Breeding Pair/ Adelaide

[no luck]

Hi, Does anyone know if it is possible to buy a breeding pair of Discus in Adelaide? I have had no luck in getting fish to lay fertile eggs. Been trying for at least 2 years with about 20 odd layings with a few different fish, but not one hatching! Cheers

[BobbyBruce]

Hi No Luck,

It seems unusual that you have had several spawns with different "pairs" and none have been fertile M/F pairs.

If you observe the pair spawning you should notice that the breeding tube on the female is comparatively thicker and blunter than the tube on the male, which, by comparison is narrow and pointed. Observing this difference during spawing will at least let you know you have a M/F pair.

Water conditions and temperature may also impact on the fertility/viability of the spawn. Post up your water parameters including temp, ph, gh, kh. What is your water change regime? What are your readings for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate?

Regards,

Bob

[no luck]

Hi Bob,
I have long given up on trying to get a successful hatch! The original pair I had would do the "one going up laying & one following up presumably fertilising" runs up the cone & I used to adjust the ph to the recommended level (can't remember exactly what now), checked WH etc without really knowing what I was doing. I have always had the temp at 30 deg, using rainwater & changing about 30% per week. I keep a bare bottom tank regularly siphoning out the waste. They laid at least 20 batches with the eggs gradually going white over a couple of days after they were laid with the fish tending the eggs & eventually eating them up. Unfortunately I lost both Discus in a tank disaster. (don't know what happened).
Over the past couple of years I have bred up three juveniles which two seemed to have "paired" up. I have seen both doing the "cone thing" but not together like the previous pair. One, a Blue Diamond has been laying a few times with her "partner" eating the eggs as soon as she lays them! The last hatching was just there in the morning when I got up with both fish 'fussing" over the eggs for a couple of days until they were all white, but then left them there for a couple more days before consuming them. Another first! I am considering buying a "proven breeding" pair for one last try before giving up completely! What specifications of the tests you mentioned as important are your ideal levels for successful breeding?

[morpho74]

Howdy,
I used to breed fish way back when...but never discuss. Anyhu, having been out of the game for a while, I bought a beautiful tank and some glorious discuss. Two red melons, two leopards and two cobalt blues. Now, the latter just spawned on the downpipe for the cannister filter, nice choice, but the one day old fry are swimming happily on the pipe. I don't really have the facilities for raising fry any more, so I'd happily sell the fish to a more appreciative owner, for the right price. I'm in Perth, so be prepared for an unpleasant cost in shipping aswell.
Let me know if you're keen to see some pics etc.
Cheers
Ian