High Body Checkerboard Turq spawn

[Diamond Discus]

I bought a group of 6 awesome High Body Checkerboard Turqs from Dan (Gulf Coast Discus) last spring. A few months later my mom died after 13 years of suffering from Alzheimers, the last 4 1/2 in a nursing home needing my daily care. A couple of weeks afterwards I felt like I needed to take a time out from obligations, I was exhausted emotionally and physically. I decided to sell most of my aquariums (all but 2) and all of my Discus. Thankfully my fish went to friends from our local fish club and I can visit them from time to time. The HBCT's were sold to my best fish friend. These Discus were are among the best fish I have ever owned, if not The Best. Finally after months of finishing the grow out and pairing process they had a viable spawn of 80 fry under my friends great care. I have been offered me a batch of these as a gift whenever I am ready to get back into Discus. I am having to think long and hard about taking on the huge job of "grow out", but I think it's safe to say I am getting close to being ready to handle it again. Sometime soon I will be looking into getting a batch of adults from Kenny for my 178 gallon planted tank as well. An aquarium just doesn't look right to me unless it has Discus in it. I'm sure you will all agree.

Here are the turqs in a sequence of their first spawn to this latest successful spawn.

in my care as 4"+ juvies
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k25/DiamondDiscus/Checkerboards/experimentalphotos032.jpg

Their 2nd spawn
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k25/DiamondDiscus/Checkerboards/HBCTsWithWigglers1-1.jpg

Their first successful spawn
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k25/DiamondDiscus/Checkerboards/IMG_3316-1.jpg
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k25/DiamondDiscus/Checkerboards/IMG_3318-1.jpg
fry munching algae from the pot
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k25/DiamondDiscus/Checkerboards/CBFryDay7_1-1.jpg
with Mom
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k25/DiamondDiscus/Checkerboards/MomAndFryDay9_31-1.jpg
moved to their own tank
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k25/DiamondDiscus/Checkerboards/IMG_4341-1.jpg

Thanks Curt for doing such a great job with these beauties. I believe they are going to be 4 weeks old the first of March.

[thebigone]

Those fish look really good. I agree with you 100% now that I have discus a nice tank just don't look good without them. Discus have became my favortie. Good luck to you when you decide to do the "grow outs".

[William Palumbo]

Hi Sue...sorry to hear about your mom. I know how that is. Sometimes our pets are the only ones to cheer us up...fish included. Those are some VERY nice fish!...Congrats on the pair...they look wonderful and I am sure will over-run you shortly with just as wonderful fry...Bill

[brewmaster15]

Hi Sue,
I too am very sad to hear about all you've been through.:( I am glad to hear though that you still are in the hobby here and looking to get back in the saddle......Can't tell you how much solace my discus have given me over the years...They calm me when I am angry and cheer me up when I am sad.;)

When you are ready...get some of those fry and enjoy the hobby again...you deserve it!

Best wishes,
al

[dpt8]

WOW !!! Sue, sorry to hear of your loss. Relax..... then get back into it.. :9) Nice young.. Glad these discus are doing so well and you'll have young to get started back with...
David T

[Eddie]

Hello Sue,

I am sorry to hear the news.

On the other end, it is good to hear that you are thinking of getting back into the hobby. The HBCTs are gorgeous, you did a very nice job with them. The thought of raising young juvies always gets me going, probably my most favorite thing to do. It really gives me a sense of accomplishment when I have successfully raised discus. I think that it would be fun for you and give you alot of satisfaction. I hope that you do take the fish and look forward to hearing about how well they are doing in you care.

All the best,
Eddie

[Diamond Discus]

Those fish look really good. I agree with you 100% now that I have discus a nice tank just don't look good without them. Discus have became my favortie. Good luck to you when you decide to do the "grow outs".

Thanks...I hated to sell them but having them go to a good friend really took the sting out.


Hi Sue...sorry to hear about your mom. I know how that is. Sometimes our pets are the only ones to cheer us up...fish included. Those are some VERY nice fish!...Congrats on the pair...they look wonderful and I am sure will over-run you shortly with just as wonderful fry...Bill
Thanks Bill. They are not my pair now, they are my friend's pair. I totally agree that pets can really cheer us up. They just spawned again yesterday...so you are probably right about being over-run with fry. LOL


Hi Sue,
I too am very sad to hear about all you've been through.:( I am glad to hear though that you still are in the hobby here and looking to get back in the saddle......Can't tell you how much solace my discus have given me over the years...They calm me when I am angry and cheer me up when I am sad.;)

When you are ready...get some of those fry and enjoy the hobby again...you deserve it!

Best wishes,
al

Thanks Al..we all go through those ups and down don't we. I have enjoyed the break from Discus, but it seems like I do spend a lot of time drooling over Kenny's shipments lately. It must be a sign. LOL



WOW !!! Sue, sorry to hear of your loss. Relax..... then get back into it.. :9) Nice young.. Glad these discus are doing so well and you'll have young to get started back with...
David T
Thanks David, I can't believe it's been the better part of a year since Mom died. I really don't think about her too much anymore, and when I do it's a happy memory.

I just saw some pictures today and the babies look great. It will be interesting to see what comes out of them...it almost appeared like there were a few albinos, but time will tell, some are brown and some are orange....too soon to tell at this point. Most have a bar that passes through the eye and most have quite a bit of barring through the body. Natures camouflage...:D

[Scribbles]

Sue,

I'm sorry for your loss. Your mother must have been an incredible woman to raise such a caring daughter. Enjoy the happy memories.

When the time is right get some of the fry from those beautiful discus. Grow 'em big and beautiful and share pictures along the way.

