What is a Discus
It was in 1840, that the first Discus species was first identified in Natterer's Collection by Johanne Jacob Heckel. The fish later named in honour of Dr. Heckel. It was far later, in 1930’ s, that the first
specimens were introduced to the enthusiasts in Europe and the United States. At that time the limited resources for the transport of live specimens from the wild, made long distance travel a very traumatic experience for the fish. Some of these specimens would have been in drums for as long as several weeks. Very few of the fish imported particularly to Europe, survived this ordeal, and those that did soon died in captivity, either from disease or nervous disorders, clearly brought about by brain damage and stress from a lack of oxygen and toxin poisoning. It was as late as the 1960' s, folk and Aquarists started to become better informed about the species, and articles started to appear in journals. The airline connections by this time enabled fish to be transported far more easily from South American stations based in Iquitos in Peru, Leticia in Columbia and Manaus in Belem Brazil. With these such changes in transportation, the Europeans in particular, could clearly see the potential of these beautiful species and gathered breath before they started their quests into the Wilds and the unknown. This fish species natural habitat is very considerable in relation to the scale and size of some countries. South America I am pleased to say is still wild in many parts at this time, but under threat and such magnificence and beauty can never be replaced. The Discus fish species inhabits parts of Brazil, Peru, Columbia, Venezuela and where other wild life is found in abundance. To this day, there are many unanswered questions surrounding this fish species and a great deal of mystery surrounds them still. Sadly many of the reasons that prevent us from learning far more arise from financial constraints. However, we can draw many conclusions about the species natural environment. The Discus Heckel, when it is in condition, is the most attractive of all Discus varieties in the wild. It is one of the most convex shaped fish, like the Angel Fish (Pterophylium Scalare), which is also a member of the Cichlid family. Both these species' origin is South America. The fish's natural design is fascinating, for it shows similar characteristics to a flat fish, but swims vertically. The question may be asked, whether the species is a distant related member to the flat fish family. It is interesting to note that when the Discus is threatened by a predator in the wild, or showing panic or distress in captivity, the species will lie on its side. I have had wild-caught Discus sent to me in the past, that have lain flat on the bottom of the aquarium, for as many as three days, and the only movement made, being that of the species respiratory system and pectoral fin motion. The fish species shape enables the Discus to be very agile and to move very quickly in and around tree roots, small pools, streams and fast flowing water. Discus fish species encounter many different chemical changes in their natural environment throughout the regions they inhabit, although I have read on many occasions that this environment is very stable with little or no change. This is an area that is given little discussion, and yet a crucial aspect because of the changes that take place in the natural environment, may create an inducement for the species to spawn and reproduce. Every part of this world in which we live is seasonal. The changing environment of the Discus in the wild indicates a time to spawn, a time to grow and a time to die. The Discus is recognised by the natives as an excellent fish to eat. This too is another interesting factor, as so many freshwater fish species are inedible. However, this use of the fish by the natives must be seasonal, as changing conditions throughout the year will affect the availability of the species to the fishermen. A fluctuation must take place throughout the year from the dry season to the rainy season.
