roclement
02-25-2011, 02:30 PM
Hi everyone,
Please do not associate this thread with any others, this is intended for people to share experience on how to make a decision to purchase Discus, wilds or domestic, from sponsors or not.
I am assuming that we are picking up were all the appropriate reading on what a good quality, healthy discus looks like so take it from there...
Fell free to add at will but I will ask MODS to remove any de-railing or direct references to anyone! Please keep it to how you do things, not what you read on a book, or how it "should be done", just be direct and post your oppinions.
My process for shipped:
Domestic Fish:
Before I purchase from anyone, I do my research. I follow the seller for a long time before making a decision to buy. Once I have made my mind comfortable with the source I start talking to them about what I expect, price, etc. In my case I give the seller specific requirements like Grade A or regular, specific size, gender, etc. I also undertand that I may pay premium for some of these requests, so be it. I may or may not ask for pictures depending on time I have known the supplier.
I also set specific expectations for shipping as in when to receive, how they are being delivered, number of bags, etc.
Don't forget to understand completely what the re-fund/dead on arrival/no-show policy is! Get it in writing, e-mail will do!
Wild Fish:
Pretty much the same with the only difference being that I do need to see pictures or a video of the fish. Wilds are all one of a kind so there can be quiet a difference between them, even if from the same species. I also make sure that they have been quarentined and aclimated to eating processed foods before I get them, I will pass on cheap fish that haven't been through a comprehensive "cleaning" and aclimating process.
Pay attention to incorrect or unsure sources, or non-correct names that don't match the variety!
F1's or any wild fish spawn:
Here things get tricky...while they are considered domestics they are yet to have fixed traits in them, let me explain...
Just because you get two nice wild fish, it does not mean that their spawn will be nice looking fish! It will take many generations of inbreeding to fix certain desirable qualities like pattern, shape, and color.
Buying f1's is a shot in the dark, especially when buying very young, you have no way of knowing how they are going to turn out as they grow, there are way to many variables to list and not the purpose of this post.
When buying F1's or any other wild spawn, make sure to talk to the seller and get a realistic expectation of what you are getting. Maybe limit yourself to only purchasing fish at a larger size so most traits have been fixed and you can have a general idea of how they will turn out.
Buying from a Store/Wholesaler:
All the above apply plus, make sure to check cleanliness of the place, check the filtration system, is it integrated to the rest of the tanks? Is it individual to every tank?
If in a integrated system, check the tanks in the same chain, are there sick fish in there? Do they look healthy, eyes clean, etc?
Ask seller for dates, when did they arrive, how long have they been quarentined? Specially for wild fish! Did you treat them in any way?
Eating habits, how often, what are they eating? Feed them for me please?
Lastly ask general questions about discus like water temperature, hardness, are they difficult? Do anything you can to acertain the level of knowledge of this person so you can decide to trust them or not.
If anything makes you feel unconfortable at all...walk away!
Rodrigo's General Rule for Buying Discus:
NEVER BUY FISH SMALLER THAN 3 INCHES UNLESS YOU HAVE EXPERIENCE AS A DISCUS KEEPER, HAVE REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS OF WHAT/HOW THEY WILL TURN OUT, AND HAVE EXPERIENCE/TRUST WITH THE SELLER, ALWAYS QUARENTINE!
Thanks for reading, feel free to add since I am sure I missed a lot of important things!
Rodrigo
Please do not associate this thread with any others, this is intended for people to share experience on how to make a decision to purchase Discus, wilds or domestic, from sponsors or not.
I am assuming that we are picking up were all the appropriate reading on what a good quality, healthy discus looks like so take it from there...
Fell free to add at will but I will ask MODS to remove any de-railing or direct references to anyone! Please keep it to how you do things, not what you read on a book, or how it "should be done", just be direct and post your oppinions.
My process for shipped:
Domestic Fish:
Before I purchase from anyone, I do my research. I follow the seller for a long time before making a decision to buy. Once I have made my mind comfortable with the source I start talking to them about what I expect, price, etc. In my case I give the seller specific requirements like Grade A or regular, specific size, gender, etc. I also undertand that I may pay premium for some of these requests, so be it. I may or may not ask for pictures depending on time I have known the supplier.
I also set specific expectations for shipping as in when to receive, how they are being delivered, number of bags, etc.
Don't forget to understand completely what the re-fund/dead on arrival/no-show policy is! Get it in writing, e-mail will do!
Wild Fish:
Pretty much the same with the only difference being that I do need to see pictures or a video of the fish. Wilds are all one of a kind so there can be quiet a difference between them, even if from the same species. I also make sure that they have been quarentined and aclimated to eating processed foods before I get them, I will pass on cheap fish that haven't been through a comprehensive "cleaning" and aclimating process.
Pay attention to incorrect or unsure sources, or non-correct names that don't match the variety!
F1's or any wild fish spawn:
Here things get tricky...while they are considered domestics they are yet to have fixed traits in them, let me explain...
Just because you get two nice wild fish, it does not mean that their spawn will be nice looking fish! It will take many generations of inbreeding to fix certain desirable qualities like pattern, shape, and color.
Buying f1's is a shot in the dark, especially when buying very young, you have no way of knowing how they are going to turn out as they grow, there are way to many variables to list and not the purpose of this post.
When buying F1's or any other wild spawn, make sure to talk to the seller and get a realistic expectation of what you are getting. Maybe limit yourself to only purchasing fish at a larger size so most traits have been fixed and you can have a general idea of how they will turn out.
Buying from a Store/Wholesaler:
All the above apply plus, make sure to check cleanliness of the place, check the filtration system, is it integrated to the rest of the tanks? Is it individual to every tank?
If in a integrated system, check the tanks in the same chain, are there sick fish in there? Do they look healthy, eyes clean, etc?
Ask seller for dates, when did they arrive, how long have they been quarentined? Specially for wild fish! Did you treat them in any way?
Eating habits, how often, what are they eating? Feed them for me please?
Lastly ask general questions about discus like water temperature, hardness, are they difficult? Do anything you can to acertain the level of knowledge of this person so you can decide to trust them or not.
If anything makes you feel unconfortable at all...walk away!
Rodrigo's General Rule for Buying Discus:
NEVER BUY FISH SMALLER THAN 3 INCHES UNLESS YOU HAVE EXPERIENCE AS A DISCUS KEEPER, HAVE REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS OF WHAT/HOW THEY WILL TURN OUT, AND HAVE EXPERIENCE/TRUST WITH THE SELLER, ALWAYS QUARENTINE!
Thanks for reading, feel free to add since I am sure I missed a lot of important things!
Rodrigo