Discus Peppering

[Nic]

Gday fellas.
Just curious, ive red when buying discus that any peppering should be avoided.

Does anybody know what it actually means and how it is caused?

Thanks

Nic

[Boyam]

Most of the time peppering is just a trait; like freckles humans have. In most cases peppering... or freckles is not wanted :? a clean discus has higher value than a peppered discus.

here is a link to a peppered fish
http://www.discusforums.com/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=1599

heres a link to a clean fish(not peppered)
http://www.discusforums.com/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=1623

ie peppering means black dots.

[rwel4809]

Peppering is a trait of discus that come from a pidgeon blood line. It is partly environmental.

It can worsen if the water quality is poor, but it can also increase if the fish are in a heavily planted tank, or if you use a dark substrate or background.

Pidgeon blood's have no stress bars and are often a solid colour, or have alot of white in them. Common pidgeon blood lines include, checkerboard's, red melons, and snow white's.

A little bit of peppering is fine IMO... If a fish really starts to darken and you don't like it, then consider changing to a bare bottom tank with a white or very light blue background, and make sure you provide excellent water conditions.

HTH

R

[Matt15]

Robert is spot on.... Peppering adds character to fish however isn't desirable by most collectors.