These points must be borne in mind when seeking answers to some of the questions constantly being asked about the maximum growth of the fish species, with a view to achieving optimal results in reproduction in captivity. It is clear that these environmental changes that do take place, some are very sudden and others can be more gradual. It must be agreed that the waters of sunken bog wood and exposed tree roots, are areas where great movement of water can take place at certain times exposing large tree root systems. The Discus fish species will frequently spawn on substrates such as bog wood and roots of sunken trees which would appear to be a contradiction. Such environments also contain many particles in the water and this would affect a proportion of the fish species eggs. Therefore a strong circulation of water must exist at times to cleanse such areas, as well as the parents cleaning these substrates in order to spawn. There must also be significant movement in the water to maintain the eggs in their early days before hatching. In view of these facts, it is more likely that the fish will spawn close to the bottom, where the water currents are slightly stronger than towards the surface. It appears at these times of change, spawning takes place almost immediately after the storms, when oxygen saturation will be at its highest and the water currents are present. Once the water level has reached its maximum, the flooding will remove all debris and other floating objects from the areas. The General Hardness of the water will have also risen, as well as the PH. As the water recedes in such areas, a circulation of water will still be apparent helping to keep the eggs clean. It is possible that one of the reasons why this species develops a body mucous for the fry, as a result of the water being free of most microscopic life when such changes are taking place. The Discus fry would also be exposed to extreme danger from the large volume of water movement and predators, including members of their own species, or from other members of the Cichlidae Family. For we need to remember, the Discus is a predatory fish and member of the tooth carp family. Such water environment conditions and changes would only provide a small window of just 21 to 30 days, before the water starts too receded in earnest. Giving time for the fry to hatch and grow sufficiently in size, so they can then begin seeking out food away from the parents, in short spells initially. These chemical changes only use to take place on certain occasions throughout a year and so it was logical and probable that all members of the shoal are with young at the same time and pre-occupied. However, reality is now that from climate change, weather conditions have become very erratic, and from such unsettled cycles of weather, these events are greatly disrupting breeding program cycles, that have remained the same for millions of years. Such changes and activity, I know are considered by Aquarists and many Humanitarians, but not the general populous so much and as a result of these rapid changes, many species will not have sufficient time to naturally evolve and adapt , leading to further extinction of species. I hope folk begin to gather a picture in their mind of the Discus species natural habitat that has been further featured today , with the thanks to cable and terrestrial television networks, as more folk are seeing more Wild Life documentary programs brought to their homes, including Sir David Attenborough’s Planet Earth and the continued work of the National Geographic and Discovery teams. To successfully keep and breed Discus, we need to breakdown the cycles and conditions, so we can attempt to simulate “ SOME” of these elements when keeping Discus in captivity, and especially pertinent with regards to encouraging the species to reproduce. Without doubt the Discus is a shoaling fish, especially the Discus Heckel. But it has a great many contrasting factors in its chemical disposition and this was one of the reasons why many Aquarists found Discus (symphysodon discus heckel) difficult to keep in captivity. All these factors we will now discuss as we go through the book for keeping, breeding and raising, healthy free of disease Discus
specimens were introduced to the enthusiasts in Europe and the United States. At that time the limited resources for the transport of live specimens from the wild, made long distance travel a very traumatic experience for the fish. Some of these specimens would have been in drums for as long as several weeks. Very few of the fish imported particularly to Europe, survived this ordeal, and those that did soon died in captivity, either from disease or nervous disorders, clearly brought about by brain damage and stress from a lack of oxygen and toxin poisoning. It was as late as the 1960' s, folk and Aquarists started to become better informed about the species, and articles started to appear in journals. The airline connections by this time enabled fish to be transported far more easily from South American stations based in Iquitos in Peru, Leticia in Columbia and Manaus in Belem Brazil. With these such changes in transportation, the Europeans in particular, could clearly see the potential of these beautiful species and gathered breath before they started their quests into the Wilds and the unknown. This fish species natural habitat is very considerable in relation to the scale and size of some countries. South America I am pleased to say is still wild in many parts at this time, but under threat and such magnificence and beauty can never be replaced. The Discus fish species inhabits parts of Brazil, Peru, Columbia, Venezuela and where other wild life is found in abundance. To this day, there are many unanswered questions surrounding this fish species and a great deal of mystery surrounds them still. Sadly many of the reasons that prevent us from learning far more arise from financial constraints. However, we can draw many conclusions about the species natural environment. The Discus Heckel, when it is in condition, is the most attractive of all Discus varieties in the wild. It is one of the most convex shaped fish, like the Angel Fish (Pterophylium Scalare), which is also a member of the Cichlid family. Both these species' origin is South America. The fish's natural design is fascinating, for it shows similar characteristics to a flat fish, but swims vertically. The question may be asked, whether the species is a distant related member to the flat fish family. It is interesting to note that when the Discus is threatened by a predator in the wild, or showing panic or distress in captivity, the species will lie on its side. I have had wild-caught Discus sent to me in the past, that have lain flat on the bottom of the aquarium, for as many as three days, and the only movement made, being that of the species respiratory system and pectoral fin motion. The fish species shape enables the Discus to be very agile and to move very quickly in and around tree roots, small pools, streams and fast flowing water. Discus fish species encounter many different chemical changes in their natural environment throughout the regions they inhabit, although I have read on many occasions that this environment is very stable with little or no change. This is an area that is given little discussion, and yet a crucial aspect because of the changes that take place in the natural environment, may create an inducement for the species to spawn and reproduce. Every part of this world in which we live is seasonal. The changing environment of the Discus in the wild indicates a time to spawn, a time to grow and a time to die. The Discus is recognised by the natives as an excellent fish to eat. This too is another interesting factor, as so many freshwater fish species are inedible. However, this use of the fish by the natives must be seasonal, as changing conditions throughout the year will affect the availability of the species to the fishermen. A fluctuation must take place throughout the year from the dry season to the rainy season.
