Breeding My Discus

[Dieses Madchen]

How long after the first attempt before you can try again? Without stressing the fish.

 

[DevotedToDiscus]

How long after the first attempt before you can try again? Without stressing the fish.

Is really up to them, can be few days to a week, but with other pairs I have seen it as soon as 24 hours on occasion. These guys are very young(12 months old), and it normally takes 2 or 3 goes at it before they get it right. I have a lot of confidence with this pair that they will work it all out pretty quickly, they are a very well connected couple.

 

[DevotedToDiscus]

1st thing, this is an amazing post, i have wanted to keep discus for years but never ever felt ready to take the plunge, i used to read a lot of stuff by tony sault who is known for discus breeding.
2nd shame about the babies, hope it works out next time
thanks for a great post

Thank you very much. I will encourage them to have another go over this weekend. They still seem very happy and the fact that the female removed the eggs as soon as she saw that they were not fertilized(after I took the guard off) is a very good sign that she has excellent breeding instincts

...............watch this space!

 

[DevotedToDiscus]

They have started to look very relaxed again and making some actions toward each other. I have moved to a green light and a gooseberry fish(top tip from a friend who runs a Discus farm). She told me that she uses dim green lighting on all her breeding tanks, and introduces a third fish of either sex to improve the pairs urge to get it on! Even though these guys are young and it is normal for the dude fish to be weak in the trouser department, so the introduction of a third fish can cause the Viagra effect on him! So I have selected a non aggressive fish from my main tank to act as cupid, and it was pure comedy when I slipped it in. Discus dude got all manly like he was down the disco and someone tried to muscle in on his girl. It wasn't aggressive in any way, he just strutted around the tank like he owned the place and claimed his woman.......it was epic to watch!

 

[Dieses Madchen]

They have started to look very relaxed again and making some actions toward each other. I have moved to a green light and a gooseberry fish(top tip from a friend who runs a Discus farm). She told me that she uses dim green lighting on all her breeding tanks, and introduces a third fish of either sex to improve the pairs urge to get it on! Even though these guys are young and it is normal for the dude fish to be weak in the trouser department, so the introduction of a third fish can cause the Viagra effect on him! So I have selected a non aggressive fish from my main tank to act as cupid, and it was pure comedy when I slipped it in. Discus dude got all manly like he was down the disco and someone tried to muscle in on his girl. It wasn't aggressive in any way, he just strutted around the tank like he owned the place and claimed his woman.......it was epic to watch!

I wish I could have seen that rofl! You need to set up aa hidden camera lol

 

[coldcazzie]

They have started to look very relaxed again and making some actions toward each other. I have moved to a green light and a gooseberry fish(top tip from a friend who runs a Discus farm). She told me that she uses dim green lighting on all her breeding tanks, and introduces a third fish of either sex to improve the pairs urge to get it on! Even though these guys are young and it is normal for the dude fish to be weak in the trouser department, so the introduction of a third fish can cause the Viagra effect on him! So I have selected a non aggressive fish from my main tank to act as cupid, and it was pure comedy when I slipped it in. Discus dude got all manly like he was down the disco and someone tried to muscle in on his girl. It wasn't aggressive in any way, he just strutted around the tank like he owned the place and claimed his woman.......it was epic to watch!

I agree, you definitely should've videoed that! I also laughed, a lot, at the lead-lacking pencil comment! fingers crossed for more eggs before too long

 

[Dieses Madchen]

He does have a way with words, doesn't he Caz! Lol

 

[thisguyek]

They have checked in now, and appear to be happy, as they went straight to the restaurant!

View attachment 64878

Lunch

are those 'feeding baskets' common at LFS?? its a great idea and i would go out right now to buy one if they were

added the first comment too soon! read the rest of the thread afterwards and laughed for 5 min! that would have been amazing footage hope round two comes through!

 

[DevotedToDiscus]

They have started to look very relaxed again and making some actions toward each other. I have moved to a green light and a gooseberry fish(top tip from a friend who runs a Discus farm). She told me that she uses dim green lighting on all her breeding tanks, and introduces a third fish of either sex to improve the pairs urge to get it on! Even though these guys are young and it is normal for the dude fish to be weak in the trouser department, so the introduction of a third fish can cause the Viagra effect on him! So I have selected a non aggressive fish from my main tank to act as cupid, and it was pure comedy when I slipped it in. Discus dude got all manly like he was down the disco and someone tried to muscle in on his girl. It wasn't aggressive in any way, he just strutted around the tank like he owned the place and claimed his woman.......it was epic to watch!

I agree, you definitely should've videoed that! I also laughed, a lot, at the lead-lacking pencil comment! fingers crossed for more eggs before too long

I will get the video camera ready so that I can better share some of this entertainment........it's better than TV!!

 

[DevotedToDiscus]

They have checked in now, and appear to be happy, as they went straight to the restaurant!

View attachment 64878

Lunch

are those 'feeding baskets' common at LFS?? its a great idea and i would go out right now to buy one if they were

added the first comment too soon! read the rest of the thread afterwards and laughed for 5 min! that would have been amazing footage hope round two comes through!

Yeah, those feeding baskets are know as feeding cones, and should be easy to find. Great for feeding both live and frozen foods, so that they don't get scattered all over the tank. Plus any that aren't eaten can easily be lifted out.

Glad it gave you a chuckle, and I hope I can soon give you guys and up date which includes the next round of spawning

 

[DevotedToDiscus]

I am going to leave the green "Mood" lighting on tonight, as things are getting hot again! Lady fish is busy cleaning her nest.......Dude fish is busy doing nothing(well he's a man and that's how us men keep busy).........while poor old gooseberry fish is just staring into the glass wondering how the heck he wound up in such a predicament, and probably wondering when he can go home! There is definitely the right moves going on although not quite heavy petting yet, just some mild flirting!

 

[Tolan]

Noob question, but what's that clay thing that they are laying their eggs on? Is it just a regular clay flower pot, or does it have a special name?
I'm thinking of trying to keep/breed Discus, but I want to learn as much as I can before I try
Thanks!

 

[DevotedToDiscus]

Noob question, but what's that clay thing that they are laying their eggs on? Is it just a regular clay flower pot, or does it have a special name?
I'm thinking of trying to keep/breed Discus, but I want to learn as much as I can before I try
Thanks!

Yep, just a regular clay flower pot. Some places stock actual breeding cones(caly, or plastic) which are slimmer and make life very easy for the fish, but no stores near me have them. Discus will actually lay eggs on all manner of surfaces, even the tank glass, and often in places you don't want them....like the heater! I think that the clay is good as the eggs stick to it very well.

 

[Tolan]

Okay. Thanks!
Also, do you cover your heater? I read that since they have big bodies you should cover the heater to prevent burns. Do you do that?

 

[DevotedToDiscus]

Okay. Thanks!
Also, do you cover your heater? I read that since they have big bodies you should cover the heater to prevent burns. Do you do that?

Yes, I use those ready shielded heaters. If for some reason the Discus become startled they will try to hide, and they can try and get between the heater and the tank glass. However, if I were starting a fresh, I think I would be very tempted by the new style canister filters which have built in heaters. Also it is less clutter in the tank and less wiring.