01-08-2003, 10:11 AM
Hi, My name is Joe Szelesi and I live in Maryland and my business is Enchanted Discus.
In 1972, while serving in the United States Marine Corps, I accompanied a friend on a Discus collecting trip to the Amazon River and her tributaries. Having kept many species of tropical fish since the age of ten, this was intriguing as I have neither seen nor heard of a discus. I was taken aback by the coloration of the magnificent specimens we incurred. My friend had funded my way and I was there to help him with his quarry. I did not collect any for myself as I was still enlisted in the USMC.
In 1973, I was honorably discharged at the rank of Seargent and could not get the discus out of my mind. My friend had moved and I looked him up to find he had just received a shipment from Manaus of some outstanding Browns. Again I was not settled down anywhere, but knew some day i would have to have some discus.
In 1976, I got married to Ellen. My friend handed me a card with a picture of two adult wild brown discus in it. I was puzzled, then overjoyed as he said they were to be our wedding gift.
Despite not knowing much about their requirements--I kept them alive for 5 years. I was officially hooked and certifiablly crazy over discus. My obsession increased and all signs of sanity were long gone. " Discus Fever" had struck! By 1980, my discus were breeding prolifically and giving away the fry while keeping future stock. The costs of my hobbie were now astronomical without compensation. My wife said that my new -found friends should have no problem assisting with the mounting utility bills and purchasinof tanks as I now had over 200 discus that were my pets!
In September of 2000, at my wife's urging, I decided it was time to try making some money to better afford the insanity. I went to Duisburg as a spectator and there I met my exporter--Mr. Tan Chee Lok. I was blown away by the various discus he had on display and in the competition. I decided I wanted to be his exclusive US Distributor .
January 2001, Enchanted Discus was spawned. Future goals are to build a new house and 3.000 sq.ft. hatchery on 4 1/4 acres.for completion in 2004. I believe the state of the discus hobby is increasing through the dissemination of information in the hobby. I believe we have not yet fully seen the full potential of the King of the Aquarium. The future 's so bright--I have to wear shades! Joe ;)
In 1972, while serving in the United States Marine Corps, I accompanied a friend on a Discus collecting trip to the Amazon River and her tributaries. Having kept many species of tropical fish since the age of ten, this was intriguing as I have neither seen nor heard of a discus. I was taken aback by the coloration of the magnificent specimens we incurred. My friend had funded my way and I was there to help him with his quarry. I did not collect any for myself as I was still enlisted in the USMC.
In 1973, I was honorably discharged at the rank of Seargent and could not get the discus out of my mind. My friend had moved and I looked him up to find he had just received a shipment from Manaus of some outstanding Browns. Again I was not settled down anywhere, but knew some day i would have to have some discus.
In 1976, I got married to Ellen. My friend handed me a card with a picture of two adult wild brown discus in it. I was puzzled, then overjoyed as he said they were to be our wedding gift.
Despite not knowing much about their requirements--I kept them alive for 5 years. I was officially hooked and certifiablly crazy over discus. My obsession increased and all signs of sanity were long gone. " Discus Fever" had struck! By 1980, my discus were breeding prolifically and giving away the fry while keeping future stock. The costs of my hobbie were now astronomical without compensation. My wife said that my new -found friends should have no problem assisting with the mounting utility bills and purchasinof tanks as I now had over 200 discus that were my pets!
In September of 2000, at my wife's urging, I decided it was time to try making some money to better afford the insanity. I went to Duisburg as a spectator and there I met my exporter--Mr. Tan Chee Lok. I was blown away by the various discus he had on display and in the competition. I decided I wanted to be his exclusive US Distributor .
January 2001, Enchanted Discus was spawned. Future goals are to build a new house and 3.000 sq.ft. hatchery on 4 1/4 acres.for completion in 2004. I believe the state of the discus hobby is increasing through the dissemination of information in the hobby. I believe we have not yet fully seen the full potential of the King of the Aquarium. The future 's so bright--I have to wear shades! Joe ;)