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Brian_
03-15-2006, 05:37 PM
What is a normal shape for young discus?

I just got 5 small ones and the tanks that they were in, most of them were shaped like arrowheads but it is a reputable shop so I thought nothing of it. I've owned discus before but never this small, they are about the size of a dollar or to you americans, 1 - 1.5 inch max. A couple of them are starting to round off but they still look kinda pointy.

I will upload some pics in a couple minutes.

EDIT: The pictures make them seem worst but they arn't that bad. In the past, the discus I purchased were already juvies and big enough to tell if they were real arrowheads or not.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v98/neoskillz/IMG_0383_1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v98/neoskillz/IMG_0379_1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v98/neoskillz/IMG_0368_1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v98/neoskillz/IMG_0352_1.jpg

I have 5 pieces, I couldn't take really good pictures but will try to tonight.
1977
03-15-2006, 06:40 PM
Still to early to tell for sure but they do look a little pointy. Just make sure to feed enough and do as many water changes as possible or they will stunt. I'd do 2 changes everyday of 50% until you get them to 3 or 4 inches then cut back, if you want optimal growth!
Brian_
03-15-2006, 07:12 PM
Still to early to tell for sure but they do look a little pointy. Just make sure to feed enough and do as many water changes as possible or they will stunt. I'd do 2 changes everyday of 50% until you get them to 3 or 4 inches then cut back, if you want optimal growth!

Yeah, there are 3 that look like they will grow out of it good, I am unsure about the other 2. I am planning on doing 25% water changes daily as I think the 2x 50% is a bit overkill. Do you feed NLS? I am having them on a NLS Cichlid Formula diet, the pellets are 1mm and I feed frozen bloodworms and brine shrimp. I used to have my discus on a beefheart mix but I find that it pollutes the water a lot quicker, even though I do do daily water changes. I am trying to see how the NLS will effect their colour and growth as I have heard lots of good things about it.
Cosmo
03-15-2006, 11:49 PM
For some reason, my fish would never eat NLS although I know others who swear on it :confused: I've had good luck with Ocean Nutrition flakes and tetra colorbits ... use Hikari frozen foods if you can get them, they are a cut above the other brands I've seen here.

Jim
Brian_
03-16-2006, 01:05 AM
All my fish have taken to the NLS, I just don't know the portions to give them. How much are you guys getting your NLS for? I hear people saying they pay an arm and a leg for them but I paid 15$ for a lb. of the cichlid formula.
whipmark
03-16-2006, 03:16 AM
umm what is NLS?
Brian_
03-16-2006, 10:31 AM
New Life Spectrum...
AADiscus
03-16-2006, 11:53 AM
Brian,

At this point your little guys/girls still need alot of feedings. I would try feeding 5 times a day. If you are not able to do that you could get an automatic feeder to feed thru out the day. At that size it is a little hard to really notice a good roundness unless you are used to looking at them all the time. IMO Just give them plenty of food and of course daily wc's they should be good.

ps....you will notice as they get bigger the roundness to them and not the arrow shape. Any pics of the little ones?
Brian_
03-16-2006, 01:22 PM
The links in my first post are pics of some of them, I am feeding them just about 4-5 times a day right now but once march break is over, I might have to cut down to 3 times a day. I am going to do daily 25% water changes.

I will try and take some better photos soon.