complex situation. Maybe because of that complexity, it has been largely ignored by discus keepers. We treat them as a group that requires the same environment when evidence says the contrary. The only recognition of this is the changes to water parameters for breeding.
Something like the amount of iron in the water would not only affect the discus directly but also their environment and everything they eat. There is definately room for research and the more knowledge we have about these things, the better discus keepers we will be.
I think the RSGs are mainly from white and clear waters with the lower amounts of Fe and Al.