What Sort of Discus is This?

[zoe]

I ordered from a breeder online. It was labeled a 3-4" Discus and called a "Super Red Melon."

What I got was this one here:

http://app.onlinephotofiler.com/images/A_7/4/6/1/41647/IMG_0001_1f754.Large.jpg?v=f68b


It is at least 3 inches. I know I shouldn't expect it to look like the picture on the web, but it doesn't seem quite right to me. Is it way off? The guy said it had some "striations" but would color up soon... But it's barely red - far from super red....

[seanyuki]

It could be Marlboro Red and may have patterns in the body.

[zoe]

In any case is it fair to say that these are not the same fish? Or should I accept this as normal:

Fish I Got
http://app.onlinephotofiler.com/images/A_7/4/6/1/41647/IMG_0001_1f754.Large.jpg?v=f68b

Breeder's Picture
http://www.rfidiscus.com/inventory_pictures/solid-discus-fish/super-red-melon-discus-solid.jpg

[Amazonbeauties]

it looks like a pidgeon blood to me

[rickztahone]

it's a pigeon blood for sure but i'm not sure if it's a red melon. Francis' guess might be better. did both parents look the same? maybe it's a throwback or it is showing the pattern of a recessive strain? it still has some potential but i highly doubt it will ever be a solid red color.

[rickztahone]

almost looks like there might be some checkerboard going on in the pattern.

[bs6749]

It's definitely not a red melon but it is a PB strain as already mentioned. I would have guessed possibly Marlboro Red as well.

[poconogal]

Definitely not a Super Red Melon. If you ordered a Super RM and received what you showed in your pic, then they shipped you the wrong Discus! Can you tell us where you ordered it from?

[Armandi_Fishcarer]

Zoe,
In any case is it fair to say that these are not the same fish? Or should I accept this as normal:Yes & No too the second ?.
For starters it doesn't look like the pic the breeder displayed. It does look like a pigeon blood. The checkerboard features if the fish is young may display a little more although doesn't look like it will fill out. With good w/c's & a lighter substrate & background the peppering will be reduced although won't fully disappear.

Regards
Ahmed ;)

[Scribbles]

I'm thinking Marlboro Red crossed with PB.

Chris

[jeep]

If it's from those parents then it's a throwback and you should ask for your money back :)

[plumvalley]

What you got is a very dirty PB Checkerboard. It won't change much as it get's older. I would have culled it, gave it away or sold it to the LFS cheap!
Assuming those are the parents (I believe not)and you wanted the fish to resemble them, (reason you bought) I would ask for your money back.
Bruce

[DLock3d]

I'm not an expert but I don't think that's even close to a red melon much less a SRM. Ask for your money back. Next time order from a sponsor on here where there's some accountability. I've heard very few if any bad things about the sponsors here.

[kaceyo]

A red melon is a solid red fish. A super red melon is a solid red fish with very little to no peppering. They charge more $ for the "Super". That fish doesn't come close to either trait and never will.

Kacey

[poconogal]

What you got is a very dirty PB Checkerboard. It won't change much as it get's older. I would have culled it, gave it away or sold it to the LFS cheap!
Assuming those are the parents (I believe not)and you wanted the fish to resemble them, (reason you bought) I would ask for your money back.
Bruce
To be fair, Zoe has the fish in a tank with black substrate and dark background, which will make it pepper up a lot. I have a Super RM which, when purchased, was nice and clean, and when I tried her with black/black, she peppered up too, quite a bit.

[Don Trinko]

IMO; No offence but with any color background or gravel this is not a red melon.
I understand your reluctance to tell us where you bought it but... It might straighten out the dealer who sold it to you and it would help others who want a "red melon" know where not to buy one. Don T.

[bs6749]

The discus came from Rainforest Farms International. A quick click on the "Properties" button of the breeding pair picture told me so. Going to their website and scrolling down the list of solid discus, I came to a familiar picture. http://www.rfidiscus.com/inventory_pictures/solid-discus-fish/super-red-melon-discus-solid.html

Doing a quick search in the "Livestock and Product Reviews" on this forum lead me to this thread about RFI: http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?t=57124

Seems like they have been sending people, including one of Simply's very own Sponsors, the wrong fish or sick fish for years.