Best wishes

[Darren's Discus]

Sue,
very nice fish,I hope you get back into it,their is nothing more peaceful than sitting in front of a beautiful tank full with discus !:)


cheers

[poconogal]

Hi Sue, I know you've been through a lot and I'm so glad you're feeling more up to handling Discus again! Those in the pics are beauties. And some gorgeous Discus in the fabulous tank your son built... heaven!!!! Hey, also, how's your little Italian Greyhound?

[Diamond Discus]

Sue,

I'm sorry for your loss. Your mother must have been an incredible woman to raise such a caring daughter. Enjoy the happy memories.

When the time is right get some of the fry from those beautiful discus. Grow 'em big and beautiful and share pictures along the way.

Best wishesYou almost made me cry because your post was so sweet. thanks...I appreciate the encouragement.


Sue,
very nice fish,I hope you get back into it,their is nothing more peaceful than sitting in front of a beautiful tank full with discus !:)


cheersI agree. I love to sit and watch a tank full of discus.


Hi Sue, I know you've been through a lot and I'm so glad you're feeling more up to handling Discus again! Those in the pics are beauties. And some gorgeous Discus in the fabulous tank your son built... heaven!!!! Hey, also, how's your little Italian Greyhound?

Thanks Connie. We are leaving friday for a long vacation. That is why I have held off from getting Discus this long. This trip has been planned for 6 months. We will be gone for 30 days. I have a house sitter but she only wants to feed fish, not make water changes. We have rented a house in the Phoenix area and are taking the dogs with us. I just took some pictures of my precious little rescue hound and his little sister yesterday to try out a new camera.
I guess it won't hurt to go off topic a bit and share the pics. LOL

Gino and Ginger (Ginger goes in for a haircut today...I can do before and after shots of her. http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k25/DiamondDiscus/Dogs/IMG_0021.jpg
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k25/DiamondDiscus/Dogs/IMG_0022.jpg
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k25/DiamondDiscus/Dogs/IMG_0023.jpg
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k25/DiamondDiscus/Dogs/IMG_0024.jpg
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k25/DiamondDiscus/Dogs/IMG_0025.jpg
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k25/DiamondDiscus/Dogs/IMG_0026.jpg
fish
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k25/DiamondDiscus/planted%20tanks/IMG_0028.jpg
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k25/DiamondDiscus/planted%20tanks/IMG_0029.jpg
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k25/DiamondDiscus/planted%20tanks/IMG_0037.jpg
macro setting
this one I took from the surface down
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k25/DiamondDiscus/180/IMG_0039.jpg
These two were through a dirty glass
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k25/DiamondDiscus/180/IMG_0043.jpg
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k25/DiamondDiscus/180/IMG_0044.jpg

[Kenny's Discus]

Hi Sue,

Beautiful fish and dogs you got there! I'm so sry to hear about your mom and I can relate to you 100%. I was in your exact same position for 3+ yrs when my mom battled her lung cancer...I'd give ANYTHING to have those days back no matter how emotionally/physically drained they were. I'm glad to know you mom doesn't have to suffer anymore and that she's now in God's good hands. Also very happy to see you back with fish/discus! Btw I used to breed a few German Blue Rams and I really like yours. They look like little fighters and they're never scared of anybody!

Take care and talk with you soon. I did talk with our good friend Stuart the other day and I told him to say "Hi" to you.:)

Thanks for sharing Sue they all look lovely.

Kenny

[Diamond Discus]

Hi Sue,

Beautiful fish and dogs you got there! I'm so sry to hear about your mom and I can relate to you 100%. I was in your exact same position for 3+ yrs when my mom battled her lung cancer...I'd give ANYTHING to have those days back no matter how emotionally/physically drained they were. I'm glad to know you mom doesn't have to suffer anymore and that she's now in God's good hands. Also very happy to see you back with fish/discus! Btw I used to breed a few German Blue Rams and I really like yours. They look like little fighters and they're never scared of anybody!

Take care and talk with you soon. I did talk with our good friend Stuart the other day and I told him to say "Hi" to you.:)

Thanks for sharing Sue they all look lovely.

Kenny

Thanks Kenny. I appreciate you stopping by. Sorry to hear about your mother, but you are right, both of our Mom's are in a better place and now and we still have the happy memories.

Those ornery Rams are the ones I kept from the batch of 110 that I grew out for our fish club this past winter. I've almost always kept rams...you are right, they are feisty little devils with a lot of attitude. I've had them take on Discus and win when they are guarding eggs; and the poor hen pecked Discus was just trying eat his dinner but got just a little too close. :D They are beautiful. Willie Loh delivered them to me from Minnesota last September. A friend of his breeds them. I bought 6 awesome sterbai corydora from Willie as well. That Minnesota water must be pretty good.

Yes, I've been talking with that darn Stuart...he's getting way ahead of me these days. I can't mention what he is doing just yet, he's keeping it a secret from our club members for the time being and calling it his "Project X". I think he let me in on his little secret just to make me green with envy. LOL I haven't been to his place in a while, but I need to get over there and check things out.

I'll be in touch. I'm waiting rather impatiently for the April shipment. ;)

[Condor]

Sue, I am so sorry to hear about your Mom. That is really tough.

Your fish are beautiful, as is your dog. I am glad you will be getting fry from them. I remember when you got them from Dan, they looked great then too and I was a little jealous.:D I love those rams, very nice planted tank. Hope your vacation goes well.:)

Adrian

[Diamond Discus]

Sue, I am so sorry to hear about your Mom. That is really tough.

Your fish are beautiful, as is your dog. I am glad you will be getting fry from them. I remember when you got them from Dan, they looked great then too and I was a little jealous.:D I love those rams, very nice planted tank. Hope your vacation goes well.:)

AdrianThanks so much Adrian. :heart2: