Can You Buy Discus Fish Online?

Discus fish are available to buy online, if you decide to get your discus fish online then you must make sure that you know everything that there is to know about discus fish and taking care of them before your order any discus fish online.

There are many fish owners who consider discus fish to be quite difficult to look after and they are not often recommended to inexperienced aquarists. Although discus fish are not particularly difficult to manage, they can often become susceptible to stress borne disease and can die if they are not kept in optimal conditions. Ammonia cause from fish waste and bad water temperatures are the main threats to the discus immune system, in their natural habitat they live in distilled water and the chemicals which are more often than not added to the municipal water supply can harm the fish. Many discus fish owners choose to change water using RO water, however if you do use RO water you must be sure to add minerals back into the water that it takes out.

Discus Fish - Photo by basheertome 

Before you buy your discus fish online you should make sure that:

1  You have a tank large enough to contain your discus fish- 20 to 27 gallon tanks should be sufficient for your discus fish

2  Do your homework- make sure that you have read through discus fish care books that you know how to take care of them, what they eat, the water pH, temperature, breeding- there is a lot to know before you get started.

3  Make sure that you have all of the equipment that you need to keep discus fish- filters, food, ornaments for the fish to hide behind etc.

4  Make sure that you have a safe and quite place to keep your discus fish tank

Once you have considered all of the facts about discus fish, then you are ready to buy your discus fish online! But where can you find discus fish online? There are dozens of websites which offer links to stores where you can order discus fish- these vary in prices and shipping charges to you might want to do a little bit of research before you settle for your buyer.

You should take into consideration; cost of fish, cost of shipping, shipping time and you should also consider whether or not you can trust the website to deliver your discus fish safely and in a healthy condition. If you want to find more information on where you can buy discus fish online, then do a quick internet search to find out everything that you need to know.

The author has created a review site that provides you with the most in-depth and complete analysis of the best discus fish online products to date called Discus fish Secrets. Article Directory: Article Dashboard

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PH Levels in The DISCUS TANK

Because it is imperative that discus fish have optimal water conditions, much has been written about this subject,  This is the plan put in place to insure proper PH water levels in our hatchery.

Allnut Enterprises' breeder, Nick Lockhart of Noblesville, Indiana, has many ingenious ideas as to how to accomplish things in the hatchery.  We begin our experiment with two matched pairs: two red melons, and two leopardskins.  They are lovely, friendly fish, and have been getting acclimated to our tanks and the aquarist since the end of June.

Initially, we begin to prepare for the new arrivals by setting up the tanks in this manner:  water was tested for PH and nitrite levels, and a proper ecosystem for active bacteria was begin by populating the tank with cichlids that Nick has been raising prior to the purchase of the discus.  When we felt that the water/bacteria levels were correct, we set up the meeting with the breeder, and made the trip to Bloomington, Indiana.

Upon arrival at home base with a travel time of about an hour and a half, we immediately begin to acclimate the pairs to their new home.  We were advised by the breeder to let them acclimate to the new tank water by "floating" the bags containing the fish for approximately one hour to equalize the temperatures, and to add a cup of water to the bag from the tank to equalize PH levels.

We did not, however, follow this procedure.  We took approximately six hours to acclimate by adding a cup of the tank water to the bag each hour, and keeping a close eye on the discus and PH levels, because they were stressed from the trip. A Hanna PH digital meter was used for testing, which gave us a very accurate reading.  As large changes in PH in a short period can shock the discus, we were careful in this approach.  Our water at the time matched the water in PH levels from the breeder closely.

Because the two pair were bought for breeding purposes, Nick was not comfortable with the PH level, which at that time was at approximately 7.5, high for optimal breeding conditions of 6.5-6.9.  What to do?

We had read that hanging a mesh bag of peat moss would help to lower the PH, but were not happy with the idea of having debris from the Peat in our tanks, which are kept scrupulously clean. We knew there had to be a better way to accomplish this goal.

Because Nick lives in town, and has city water, he uses a Reverse Osmosis filtering system to insure that the water is free of chemicals and suitable for the aquarium.  Knowing that Peat Moss will lower the PH in an aquarium system, and having a large bag left over from making culture for Grindal and White Worms, he took a 5 gallon pail, and drilled a series of holes around the perimeter of the bottom of the pail, using a 3/32" drill.  He then lined the bottom of the pail with a think layer of regular aquarium filter floss, and topped that off with a thick layer of Peat Moss, with the finished pail being about two-thirds full.

The outlet hose from the RO system was then allowed to drain into this pail.  Setting the pail over the top of the holding tank, the water slowly drained down through this medium into the holding tank.

Initial test of the recycled water showed a drop in PH to below the base of 7.0.  We have been adding the water to the discus tanks slowly through water changes so as to not shock the fish, and at our business meeting this weekend, Nick informed me that the PH levels in the discus tanks are now at approximately 6.6, which is the optimal level for breeding discus.