[silent_thunder]

To be fair, Zoe has the fish in a tank with black substrate and dark background, which will make it pepper up a lot. I have a Super RM which, when purchased, was nice and clean, and when I tried her with black/black, she peppered up too, quite a bit.


So much for black...

dangitttttttttttttttttt

[Peachtree Discus]

It's a fauxium advertisius!! i agree that it could be a throw-back, but the seller should have told you.


So much for black...

a number of strains will pepper up, but not ALL discus look bad with black/dark substrate. some turks look nice with a darker substrate.

[poconogal]

So much for black...

dangitttttttttttttttttt
Now Daniel... I thought you were going for blue? Anyway, any of the albinos will look gorgeous with black, as will other types. Just no PBs or any with PB blood in them!

Um, I'm still waiting... tank, boots, casino?????

[silent_thunder]

Now Daniel... I thought you were going for blue? Anyway, any of the albinos will look gorgeous with black, as will other types. Just no PBs or any with PB blood in them!

Um, I'm still waiting... tank, boots, casino?????

Ahhhh well NO botts -L- since I cant get a pair of jeans on no biggie...NO casino...when your lucky your lucky when your not I leave broke...

ALl the tanks I looked at had stands made of fiberboard...they LOOK great but over the yeras I am not sure sooooooo

I bought 2 55`s...I KNOW I KNOW what you told me...I have another 55 I am working on...thats gonna be 14 tanks -L-

I firgure I can do real well with 4 discus each in the 55`s...if NOT well I will have had enough and pop for the 125`s....

Its just getting them up and running asap as I have some discus I want from a sponser here...

THanks for the help, though...as always...

D

[poconogal]

You can do well with up to 6 Discus in a 55, no problem. 5 or 6 actually is a better number than 4 due to aggression.

[silent_thunder]

You can do well with up to 6 Discus in a 55, no problem. 5 or 6 actually is a better number than 4 due to aggression.

5 or 6 huh....thanks I imagine it will be 6 LOL...that would make 18 and then theres a few other tanks that will hold some...

SOmeone wanna loan me some money? hahah

D

[Eddie]

5 or 6 huh....thanks I imagine it will be 6 LOL...that would make 18 and then theres a few other tanks that will hold some...

SOmeone wanna loan me some money? hahah

D

Just sell your boots! :D

Eddie

[seanyuki]

Hi daniel,

You gonna have 14 tanks.....that's a lot of water changes & how are you gonna manage them daily:confused:....I have only a few tanks and takes hours to do water changes

[poconogal]

Just sell your boots! :D

Eddie
ROFLMAO!

[silent_thunder]

Hi daniel,

You gonna have 14 tanks.....that's a lot of water changes & how are you gonna manage them daily:confused:....I have only a few tanks and takes hours to do water changes

Only six of 7 are for discus...The others are just tropical tanks...with fish that I am fond of...and like you I seldom have much time in the evenings!

I HEARD that Eddie =L= and that ain`t ever gonna happen..<g>

Peace

D

[Eddie]

Only six of 7 are for discus...The others are just tropical tanks...with fish that I am fond of...and like you I seldom have much time in the evenings!

I HEARD that Eddie =L= and that ain`t ever gonna happen..<g>

Peace

D

Hey....at least you have the option. :D

Take care Daniel,


Eddie

[zoe]

The discus came from Rainforest Farms International. A quick click on the "Properties" button of the breeding pair picture told me so. Going to their website and scrolling down the list of solid discus, I came to a familiar picture. http://www.rfidiscus.com/inventory_pictures/solid-discus-fish/super-red-melon-discus-solid.html

Doing a quick search in the "Livestock and Product Reviews" on this forum lead me to this thread about RFI: http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?t=57124

Seems like they have been sending people, including one of Simply's very own Sponsors, the wrong fish or sick fish for years.

Yes, it was Rainforest Farms International (http://rfdiscus.com). I started out my new hobby ordering from them. I should have looked before I leapt. While I got a few very nice fish from them, overall I have recently learned that I've "been had" at a rate of about 50%. Just yesterday, I ventured out to the other side of my metro area to discover a great LFS that had a fairly wide selection of discus. There I saw a few fish that looked very much like the one I have (pictured at the start of this thread). The tank was labeled "Pigeon Blood." So, now I know... Thanks to all who replied. My only hope is that anyone taking the time to do a little research before buying online will pick up this thread!