Advice on getting some tankmates

[Willystylee]

In about a month or so i'm gonna be getting maybe two-three new discus.
I have a few questions.

First question: Is it okay to house discus of different strains in the same tank? Sorry if this is a dumb question lol.

Second question: What are good breeding sites you guys could give me, i'm gonna be buying online, the two LFS's in my town don't have any discus on regular stock, and the closest aquarium shop is a while away and only has pigeon bloods at the moment.


thanks!

[lpiasente]

Where are you from Will?

[Hollowman]

I think you will find that the sponsors here will post to you.

H

[Boyam]

First question: Is it okay to house discus of different strains in the same tank? Sorry if this is a dumb question lol.

Its okay to mix discus strains: meaning domestic. i wouldn't recommend mixing these strains with wild discus; although, it realistically wouldn't be much of a problem just a good step to keep it all natural, and a smaller risk of disease.

[Hollowman]

Sorry, i missed that question about mixing strains.

Yes you can mix strains, the only trouble with this is that the discus tend to try to pair with the wrong partners. If you get a mix of PB based fish and blue fish and they pair up, the fry will be mostly PB (as the gene is dominant) which will produce badly peppered fish. If you keep either PB's or blue based fish and they pair up, then you will be ok.

I would advise not to mix wild and domestics, for disease control reasons, and I would not mix Asian fish with Stenker fish as they require different conditions.

Whatever you do, remember quarentine, if you do not qt fish, you can kill all of your fish in one go.

hth

H

[Willystylee]

ok guys,

thanks, thats some good info as now i think i'll probably buy all the same strain. and yes i'm thinking i want a blue based discus.

SO what are some good sites or resources for buying some new tank buddies? H, what did you mean buy sponsors? Do u mean the store directory?

and lpiasente, i reside in central california, santa barbara county.


Will

[Hollowman]

Ok Will, you have a great supplier right on your doorstep, in Cali'

I have a good friend called Kenny Cheung, he is in Daly City in San Francisco. He has some of the most stunning fish in the US, and has a wealth of knowledge on all things discus. I'll put his details below, but if you call or mail him, tell him that Steve.r recommended you. :wink:

http://www.kennysdiscus.net/

All his details are on his pages, I have known Kenny for several years now, and I know people who have had his fish, well worth a look.
By the way, I don't get commission :lol: I just know quality.

hth

[Willystylee]

Ok i will check him out! :D

Perfect, every other breeder i found over the net had a pretty big distance between me and them.

Thanks again!! Howbout any suggestions on strains? I am looking for a blue based discus.


will

[Willystylee]

heres some strains i found that i liked:

Blue knight
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h297/blueyes80513/BlueKnight.jpg

Blue Turq
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h297/blueyes80513/BlueTurq.jpg

Fireruby Leopard
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h297/blueyes80513/firerubyleopard.jpg

Leopard Snakeskin
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h297/blueyes80513/leopardsnakeskin.jpg

Ring Leopard
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h297/blueyes80513/ringleopard.jpg

Snake Spider
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h297/blueyes80513/snakespider.jpg


Should i get males or females? I'm not going to be interested in breeding yet, but i may in the future...

And should i get small (2"-2.5") ones?

The sites i'm looking at are:
http://www.kennysdiscus.net/ that h suggested,
http://www.sunrisetropicals.com/
http://www.universaldiscus.com/

I really think a california breeder would be best

thanks

[Hollowman]

Some nice examples there Will :)

[Willystylee]

Thanks H,

Im planning on getting 3-4 more, and i want a few different strains. Is it ok to get all male?

[BigDaddyAdo]

You wont know what sex you are getting.



Ado

[Hollowman]

Ado is right, at that age you won't know what you are getting. Remember though, that a group of 3 fish means there will be one that always gets picked on, if you have the space get 5 or 6. :wink:

H

[Willystylee]

ok,

yeah im gonna be moving the other fish i have in the tank to my other tank, and keeping it like 4 discus plus joe strummer, and about 10 cardinal tetras.

SO no way of knowing sex huh... well, will there be any problems with that? will they try to mate later on? how will i know?

will

[Hollowman]

When they get to about 9 months old, what we call 'sub adults' you might be able to start to see the differences. If you have a paair or two, you will see them dancing with eachother. They shimmy their bodies and swim towards eachother in a sort of heart shaped direction and bow at eachother as they pass. You'll see it, don't worry. :wink:

hth

H