Cost of the project?  If you already are using an RO system, and have a holding tank, you will spend a twenty dollar bill getting the Peat Moss and filter floss.  Not bad, considering a breeding pair of dicus can run you $425 dollars!

Alden Smith is CEO of Allnut Enterprises, a diversified company, and is involved with discus breeding.  His website is http://www.kingdiscus.blogspot.com Article Directory: EzineArticles

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DISCUS FISH Breeding - Take it To The Next Level

Discus fish in my opinion are one of the most beautiful fresh water fish you'll keep. You will hear that clown loaches or cichlids are more fascinating however it’s not the point. With their beauty comes a price Discus can cost in upwards of three hundred dollars a fish. I do not recommend anyone spending over 100 bucks a fish. With all being said where I’m from here in Michigan you will pay approximately seventy five dollars for an adult and a little less for just a juvenile which can be approximately 35 dollars or so.

How would it sound if you merely had to purchase a few fish and that’s it? With these tips you will have a very good chance to achieve just that.

Discus Fish Breeding - Setting Up

By now you recognize caring for discus is great however it's only the very first part of the hobby. To save money on these pricey fish I want you to take it to a higher level. Discus fish breeding is the amusing and exciting method

to save money on your discus. Keep at heart this isn't as simple as it sounds but it seriously is not as complicated as it sounds either. Due to the lofty cost of the fish. Discus fish breeding has become very popular among hobbyist during these recent times. In some cases the discus will even breed without any distinctive attention providing you with a lovely surprise in a handful of weeks.

Discus Fish Breeding - It’s Time To Start

With discus fish breeding there are a few ways to get set up. Here are a couple of options to start you out correctly. First the easiest choice. To consider the simple methods speak with your dealer and allow them to know you wish to buy a mating couple. This would be the fastest and the most expensive system to start the discus fish breeding process.  Certain mating pairs can cost between one hundred and 300 dollars.

The next choice is to buy a collection of a minimum of six juvenile fish. When utilizing this practice it is not one hundred percent guaranteed however it typically will succeed in the majority of cases.

Discus Fish Breeding - The Mom The Dad

With some time, in your main tank you'll start to note who mating pair will be. What I mean by this is you will observe two fish pair off and they will start defending their territory against all of the other tank mates. Watch this behavior for a few days if it keeps up they will be mom and dad.

Now it is time to move them both into the breeding tank. A tank which is independent from your main tank is considered a breeding tank. When breeding discus fish it is suggested to have at least a 20 gallon tank for the two fish.

Discus Fish Breeding - Breeding Tank Tips

Use this easy tip before you move the breeding pair into the "Discus fish breeding tank" to maintain them less stressed. Fill the breeding tank with water from the main tank therefore the ph factors will remain stable. You would

like to keep the base clear, no rocks no gravel. The reason for this is to allow it to be easier to maintain the water clean by removing any leftover food and waste. The only decor you need inside the tank is really a vertical spawning surface.

Discus Fish lay their eggs like angel fish do. They prefer to spawn their eggs on the vertical surface. There are many varieties of vertical surfaces you can use. In my case I use an upside down ceramic pot or some sort of plant like a Java fern. If your fish seem to be stressed or are trying to hide, it is a good technique to put in a plant or two giving them shelter making them feel unstressed. Filtration is another important factor. I like to use a small power filter as well as a sponge filter. I take advantage of the power filter with a bag of peat moss, this technique keeps the ph level in check.

SMALL IMPORTANT BREEDING TANK SECRET

Keep in mind the Discus fish breeding tank is usually a lot smaller than your original tank. You have to watch this tank for ammonia spikes and water temp. fluctuations. Cleaning the waste from this tank everyday is a must do chore for breeding. This is essential with the Discus fish breeding process. Discus like clean water and will not breed without it.

About The Author Steve Jones is an expert fish keeper and owns an aquarium shop in upper Michigan. Discover more advanced tips on how to buy discus fish HTTP://WWW.AQUARIUMDISCUSFISH.INFO  Article Directory: Article Dashboard

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Feeding Tips for DISCUS FISH

Discus fish have a reputation of being difficult to look after. They can be creatures of habit and don't tolerate change well. However anybody can keep or breed them as long as they are equipped with the right knowledge.

Live brine shrimps (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Feeding Discus Fish can be quite a challenge. They have no unique nutritional needs and can be raised on most high-protein fish food. However, their cautious nature and reluctance to adapt to new foods and surroundings can create problems.

They have been known to go for weeks without eating before trying and accepting a new type of food.

After about a month they will begin to accept new foods you need to bear in mind the starvation period could slow or stunt the growth of young discus.

It's a good idea to ask the breeder/owner what type of food they are use too and what exactly have they been feeding them. This will help the discus settle in a lot more quickly in there new home.

You can introduce new food at a later time it's a good idea to slowly mix in the new food with the old food and over a period of time increase dosage of the new food until they grow accustomed to the new diet.

If you are breading and have babies you should start feeding the babies while they are on the parents. This is important in means of helping the parents and getting the babies used to the foods you will give in the future.

