|
| |
|
FAQs on Discus 2
Related Articles: Discus,
Planted aquariums
Plants + Discus
= WOW! by Alesia Benedict,
Plants
and Discus: What They Need to Thrive by Alesia Benedict, Juraparoids,
Neotropical Cichlids, African
Cichlids, Dwarf South American Cichlids,
Asian Cichlids, Cichlid
Fishes in General,
Related FAQs: Discus 1,
Discus
Identification, Discus Selection,
Discus Compatibility,
Discus Behavior,
Discus Systems,
Discus Feeding,
Discus Disease,
Discus Reproduction,
Cichlids of the World,
Cichlid Systems,
Cichlid Identification,
Cichlid Behavior,
Cichlid Compatibility, Cichlid Selection,
Cichlid Feeding,
Cichlid Disease, Cichlid
Reproduction,
|
|
Question... Discus, Planted Sys. mat.s
on WWM 6/10/08
I just sent this email to one of your columnists - Alesia Benedict:
I recently ran across your columns on line at Conscientious Aquarist. Love
your style and your common sense approach. I'm working on a planted discus
tank -- discus are doing well, plants are more of a problem. I'm definitely
interested in what someone with your success has to say. So far I've found 4
of your columns:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/volume_2/cav2i2/discus/discus.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/cav1i2/plants_discus/plants_discus.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/cav1i4/plants_and_discus2/plants_and_discus2.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/volume_2/cav2i1/Planted_tank_substrates/Aquarium_Substrates.htm
I find this website a bid difficult to navigate.
<How might you improve it?>
I found these by doing Google searches.
<We use their tool on every page...>
The columns are not dated and there is no search function for the site.
<Mmm... the incept. date might be found by right-clicking... but I do agree
that a stated date would be of use. The search function can be found at the
bottom of all pages including homes... for the root and seven sub-webs>
Have you written any more and if so could you direct me to them?
<Yes... please use the indices from the WWM homepage:
http://wetwebmedia.com/index.html
or the Google... at the bottom>
Thank you,
Larry Hartford
However, the email address given for her -- aquaticblondegal@aol.com -- is
no longer valid. Can you tell me if there are any other of her articles on
line?
Thanks,
Larry Hartford
<Read on my friend. Bob Fenner>
Please!!! Symphysodon, NNS 5/25/07
This is my first time write to you. I have 4 discus (1'x1.5' tank) and 4
flower horns(3'x1.5' tank). Their tanks are very dirty and how to clean my
tanks. I put their tanks with air pump and heater. I change all tank 20% water
and then add a little salt.
<Mmm, the Discus do NOT like salt>
It is good or not. I want to know what kind of filter is good for my tanks
(discus and flower horn). I want to test my water but i don't know, so what kind
of test is require? Please explain me the usage (advantage) of undergravel
filter, sponge filter and internal filter. If i add filter, air pump is need or
not? I don't know how to keep my fish and this is my first time bought fish.
Please give me other advises of my fish (discus and flower horn). I will waiting
from your reply.
Thanks !
<Ahh, all of this and so much more is posted... Please read here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/fwsubwebindex.htm
The blue print are links... the search tool is at the bottom... Read my friend.
Bob Fenner>
Bleher's New Discus Tome! 9/22/06
Dear Mr. Fenner,
<Heiko? Of Aqua-Geo...?>
my name is Heiko Bleher, and I do not know if you have heard of my
name, but possibly. In any event, I have been collecting wild discus
(and other aquarium fishes) since I was 8 years old (with my mother,
Amanda Bleher), this was 1953...
<Yes, know a few anecdotes re your "Bleher-Mobile", your extensive
adventures... you and I have chatted a couple of times... casually,
at the Interzoo shows over the years. Hello to you>
The reason I am writing to you, is about my new book: BLEHERīS
DISCUS which I think you should also have in your library.
<Oh!?>
I wanted to let you know, that this volume 1, on wild discus, just
came off the press. It is an outstanding Monograph of the genus
Symphysodon, as never done before. A work that has more than 670
pages, over 3000 photos, maps and paintings, 380 different wild
discus with its precise location, and over 380 - in part new -
Amazon fishes.
<Great!>
It contains 250 Discus-habitats throughout Amazonia with its
parametres and detailed biotope explanation.
