PDA

View Full Version : Are my discus growing properly?


Schergeil
02-14-2010, 08:01 AM
I got my discus last year in September 2009 when they were about 2-2.5 inches, now they are 3.5-4 inches, is this grow rate OK? Or is this too slow with 3-4 feedings a day and a water change every 2-3 days. Considering its been 5 months now....

Thanks!
tdiscusman
02-14-2010, 10:10 AM
IME, discus grow proximately 1" per month up to 4" then their growth rate start slowing down to about 1/4"-1/2" per month. It's also depend on the strain, some grow faster than other. I've, also got mine in october, 2009 around 2.5" and the smallest one are now 4.5" and the largest is 5.5".

Tony
namasgt
02-14-2010, 01:02 PM
we need to know tank size, what kind of food you feed them, and how much of the water do you change?
how many discus you have? what strain?

I think their kind of small for the age.
Schergeil
02-16-2010, 05:44 PM
Feeding them Beefheart, FBS and FBW. Water change is done say about 50-80% every 2-4 days.

How thick should they be by now and how large exactly?
Harriett
02-16-2010, 06:06 PM
You will see better growth if you change your water change schedule. Many do >50% daily water changes, some do 100% daily. Every 2-4 days isn't going to get the best potential from the fish. Ditto namasgt's many inquiries.
I think your growth rate is slow but you are feeding good foods..BH is great protein but a dirty food. You need alot of fresh water to grow them when you feed beefheart.
Best regards,
Harriett
peterhql
02-16-2010, 06:26 PM
To add to the initial question. If they are slow growing, does that affect their total potential growth? Or will it just take longer to reach full size?

Thanks!
Harriett
02-16-2010, 06:36 PM
There seems to be an optimal window in which you can get them grown larger, and after that, though they should continue to grow slowly, they lose that edge. Window seems to be the first 8-10 months or so.
Just my experience. It means the diff between a full grown 4.5-5" fish or one that hits 6+".
It also depends on the strain. Some are naturally larger than others. For example, turqs can get real big, completely spotted discus tend to be smaller.
Best regards,
Harriett