My recommendations: Start feeding them with live bbs (baby brine shrimp) on 3rd day of free-swimming. During 10th day, start giving some dry food little by little.

Discus fish do not like new foods and surroundings at the same time, remember discus to not like sudden change slowly is the best way.

Keeping &Breeding Discus Fish Guide Article Directory: EzineArticles

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DISCUS FISH Keeping Tips - Simple Things You Must Know When Caring For Discus

Many new aquarists who try their hand at discus fish keeping have tried and failed. Some keep at it, hoping they will get the hang of it. While one group may live longer than the last, they just do not seem able to get past a certain critical point. And with these fishes being expensive as they are, it becomes disheartening after a while. If this is you, do not despair. With a little foreknowledge you can succeed with keeping them alive and thriving.

Discus fish (Symphysodon aequifasciatus)  (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

To get you going, here are simple things you need to know about discus fish keeping.

Set The Temperature

While they are very peaceful and make ideal community fish, their tank-mates may not appreciate it. They require fairly high temperatures to be comfortable. Their ideal temperature is most times too high for other tropical fish. They require it to be between 80 and 84 degrees Fahrenheit. Most other fishes prefer it to be between 72 and 78.

So you can see the discrepancy there. It might not seem big to you, but if you were cold blooded and your normal range was the lower one, then when you are subjected to the higher ranges, you will feel like you are having a fever. You would not be very comfortable. The discus at lower temperatures will feel like they are experiencing cold chills.

Perform Water Changes Regularly

These guys need pristine water conditions at all times. You will need to change it on a regular basis and never miss one, ever!

Schoolmates

These are schooling fish and so they will not be happy in groups smaller than six.

The Book (not anymore available)

You might want to look at this book for all the secrets to successful discus fish keeping. So, click here for the secrets. Article Directory: EzineArticles

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The Water Parameters For DISCUS FISH

The Amazon River is full of rooting vegetation which is a direct cause of the acid nature of the water.

Before you choose your Discus you must have the water parameters correct or matching closely to the place of where you are to buy your discus Fish.

Unless you are lucky enough to live in a place where the natural tap water is Acid and Soft, you will need the use of a Reverse Osmosis filter and a HMA filter.

The RO filter will remove 99.9% of everything in the water, making the Ph around 6.2 depending on where you live. The HMA filter will remove the heavy metals and the Chlorine, which are extremely harmful to discus. The HMA will not alter the Ph which is ideal, because we can use that to blend with the RO water to make the correct Ph.

Now if you are breeding you will need the Ph to be between 6.2 and 6.5. If you are just keeping discus say in a show tank you will need the Ph between 6.7 and 7.0. With the hardness between 3 and 5GH.

I like to use 'Indian Almond Leaves' in all my discus tanks as I find it gives a natural additive to the water similar to liquids you can buy which claim to add chemicals to the water that will give you that Amazon river consistency. The top breeders in the far east use these leaves. I always favour the natural approach every time!

Temperature should be 29 degrees centigrade.

Do your water changes regularly, the often the better, and you will not go far wrong!

Article Directory: EzineArticles

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Keeping DISCUS FISH - Hard or Soft Water?

It has been debated a lot about whether to keep discus fish in hard water or soft water. People have had success with both methods so it's not an easy answer but I will share with you, how I do things and what has worked for me.

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Here's the first rule I use when buying and importing discus fish:

Match the water conditions of your supplier.

If you follow this rule you will be at a great advantage as the discus will already be accustomed to the water you provide. This will cause a lot less stress than moving discus used to hard water into soft water. Now your water doesn't have to match exactly but if it is about right things should be OK. Don't go getting stressed if your hardness is out a couple of degrees.

Once fish are settled here's how I like to keep mine.

Young Discus

Young discus fish should not be kept in very soft water as there aren't the right minerals present for good growth. They should be raised in slightly hard water with a natural ph. In this water they should grow quickly and healthy. For my young discus I use tap water filtered through activated carbon and then left in storage barrels for at least 24 hours. This will make sure all the chorine is out of the water.

Adult Discus

Adult discus, once 5in should be kept in soft water but still not at breeding conditions as they may still be growing but don't need the minerals like young discus fish. By lowering the softness and ph of the water you will trigger breeding activity between the adults and should get a few breeding. For my adult discus I again use tap water filter through carbon and left to stand but I also add aquarium peat. This softens the water a little and is fine because of the tap water I have. You may have to use RO water mixed with filtered tap water.

Also if using peat to soften water, make sure it is of the aquarium variety. Other garden peat can contain chemicals that can harm discus fish so just be careful.

On a final note, there is no right or wrong hardness to keep discus these days because they are tank bred through generations and have acclimatized to harder water. Just follow these guidelines and you should be fine.

Rob owns Discus Fish Secrets website helping beginners and advanced fish keepers with discus problems including keeping and breeding them. Please visit the site for more information on discus and keeping and breeding discus fish Article Directory: EzineArticles

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