There are 80plus pages only on discus nutrition in nature, with each
component - the result of hundreds of stomachs and guts researched
immediately after collecting.
The book includes the entire Amazon-history of discoveries, its
explorers and their scope, the Indian tribes of past and present
(their status today, cultures of past and today's), the status of
almost every Amazon city and village today.
This book is a must for every Discus enthusiast, every fish-lover
and every nature and (or) Amazon (fish) lover. Sting as well as
Leonardo de Caprio just got their copy signed.
<Heeee!>
Have also a look at the attached review, which was just published a
few days ago in the UK (Tropical Fish magazine).
This monograph includes not only the history of discus taxonomy to
the last detail, but also a new, easy to understand taxonomy. It is
a result of my over 300 Amazon field trips and research work during
the last 50 years.
I am sure it will be the reference book for Discus for today's
generations and for those to come.
It should be of great interest to your website-information.
Please do not hesitate to contact me for any question you may have.
Below I also copy in a few of the websites talking about my new
book. And, I wanted to tell you: volume 2, which I am hoping to
finish end of this year, will have everything about tank breed
varieties including interview with 300plus breeders from 4
continents.
Heiko Bleher
www.aquapress-bleher.it - www.aquageo.com
For additional information, please have a look at the following
websites:
http://forum.discusnews.com/discus-sion/viewtopic.php?t=6551
http://mondodiscus.com/mdiscus/content/view/63/181/
http://www.discus-south.com/bleher_discus.htm
http://www.american.cichlids.ru/privat/blehers_discus.php
http://www.akvazin.com/diskusije/default.cfm?Nit=48&Tema=3444&Page=1
http://www.aquageo.com/BooksETC/DiscusMonograph.html
http://article.discusnews.com/review/Heikobleherandmanfredgobel.shtml
.
http://www.zoothun.ch
<Thank you for sending this along Heiko. Will post on our site,
accumulate with other Discus keepers. Cheers, Bob Fenner>
Re: reference your website -
Discus, Heiko Bleher 12/28/07
Dear all,
please notice that Heiko#s new website is at:
www.aquapress-bleher.com
<Just saw this yesterday... while trying to refer a friend to Aqua-Geo... is
this/your zine going to resume its annual release?>
Thank you for passing on the message,
Aquapress Publishers
Italy
<Be chatting, Bob Fenner>
|
Discus Stocking - 05/07/2006
<<Hi, Karen. Tom with you.>>
I have a 47G column. It is planted, and doing well. I want to put a few 2.5 inch
Discus in it. How many may I safely put in? The dimensions are 31" tall, 20"
wide and 18" deep front to back. There are no other fish, save 1 Otocinclus. I
would do a small school of cardinal tetra, but I know I am restricted due to the
lack of surface area.
<<Karen, I wouldn't go with more than three of these fish since they won't
remain this size. You're already aware of the restricted surface area with this
style of aquarium and are almost certainly aware of the need Discus have for
exceptional water conditions. They're going to need frequent water changes and
strict attention to vacuuming the substrate in your tank. These are wonderful
fish but it seems like any parasite within a city block of these guys will find
them.>>
Thanks for the expert opinion, for free, YAY!
<<Well, I can't vouch for the "expert-ness" of my opinion but, it is absolutely
free! :)>>
Karen
<<Best of luck. Tom>>
Discus Book Recommendation - 04/27/06
I will order it, and thank you very much for the time you and everyone involved at WWM so generously give. I raise my net to you in a salute! I shall
make a donation in your honor! Would you possibly have a recommendation for a
book on Discus, other than Mr. Wattley's? Would you order his? Is that a fair
question?
Yours truly, Karen
< I love this question! Recently I went out and bought all the new and old
discus books I could find. I am kind of an aquarium history buff too so I was
not too far from my element. An excellent to the point book about discus is the
"Back To Nature Guide to Discus " by Dick Au. Unfortunately it is out of print
and Dick has all the remaining copies. Jack Wattley's book "Discus For The
Perfectionist" has lots of good information. It is a series of questions and
responses from famous discus aquarists from all over the world. It is
interesting to note that Jack does not respond to any of the questions. For the
money the best book is called "Exotic Discus of the World". It is a composition
written by numerous authors about the very fine details and tricks on getting
,breeding and raising discus. It can be obtained through Oliver Lucanus at his
website at Belowwater.com. I use it often as a reference to WWM questions on
discus.-Chuck>
Discus book, NNS (Non-Native Speaker) ? 3/3/06
dear bob
just a quick line to say thank you for all the work you do for us fish keepers
am new to this game i.e. discus keeping
Am i right in thinking that you have done a book on the subject ? if so where
can i get a copy from
thanking you a gain
des
<Mmm, no freshwater books in print. Bits and pieces archived on WWM, including
re Discus. Bob Fenner>
Discus Question 2/10/06
Good Afternoon,
<Morning here/now>
I am starting up a 65 gallon planted discus tank and was wondering if I can have
other fish in with them (specifically angels, an elephant nose, cardinal tetras
and maybe dwarf gouramis).
