New to the forum and looking to start breeding discus!

[epat]

Hello, I am Eric and is new to the forum! Just want to introduce myself and start asking questions right away!

I used to keep fish but have stopped for the past couple of years due to school and work but I'm looking to get back into it now that I'm done school and just have work. I used to have a 55 gallon bow front tank with red parrot ciclids, a 40 gallon with a jardini arowana and a 30 gallon tank with red cherry shrimps. I have kept 2 discus in my 30 gallon tank before so I know how to take care of them but I've never attempt breeding.

Below are some of my questions that I hope all you expert can advise me on or point me in the right direction.

1. I've read that to start, most economical way is to buy 5-6 2 inch discuss and keep them for 9-12 months for a breeding pair to show up. I was wondering what is the minimum aquarium size tank that I need to keep 5-6 discus? I guess I can start with 4 discus too but its lesser of a probability to get a breeding pair I assume. What is minimum tank size for 4? The plan is that once I get my breeding pair, I would sell off the other discus.

2. I've read that eventually once the breeding starts, that I would need many aquarium tanks....20g for breeding pair to breed, 30g to raise the youngs and then finally 55g for raising them to 2 inches to sell? I'm wondering roughly what is the minimum tanks I would need to be effectively able to sustain 1 breeding pair and then raising the youngs to 2 inches and sell them?

3. I'm from Vancouver B.C Canada and was wondering if I would have a hard time selling off the young 2 inch discus? I guess only people from Vancouver would be able to answer this.

4. Have you ever was unable to sell off all the young discus? What did you do? Just kept them and keep growing them until you're eventually able to sell them? I'm just afraid I'm not able to sell all my stock and runs out of tank space

5. Last question is where is the best source to get my starting discus in Vancouver? It would be online too, please point me in the right direction to get my first 4-6 discus and start my discus breeding journey! Also now that I've sold all my fish aquarium/equipment, where is the best place to get hunt for good bargain on aquarium/equipments? I saw that the petco dollar for gallon is the place to be for aquariums under 29g and thats all I know hahhaaa.

Thank you so much!

[Hollowman]

hi Epat, sorry for the late reply, I was hoping someone else might help you. Let me review and give some suggestions


H

[Hollowman]

Firstly, keeping discus will be a better experience for you if you do it 'right' first time. You have kept them before, but keeping them happy is key to success.

1,
5 or 6 ...2" fish will be a great start, but be careful where you buy them as you dont want the runts of any batch, find a good seller/breeder either in your area or in the US as they can ship safely. We generally say 40 litres or 10 gallons per adult fish so even if they are juveniles, I would still stick to this guide. You might find a pair or two start to form and from here it gets exciting. Again, keeping them happy, with daily water changes, good food and clean up after is key.

2,
Don't get ahead of yourself. This all takes time. Don't plan too far ahead as many things can happen as the fish grow. If a pair forms, yes, you can put them in a cube of 20 gallons with a sponge filter and cone and wait to see what happens.

3,
Did I say don't rush this. Water quality is the most important. Large regular water changes when young will give the best growing environment. Get some good quality beef heart mix food, maybe some black worms, and make sure everything is clean.

4,
Don't start thinking about selling fish. You will have many trials along the way. In this game, you need to walk first.

For a great breeder and seller, do a search for Kenny's Discus in San Francisco