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  • #1

    Wild Discus

    I wanted to get some feedback on everyone's thoughts on wild caught discus... I've never had a wild tank but have seen some at some lfs and they look good.. they've been there for a while so my initaial gut reaction that they would die in a couple of days from the trauma of shipping is probably not an issue....  all thoughts or comments are appreciated..

    G
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  • #2
    Re: Wild Discus

    Wilds are my favorite.
    IMO they are actually hardier than some domestics when kept in good conditions.
    Make sure that they are eating well when you pick them out at the LFS and deworm them with prazi and flubenol after they settle down in your QT tank. Many come with tapeworms and gill flukes.

    They definitely require lower pH than domestics. 6.0 - 6.5 ish. Mine start looking stressed when the pH goes above 6.5.

    Most newly acquired wilds will not eat processed foods, and IMO, should be slowly weaned onto pellets or flakes for easier care.

    What kind are you looking to get?
    I love heckels:


    www.ventralfins.com

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    • #3
      Re: Wild Discus

      Hi,

      Wild Discus sound great...and I love the idea of the challenge to keep them happy. But how can you tell they are wild? Are there distinctive markings different from tank grown? I have 2 blue turqoise and a melon about 3-4". Their PH is 6.3 Could I mix wild with them safely?

      I'd be curious to know where you saw them..I'd like to look at them. Did they have several or only a couple?

      nacra,

      I think its cool how you split your tank between a "grass" and gravel. It looks great. I am converting 2 75 into a 135 and would love to create something similar to yours. What kind of plants are those that make the blanket of ground cover?

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      • #4
        Re: Wild Discus

        nacra99 -- awesome looking discus.. I absolutely love the Henkels.. I think they are the prettiest of the discus...

        What fish do Jesper have
        180 WC T. Moorii Chilambo +1 Petro trewavasae.
        110         Cyps, WC Xeno Spilopterus Kipili WC/F1/F2 T. sp red Kiku
        58 S. Decorus
        "The problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money." -Margaret Thatcher

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        • #5
          Re: Wild Discus

          Wild Discus sound great...and I love the idea of the challenge to keep them happy. But how can you tell they are wild? Are there distinctive markings different from tank grown? I have 2 blue turqoise and a melon about 3-4". Their PH is 6.3 Could I mix wild with them safely?
          Wilds have different coloration and paterns than domestics. Check out this article on discus types by Carol Roberts. Discus Types
          Your pH should be good for most wilds. They should be able to live with your turq and melons no prob. Just remember to QT and deworm the new arrivals first.

          What kind of plants are those that make the blanket of ground cover
          It's glossostigma. It's a pretty hardy plant to keep, but it needs medium to high lighting (and preferably co2) to really flourish. I used to have to keep trimming back the glosso to keep it from overgrowing the tank.
          www.ventralfins.com

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          • #6
            Re: Wild Discus

            Great advice from everyone.
            It cant be said enought to quarantine them before adding them in your tank.
            Make the LFS check the PH they are in before you purchase them.
            If theirs is higher then yours get as close as you can in your quarantine tank & very slowly drop\lower your ph untill it is the same as your tank.
            Discus can take going up in PH without to much a problem.
            Going down in PH WILL cause a lot of problems.

            There are some people that breed the wild strand of discus will sell them to the stores.
            So it is not a certain  that an LFS has the true wild discus.

            Dont worry to much about the shipping of discus as they get shipped all over the world everyday.
            Board Member of Houston Aquarium Society
            Mod OF Marshreef
            Breeder of Discus, Angels, Bristle nose & Sail fin Mollies
            Coming soon Daphnia

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            • #7
              Re: Wild Discus

              Thanks for all of the input... I have to admit that I've been eying some Henkels..  do they mix well with other varieties? Also, I've heard (and planned) to gradally bring the pH up to Houston standard 7.5-7.8.. I take it from the prior posts that this isn't a great idea?

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              • #8
                Re: Wild Discus

                As long as all the discus have adjusted to your water they will do will together.

                Discus can live in water with higher PH. They have to be healthy & small to get them adjusted to the higher PH.
                Larger semi adults to adult discus will have a very hard time getting use the higher PH.
                If you do try to get them in a higher PH just make sure you do it very very slowly.
                I personally have my display tank in Houston tap water & my grow out tanks in tap water to.
                Board Member of Houston Aquarium Society
                Mod OF Marshreef
                Breeder of Discus, Angels, Bristle nose & Sail fin Mollies
                Coming soon Daphnia

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                • #9
                  Re: Wild Discus

                  VERY NICE DISCUS YOU HAVE THERE!!

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