Tips on growing out fry.

[Antoniombdl]

I've kept discus for a while now and have small online business in Brazil as some may or may not know. But as a breeder I'm inexperienced. Do you guys have tips on getting decent growth results in the first 3 months? Feeding schedule, what to avoid and things that go unnoticed.

[Second Hand Pat]

Hi Antonio, the first thing is to make sure the parents are worm and fluke free...in other words the parents do not have anything which can affect the fry. Are you allowing the parents to raise the fry or are you planning on raising the fry? Personally l like to leave the fry with the parents if possible. Also start the fry on BBS after a couple of days from hatch. People tend to overfeed from. If the little bellies are full wait until the bellies are empty before feeding again. Another things is daily water changes are needed good growth and be sure to wipe down the bottom and sides of the tank. Bare bottom is best.

Culling defective or weak fry is necessary for healthy fry. Also plan to having plenty of tank space so you can split the group by size as they grow. I am sure Al will be along to assist with lots of suggestions as he has raised many batches of fry.
Pat

[Antoniombdl]

I prefer to let the parents do their job. But this BBS tip I did not know it was so important. Thanks a lot! Artificial raising is not for me, I think it's too hard and time consuming.

[Second Hand Pat]

Be sure to have a brine shrimp hatchery on hand as live BBS is better IMO.
Pat

[brewmaster15]

Hi Antonio,
Those first few months are critical for the discus fry ...Most stunting and Poor growth occurs at this point. Luckily its not hard to give them what they need. As Pat said, its really important to start with healthy Parasite free parents. Things like Flukes are much easier to deal with on adults and often are fatal to fry or the treatments are. Once you have healthy stock and have fry, you definitely want to get them on Baby Brine shrimp once they are actively feeding off the parents. Several feedings a day is best, and really should be freshly hatched BBS as the nutrition fades fast. Most breeder use two culture, am and Pm. Water is critical.. It has to be clean and has to be changed frequently, most breeders change up to 100% 1-2X a day. After a few weeks of BBS transition to other foods, but keep feeding BBS as long as they will eat it, its a powerhouse of perfect nutrition. Good Foods for fry... Quality soft micropellets, Decap BBS, Gel Foods, ground freeze dried blackworms, Beefheart and Seafood mixes. You are looking for Foods high in protein, good fat and lipid profile...balanced nutrition. Stay away from foods loaded with grains, corn etc. I would be cautious with overly dry foods for small fry... these feeds swell in the gut and soaking the food is best.

As the fry grow, you will be feeding more and they make more waste.. change as much water as you can. Cull heavy, Fish that are slow growers, fish that are deformed or have poor traits for the strain.. cull them early. They just take resources for the good fry.

hth,
al