How to tell.....

[swinters66]

I keep reading threads regarding "stunted" discus. How do you know they are stunted? What makes them stunted? Can you tell by looking at them?

More curiousity again.

[t_j]

I have a discus that some body keeps saying that she is stunted because she hasn't really grown much from the time I got her so I'm guessing thats how you can tell, but not sure.

[lhforbes12]

Stephanie,
The easiest way is by looking at the eyes. Stunted discus will have eyes much larger in proportion to their body size. Another way is to look at the coloration, adult color on a 2 1/2"- 3" discus mean only one of two things, stunted or hormoned

[t_j]

Hey Larry,

What if it's a female then could it just be growing vary slowly? I heared about the eye but I couldn't remember if that ment stunted or under fed.

[Squiggy]

Tiff...Under feeding will cause stunting...not to be confused with runting which is a discus that grows slow and is naturally small....A runt will appear to have a normal(ish) sized eye but adult coloring....

Joe

[lhforbes12]

Just as Joe says, but even a runt will get up to 4 1/2 - 5", and will still not show adult coloration when small. Females are not necessarily smaller than males, nor do they grow slower. As adults females may be a little samller but not always. The largest discus I have ever owned was a female.

[Timbo]

yes, the best way is comparitive eye size

<---check my avatar

[pcsb23]

Have a look at this thread, it should help explain things :D

http://forum.simplydiscus.com//discus-university-learning-about-quality-our-hobby/49201-eye-size-explained.html

[AADiscus]

I agree with looking at the eye size.

However, if the fish is stunted due to human part or sickness and has fully recovered it can still breed. The babies will be fine. If it has something to do with genetics then I wouldn't breed it. I know your question has nothing to do with breeding but alot of times people will think if they breed stunted fish the fry will be the same, not true. IME and IMO

[swinters66]

Thanks everyone....at least I know now what people in certain threads are talking about LOL....