Is Discus industry dying in Sydney?

[ivo]

Hi all, i am interested to hear some feedback from Discus Lovers in Sydney. I personally find that since one year ago or so, it has become harder and harder to buy good stunning quality discus as compare to the past. Aquariums that sell discus are bringing in a lot less frequency of new shipment, quality and standard are generally pretty average nowadays, and fewer new strains are being brought into Sydney market. I think one of the reasons that people can be addicted to discus is because of all the exciting new shipments, and the constant release of new strains and variety that get us so hooked onto discus. Now, the excitement seems to fade away due to the fewer quality discus are available. I have no knowledge of what other States discus quality are like so hence, only asking for Sydney people comments.

Anyone like to share their thoughts and findings? Thanks.

[Matt15]

IVO I know nothing about the Sydney market mate, but I did hear news of a new Discus shop opening in Homebush. The store is specific in dealing with discus amongst other fish.

[ivo]

Thanks for your info Matt. I phoned this new Discus Aquarium which they told me they have 200 discus in store. I was excited for a min and asked them what are their most special discus. They told me they have two golden albino and they told me that albino is very rare. They also said next on their uncommon special discus list is checkboard pigeon. I guess that shows they are only keeping very common discus. I asked whether they have fine spots eruption type and they have never heard of this strain before, and ask me what they look like. Unfortunately, i don't think they know discus well at all and can't really refer themselves as discus specialist. Thanks again for your reply tho, Matt.

[Squid]

Pretty sure the Sydney discus market is on the downer. Last year I went to Sydney with 6 grand to spend on new broodstock. Went to about 20 dealers/shops and I returned to QLD with a packet of whiteworms. Heaps of discus around the LFS, but all very poor quality. Was in Sydney just last week and it seemed even worse. My suggestion is move to QLD. Some real good stuff up here. I reckon you may have to suss out some breeders to get good stock

Squid

[Matt15]

lol.... your joking mate. Surely if you owned/operated a store named specifically for Discus you would have a wealth of knowledge about discus.

Fingers crossed they learn over time and only get better.

[Ben]

Ivo, a very good point and its not just happening in Sydney but in Melbourne aswell. Maybe the drought could be a factor or the rise in popularity with keeping marine fish and invertabrates.

Money is also a factor with the rise in interest rates, most people have less money to spend on thier hobby.

[fiftycal]

I have noticed that fewer and fewer places are stocking discus now too. There used to be a place in Baulkham Hills that I visited a while ago that had some decent sized, decent quality wilds. Went back the other week and the shop lot was empty. Im trying to see if they have moved but I'm not holding my breath for it.

Pretty much every retail shops is suffering right now, it seems. I work part time in a large electronics shop, and we are struggling. People just dont want to part with their money right now.

[fish8600]

I visited this store in Homebush yesterday as they had 20% off all their discus. I was a bit disappointed that they did not have a wide variety and some of their discus were of a poor quality.

[albatrozz]

Slippery Little Suckers at Kingsford has some good discus... but at a high price. B&C aquarium at Matraville also has some decent discus as well as a couple wild caught heckels...

[ivo]

Thanks all for your replies and if anyone else has some thoughts like to share, please do. I am glad i am not the only one feel that it is harder and harder to get good stunning quality discus these days. I also notice that a lot of discus selling in different aquariums all sharing the same type of defeats like: really distinct split hard ray which looks like there is no membrane between each hard ray, non smooth dorsal fin, very distinct double chin, etc.

I did purchase some discus from B & C aquarium at the beginning of my discus keeping but their discus tend to have very long football body shape and they told me that all discus from Malaysia has shape like that. .. Hello?? I did check out their so called wilds before but the ones that i saw a while back they were tank raised and I don't appreciate people telling me white lies.

Squid, yes i notice that there are some good quality discus been shipping to QLD (lucky you) but to find a trusted seller is not easy. I learned my lesson before and received discus that were not the ones i was promised from the picture that i received, so won't go down that pathway again.

Let's hope one day soon the discus industry will pick up again.

