Discus Grand Champ Aquarama 2013      5/31/13 Photo of the Discus champ  <Wow; that's pigeon red! B> Perry

Singapore Fish Carnival 2012      12/10/12 Bob  Photo of the Discus Grand Champion. I think its the same one that won last year  Perry <Neat! BobF>

How to sex discus, & overfeeding FW Ray    7/5/10
Hi crew,
<Pat,>
I have a couple of questions:
1) Can you tell me how to tell the difference between male/female discus?
<You can't. Of course, the genital papillae will be different, but by the time the female exposes her papilla the fish will be within hours of spawning anyway, so you'll likely know which fish are paired.>
2) I understand the concept of not wanting uneaten food remaining in the aquarium and rotting and fouling the water. But when I feed Blackworms, is it still a concern if there are any left?
<Yes.>
My ray is always foraging, as are my discus. In fact, it seems that they can't seem to get enough. Will they stop eating at some point?
<Not really. If you're providing protein-rich, but fibre-poor foods, you're essentially asking whether a child will stop eating candy at some point -- yes, but not before that child makes itself sick.>
As their bellies swell, I figure that they've had enough. Is there a formula to follow?
<Experience; common sense. The aim is to provide enough to keep a normal body profile, but not so much they are swollen, or so little that their bellies have a concave profile. Under-fed rays lose condition quickly, while nitrate-rich water from overfeeding quickly stresses them. This is why you need a big aquarium and massive water changes to keep Stingrays healthy. Several small meals per day is better than one big one, and skipping a day doesn't do any harm.>
Also, is there a concern that overfeeding will cause more poop therefore fouling the water that way?
<Faeces are largely irrelevant, since they contain mostly material that doesn't decay into ammonia quickly/at all. The toxic ammonia comes from protein metabolism within the fish, and that's invisible to you. Uneaten food of course rots, and in doing so releases ammonia via saprotrophic bacteria.>
I have my tank on a "drip" water change, and this morning my Nitrates are less than 20ppm, judging by the color of the test strip, I'd say maybe 10ppm.
<20 mg/l nitrate is high by Stingray standards; you're aiming for near-zero levels, and preferably no higher than 10 mg/l. Anything above 40 mg/l quickly becomes toxic.>
As always your help and direction are greatly appreciated!
Thank you
Pat
<Happy to help. Cheers, Neale.>

Discus, ID  19.01.09 I just sent you an e mail regarding my new orange discus. This is a picture of him. Could you possibly tell me what type of discus he is? Thanks again, Lena <Read here: http://wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/discusfish.htm Bob Fenner> Discus, gen.  19.01.09 Hi there, my friend has a discus tank and they have always gotten along until recently. One of the discus, a burly orange male (not sure of exact type) started picking on the others in the tank, more so than the usual pecking order. So, this friend offered me the discus. <Are social species> I have had him for two days now, and he is eating well and swimming around and seems extremely happy now. He is alone in a 30 gallon aquarium. I was wondering, will he be alright by himself? <Mmmm> Or should I get him a, or some, tank mates? <Read the linked files above here: http://wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/discusfish.htm> I like having one fish alone, and he seems perfectly happy. Also, he is roughly two years old and is only about 4" - 4 1/2". He was kept in an over crowded tank (hence the reason for the fighting) but I am just wondering if he will grow more now that he has more space and less stress? I have always wanted discus, but they come with such a high price tag and they are considered to be very sensitive fish, I never purchased any. I suppose the risks scared me away from it. Now that I have one, I have never admired a fish so much! I do not think I will keep any fish other than a discus again! Thanks for your help once again! Lena <Welcome. Bob Fenner>

Skin of Discus fish    01/13/2008 Hello! I want to know about Discus Fish. Difference between the shape of Leopard Skin and Snake Skin of Discus fish. I can't choose, what is Leopard Skin? What is Snake Skin? In my eye the skins are same. Thanks WWM Crew, NoMo <They look pretty similar to me, too. Both have a mottled pattern of red squiggles on a blue (or whatever) background. In theory, "leopard-skin" Discus have a more leopard-like pattern (i.e., spots and squiggles), while "snakeskin" ones have a pattern more like snake skin (i.e., mostly spots). But that doesn't seem to mean much in real terms. Retailers use them interchangeably, and so do many Discus breeders. You can even find varieties called "leopard snakeskin" Discus! So instead of worrying too much about the names, look for good quality specimens of a variety that appeals to you, and work from there. Cheers, Neale.>

Reference your website - Discus  - 04/14/07 Dear Sirs, <Hello Heiko!> I just had a look at your nice website and your Discus info page. My name is Heiko Bleher and I just wanted to comment the following: Unfortunately the information you have about discus are very old and outdated. The taxonomy has changed, the information about species and colours, the variants in the wild, etc. etc. <Yes, thank you for this. I penned this piece many years ago> Maybe you would like to have a look at my book: BLEHER'S DISCUS to update it. You can find it almost everywhere in the web (just enter my name under www.yahoo.com and you will find it). Or under www.aquageo.cvom,. or www.aquapress-bleher.it All the best always Heiko <Thank you... Will also post your message for others to find, use your work on Symphysodon. Cheers, Bob Fenner, who hopes to see you at the next/08 InterZoo.> Aquapress Publisher Heiko Bleher Via G. Falcone 11 I-27010 Miradolo Terme (Pavia) Italy Tel. +39 0382754707 - Fax +39 0382754129 www.aquapress-bleher.it www.aquageo.com - www.Joachim-Frische.com

Discus species page 102 of Nov. Tropical Fish Hello, <Hi there> My name is Michael Milliner, a discus enthusiast near Washington DC.  I have several wild caught discus that are almost identical to the one shown in your November article in Tropical Fish.page 102.  I've been told it's a "Madeira Blue", but I'm not sure.  I'd be most appreciative if you could confirm. <Yikes> While some of my seven discus are almost identical to the one shown. Some are close but don't have the dark black rim. some have more turquoise and burgundy on the stomach area. Would it be likely they're all the same with typical minor variations and age related differences. or more likely different types?? Thanks so much!! Michael <I don't know enough re this matter... most of my Discus/Symphysodon pix are made at industry trade shows... in foreign countries. Will ask our resident all-around cichlid expert, Chuck Rambo if he knows where to ask next. Bob Fenner>