<The cardinals would be fine (if large enough, the discus small enough), the
other fish species are not recommended for various reasons>
Also, could you please tell me how many fish I can house in a 65 gallon
aquarium.
<Could start with five discus of smallish size (less than three inches in
diameter), likely having to remove all but two, three in time>
Another question is with regards to sand/gravel. I have been reading up on
silica sand, black beauty and other sandblasting sand. Could you please tell me
which is the best to use in my tank (currently running bare bottomed).
<Mmm, none of these would I choose. Look to Fluorite, lateritic material... for
function...>
What medication (if any) should I always have on hand. Thanking you in advance
for any advise you can offer.
Lori
<None. Like military hardware, lack of knowledge/intelligence re same, you're
too likely to use it. Bob Fenner>
Starting With Discus 12/10/05
Yes, fist of all I just want to say thanks for all of your hard work on putting
this page together. It has been a great source of reference for many years.
Ok, on with the question. I just bought a 75 gallon tank with the hopes of raising discus, but I don't know if I have the right set up. I am using a
stealth heater two Filstar Rena canister filters xp2 and xp3. I am using medium and small gravel somewhere around 110 pounds in all. And a few fake plants
and driftwood. Is this ok please let me know. Current fish in tank, 2 baby green
severums, 2 Bala Sharks, 2 catfish Pictus and 1 Black Ghost knife 10 in.
< There are two kinds of discus, wild and tank raised. Wild discus require clean, warm, soft, acidic water. Tank raised fish are much less demanding. Overall you need to keep the pH around 7, and the nitrates as low as possible. Give them good food and they like to be crowded. In the wild they are found in big schools so get a group to make them feel more comfortable.-Chuck> Discus
Hey,
I have several discus and one of them is showing a sort of pimple along the lateral line right before the tail. The fish seems to be eating fine and swims along without a problem but the pimple is there with a white top on it. Should
I move the fish to a temp tank? What would you recommend for treatment? DK
< I would do a 30% water change, clean the filter and vacuum the gravel. Watch the pimple carefully because it may be the first signs of hole in the head disease. If it gets worse I would isolate the fish and treat with
Metronidazole. The key with discus is clean water with lots of water changes.-Chuck>
Fish poisoned with algicide/clarifying agent
Hi there. I used a product called Accu-clear in my tank, which was going green with an
algae bloom. It had 2 of my breeding discus in it. Both discus instantly got sick and one to the point where it was lying on the bottom of the tank and gasping for air.
Can you help me and give me some information on what I can do to help this fish?
<Change the water IMMEDIATELY... as much as you have good water (about the same chemistry, temperature) on hand. Increase aeration... Bob Fenner>
Peaceful Top Dwellers
Hi,
<Hello Greg>
I've kept fish for most of my adult life, but never had a small aquarium until I moved to an apartment. I now have just a 10 gallon tank. I will be moving back into a house I'm building by fall and will go back to a large tank.
The tank has 3 high-fin rams 3 small discus one Pleco and one cat. The rams stay at the bottom and the discus in the middle. Are there any small (or at least slow growing) fish that are compatible and would inhabit the top
third of the tank? I figure I've got room for two or possibly three more fish if they're not too large.
Thanks, Greg Plate
<Well that is a lot for a ten gallon, as the discus demand very high water quality to stay healthy. I would not add anything else to this tank and am sure that by the fall you may be severely overcrowded size wise, if you are not already. I would keep a very close eye on the water quality and do rigorous water changes weekly to help, but the waste produced will overload the tank soon, if it hasn't already. Justin
(Jager)><<You need a larger tank, hyaku! RMF>>
| |
|