[Matt15]

Tony is right... there's some fantastic discus up here in QLD especially Brisbane but in saying that, there's always bad ones too. I agree its certainly a seasonal thing. Movement of stock in most of the stores up here have been slowed but it will pickup again in time.

[Proteus]

FYI, Various replies from this thread have been removed by the advisor team here as they breached our commercial posting guidelines, as well as attacked or questioned the morals or honesty of one of the members who provided a personal opinion of a particular business.

For the record, the replies were made by "supun" who as it turns out has a vested interest in the mentioned Discus store in Homebush.

I must point out at this time, the comments "Ivo" made were based on personal opinion and are pretty accurate based on what most advanced Discus hobbyists would consider common and uncommon strains, and to not know some of the names of a few of the most sought after Discus types raises the question do they really know much about Discus, as suggested by "Matt15" and I back that question up 100%.

Not once did any member defame or present anything in a manner which could be considered libel.

Supun, your threats of legal action to this community and the members in question here may just be your undoing, as facts are very hard to argue against, so I present the following. Bear in mind, this is from someone who claims they are a Discus specialist, well at least that is what the store tries to potray.


Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2008 8:49 am

Thanks guys for your help. I have never been a fish fan before, but ever since I got my new discus, I have really got into it, as they are such a beautiful animal.

I will investigate into the options you all have given me.

So, only 4 months ago you were not really a fish fan, and you now have new Discus? And now, by your own admission, you have been running a Discus store for 3 months?


Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2008 1:19 pm

Illusion, I understand your plight about non-sponsors not being allowed to post their link on your forum. But, you must admit that the general discus enthusiast like me and others need to know where to buy these cones.

Otherwise, what would the purpose of a forum like this be, how can people be informed on where to buy breeding gear?

Trust me, I am internet savvy, am currently working in the IT industry for more than 8 years now, so I have done my research on the net. I have looked up these cones on Google etc with no avail.

Additionally, I have done my research. I have "taken a drive"...in fact I went to about 10 discus/general aquarium stores situated all around Sydney, and all of them are out of stock. One did sell an inferior quality one (it is a large Aquarium chain) which I dont want to use.
These are the suburbs (which had a tropical aquarium) I went to:
Canley Vale
Eastwood
Homebush
Taren Point (Xtreme- very far away for me...and turned out to be a very small shop indeed)
other various

Why cant your "sponsors" step up and put their hands up to say they sell these cones? Again..it must be a hush-hush topic...I am merely in the hobby...not a money maker..

"post their link" I believe that is an admission of ownership or vested interest of the business in question. Once again I must remind you, only members of the secret society have access to these cones, as they have very strong powers and must not be used by those who are not worthy.




Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2008 10:47 am

Hi,

All of my 11 discus are at the surface and breathing air.
I checked the following:
pH= 6.4/6.5
Nitrite=0
ammonia=0
nitrate =two filters working ok

temp= 28.7 Deg C.

I did a water change yesterday with aged tap water.

Why are they doing this? Last night, they were swimming around fine.

What seems to be the problem? I need all the help I can get.

Thanks,

This community is here to help people, especially when something is wrong, as has been proven with your previous question in relation to the advice several members here provided, yet you now call yourself a Discus Specialist??? We dont mind helping people out, but we dont tolerate fraudsters and liars. If you sell the fish and you have a problem, say so, you will get more support from everyone rather then coming across as somebody else.

And now to your idle little threats...


Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 11:10 pm

To tell you the truth, I did add a reply to the "Is Discus Industry Dying in Sydney"thread, and it was clearly removed tonight. If you say that you are the administrator, then who removed my post...? Is it the Asian mafia of the Fish Industry???

Considering a lot of members here are of Asian heritage I take offence at your comment, especially when some of these people are very well respected in this hobby. I dont care what nationality you are supun, however that comment is racist.


Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 11:10 pm

We will be watching this site closely. There is only one shop in Homebush which specialises in Discus, and we advertise our shop in this manner. Even to refer to our business without mentioning its name is still regarded as defamation in a legal sense.
If we see another citation of our business in this way, we will take legal action.