These points must be borne in mind when seeking answers to some of the questions constantly being asked about the maximum growth of the fish species, with a view to achieving optimal results in reproduction in captivity. It is clear that these environmental changes that do take place, some are very sudden and others can be more gradual. It must be agreed that the waters of sunken bog wood and exposed tree roots, are areas where great movement of water can take place at certain times exposing large tree root systems. The Discus fish species will frequently spawn on substrates such as bog wood and roots of sunken trees which would appear to be a contradiction. Such environments also contain many particles in the water and this would affect a proportion of the fish species eggs. Therefore a strong circulation of water must exist at times to cleanse such areas, as well as the parents cleaning these substrates in order to spawn. There must also be significant movement in the water to maintain the eggs in their early days before hatching. In view of these facts, it is more likely that the fish will spawn close to the bottom, where the water currents are slightly stronger than towards the surface. It appears at these times of change, spawning takes place almost immediately after the storms, when oxygen saturation will be at its highest and the water currents are present. Once the water level has reached its maximum, the flooding will remove all debris and other floating objects from the areas. The General Hardness of the water will have also risen, as well as the PH. As the water recedes in such areas, a circulation of water will still be apparent helping to keep the eggs clean. It is possible that one of the reasons why this species develops a body mucous for the fry, as a result of the water being free of most microscopic life when such changes are taking place. The Discus fry would also be exposed to extreme danger from the large volume of water movement and predators, including members of their own species, or from other members of the Cichlidae Family. For we need to remember, the Discus is a predatory fish and member of the tooth carp family. Such water environment conditions and changes would only provide a small window of just 21 to 30 days, before the water starts too receded in earnest. Giving time for the fry to hatch and grow sufficiently in size, so they can then begin seeking out food away from the parents, in short spells initially. These chemical changes only use to take place on certain occasions throughout a year and so it was logical and probable that all members of the shoal are with young at the same time and pre-occupied. However, reality is now that from climate change, weather conditions have become very erratic, and from such unsettled cycles of weather, these events are greatly disrupting breeding program cycles, that have remained the same for millions of years. Such changes and activity, I know are considered by Aquarists and many Humanitarians, but not the general populous so much and as a result of these rapid changes, many species will not have sufficient time to naturally evolve and adapt , leading to further extinction of species. I hope folk begin to gather a picture in their mind of the Discus species natural habitat that has been further featured today , with the thanks to cable and terrestrial television networks, as more folk are seeing more Wild Life documentary programs brought to their homes, including Sir David Attenborough’s Planet Earth and the continued work of the National Geographic and Discovery teams. To successfully keep and breed Discus, we need to breakdown the cycles and conditions, so we can attempt to simulate “ SOME” of these elements when keeping Discus in captivity, and especially pertinent with regards to encouraging the species to reproduce. Without doubt the Discus is a shoaling fish, especially the Discus Heckel. But it has a great many contrasting factors in its chemical disposition and this was one of the reasons why many Aquarists found Discus (symphysodon discus heckel) difficult to keep in captivity. All these factors we will now discuss as we go through the book for keeping, breeding and raising, healthy free of disease Discus