Good luck Nick, Sue, Susi, or whatever your name is today

Just remember, every comment and threat you have made here has it's ip address logged on it, plus other information you have provided confirms who you are, so you best think long and hard before making further threats to anyone here...

[DIY]

I have to say it's a little depressing and like ivo I worry about the repercussions of not having an active discus market with quality and new strains available especially for enticing new discus addicts. Here in Melbourne as Ben as already said it's the same.

I took a road trip in March to Sydney in the hope of seeing and buying quality discus and maybe some new strains that just aren't around here in Melbourne. After visiting as many stores as I could in Sydney over a weekend, I came back empty handed and surprised at the lack of quality discus and the similarities to Melbourne.

It is hopefully just a phase and it will bounce back, maybe some sponsors and others in the industry that have been around a while can comment on this?

I guess my next road trip will have to be QLD...

[yakfisho]

I guess my next road trip will have to be QLD...

I'm in the same position as you now. Adelaide's discus are absolutely terrible in my eyes. When i bought my turqs I chose from 50+... I chose 4, not because that's all I wanted but because they were the only ones that were actually half decent. When I say half I really mean "this still isn't good enough". Anyway, long story short, I've been hoping to get over to Sydney to find some nice fish but it looks like I'll now have to set my sights on QLD. What a bummer.

[taksan]

I think the reason why the "discus" industry is "dying" is basicaly that many of the people who are prepared to $pend on quality fish no longer consider anything bred in a tank to be a quality fish. The popularity of wild discus has exploded over the past 12 months and thats a good thing IMHO. The sooner most keepers regard mutants like "albinos" and "leopards" as the trash they are the better.

[Matt15]

Thats a shame to hear Proteus. I had no idea that those comments had created an escalated situation which you and our administration staff here have had to deal with.

Surely to attack these forums would be proposterus to say at the least. It's amazing the market power and reputation some of our sponsors/members here have. I personally receive PM's on a weekly basis asking for opinions for buying discus in Brisbane.

[gypsy3]

spot on, Taksan - now i just wish the availability of wilds would improve!!

[DIY]

I think the reason why the "discus" industry is "dying" is basicaly that many of the people who are prepared to $pend on quality fish no longer consider anything bred in a tank to be a quality fish. The popularity of wild discus has exploded over the past 12 months and thats a good thing IMHO. The sooner most keepers regard mutants like "albinos" and "leopards" as the trash they are the better.

I understand what you are saying and there is no doubt the surge in popularity for wilds, but surely if that was the reason then keepers like myself (and I can't believe I'm the only one) who are prepared to spend $ on quality tank bred strains would be left with an abundance of choices due to the majority not wanting them and only wanting wilds?

Is it possible the quality discus just aren't getting to Aus for some reason?

[Proteus]

The situation with Discus may just be what happenned to Betta's (Siamese fighting fish) a couple of years ago.

Back then Betta's were commanding crazy prices and there was a new flavour every couple of days.... Now, you cant give the things away unless it is a wild caught.

Maybe that is where Discus keeping is going, there will always be a market for new strains, patterns, colours etc etc, however I feel that the interest in keeping Wilds is on the increase which I think is great (not quite to the same extent as our fellow fearless leader Taksan thinks :P )

[Merrilyn]

There will always be a market for good quality discus, both wild and tank bred.

I don't honestly think the discus market is "dying" in Australia, but I do think the buyer is becoming more savvy as they become more educated through forums like this one.

Australia is no longer the dumping ground for second rate fish. We want good looking fish, with good colour and great shape. We're no longer prepared to pay high prices for something just because it's a 'new' strain. A new strain is good, but it has to have a good shape too.

The aquarium industry is definately going through a transition period, but that's not a bad thing. If we demand quality, it will force the breeders to lift their game, and only send us good quality fish. There is no room for second rate, poorly shaped and stunted fish in Australia.

[madaboutfish]

Just a thought. Maybe with the higher cost of living. Most hobbyist no longer have the disposable income to spend on Discus. So most aquariums are not willing to invest in quality fish. Here in WA good discus have always been difficult to find and ordering fishes from the east may end up being a disappointment as we cannot select our fishes. I just wish I could go down to one of the sponsors and choose what i want.

Nick

[samir]

The popularity of wild discus has exploded over the past 12 months and thats a good thing IMHO.

I'll have to start agreeing with you on that one, though I love my "mutants" , wilds are so much stronger and easier to keep than the ten generation inbreds coming in.

[ivo]

i agree with both of you (samir and taksan) about wild discus. problem is they are not easily to be found to purchase. unless you have connection like taksan and merrilyn, the quality of the wilds we can purchase is generally very average. when comparing to those wilds that are available overseas it only makes you think what is the point to buy and keep the very average ones that we can buy in here.

[samir]

the quality of the wilds we can purchase is generally very average. when comparing to those wilds that are available overseas it only makes you think what is the point to buy and keep the very average ones that we can buy in here.

buy them at 8cm any quality, pump them with metro for three days, deworm with levimasole and treat for flukes with prazi. keep them in a separate tank and pump them up with a beefheart heavy diet. Withing three months they will be the nicest round wilds you have ever seen.

[taksan]

pump them up with a beefheart heavy diet.

:banghead

[samir]

hehehe gotta get them to grow fast :lol:

[TW]

buy them at 8cm any quality, pump them with metro for three days, deworm with levimasole and treat for flukes with prazi. keep them in a separate tank and pump them up with a beefheart heavy diet. Withing three months they will be the nicest round wilds you have ever seen.by unfortunate necessity, my surviving Heckels went through this 3 stage treatment. Would you say that we should include metro as part of the routine treatment of new wilds?

[samir]

Here's a very good article by Jim Quarles on DPH, I don't use pp because it freaks them out.

http://article.discusnews.com/cat-01/cleaning.shtml


If you use metro on day one they will start eating everything from granules to beefheart within the first couple of days right out of your hands. Its important imo to have them eating as soon as possible and as much as possible so one can grow them to their maximum size.

Once fully grown, they are bullet proof and almost impossible to kill. My fish had discus plague and the heckels hardly even caught a cold :)

If you don't treat with metro they will take a week or so to settle down and will never eat as much.

If you mix them with domestics and then do metro, the metro will not be as effective and the prazi will be totally useless.

[TW]

Here's a very good article by Jim Quarles on DPH, I don't use pp because it freaks them out.

http://article.discusnews.com/cat-01/cleaning.shtmlWill check the article out later (thanks)


If you use metro on day one they will start eating everything from granules to beefheart within the first couple of days right out of your hands. Its important imo to have them eating as soon as possible and as much as possible so one can grow them to their maximum size.

Once fully grown, they are bullet proof and almost impossible to kill. My fish had discus plague and the heckels hardly even caught a cold :)

If you don't treat with metro they will take a week or so to settle down and will never eat as much.Good to know. If I manage to get my hands on new wilds, I will remember this.


If you mix them with domestics and then do metro, the metro will not be as effective and the prazi will be totally useless.Shame, as you know i moved rose red to share QT with them. I was going to hit them with a 2nd Big L / Prazi treatment - but you say this would be useless. I don't want to move rose red back to the community for a while, to make sure no sickness left in QT. So do I forget the treatment for now? Also if I remove Rose Red, there are only 2 in the tank - which also isn't good.

Do you mean never mix wilds with domestics? Or do you mean just for QT period? Royal Blue already is & I don't have room (or ok from finance) to set up another tank. Options are to get rid of my Africans or thin out plants in my heavily planted 3ft apisto tank (no swimming room for big meaty fish like discus). Not sure I want to do either- but should I? Is it necessary?

[samir]

if your domestics are healthy go ahead. most of the domestic discus we get nowadays have flukes that are resistant to prazi and trichlorfon. A lot do not react to metro as well. Previously a fish with white poo would react to 250mg/40l of metro, now its taking 1000mg/40l.

My point being that wilds do not contain resistant strains of superbugs. I know many people are keeping them with domestic discus without any hassles. imo the last thing you need with heckels is a gill fluke you cannot get rid of, they will be doing donuts all the time. imo you will get much better growth and survival rates if you don't mix them with other fish.