Who Gives A Fish Forums

Re: Discus goals.... what are yours?

Al's question really made me think about my own goals. When I first started keeping discus, I didn't really have any goals in mind. I just wanted to learn and enjoy the hobby. But as I gained more experience, I realized the importance of setting clear and achievable goals.

Having well-defined goals has greatly improved the quality of fish in my fish room. I focus on quality over quantity, and I'm more selective about the fish I keep. I've moved away from buying fish just because they're cool; instead, I only bring home fish that align with my goals.

In the past, I wanted to maintain three breeding pairs, which meant managing multiple breeding and grow-out tanks. It was a lot of work, but it was also rewarding. However, my priorities have shifted, and I'm no longer interested in breeding on a large scale.

Now, my goal is to have the absolute best quality discus possible. I want to be proud of every single fish in my collection. To achieve this, I've been growing out my fish more slowly, performing more frequent water changes, and culling less desirable fish. I'd say I'm about halfway to reaching my goal, and I'm excited to see where this journey takes me.

Re: Discus goals.... what are yours?

I keep a big show tank, with a twist - it's got substrate, plants, and driftwood. Other fish swim alongside my discus, but they're the stars of the show. I'm aware this setup won't produce the same size fish as bare-bottom tanks, and might even affect their lifespan. Still, I'm determined to close that gap. I'm okay with regular water changes, but I need to step up my game. I also want to add more variety to their diet. My goal is a planted tank with minimal hidden spaces for crud to accumulate, but my current setup isn't exactly ideal. When pairs breed in the tank, I try not to interfere. I've had two successful pairs raise their young in a community tank, and I've got another pair that might just make it three if they'd stop spawning on my canister filter's intake. Time to switch to a sump, I think.

Long-term, I'm dreaming of an indoor pond with viewing panes. Discus will be the main attraction, and I want to keep the population low, allowing the fish to populate the pond naturally.

Re: Discus goals.... what are yours?

I've been reflecting on this lately, and my goal is to keep things straightforward and appreciate these stunning creatures as much as I can. This means focusing on keeping discus, without breeding them, and continuing to learn more about them.

Re: Discus goals.... what are yours?

I'm not really about setting goals, I just find solace in the world of fish-keeping. There's something therapeutic about watching them interact with each other, especially when you've got different species mixed in. And let's be honest, there's nothing quite like the excitement of witnessing a mating dance.

But it's not just about the fish themselves – I also get a kick out of the technical side of things. I've built most of my systems from scratch, and I love figuring out new ways to automate and optimize them. It's a constant challenge, but it keeps my mind engaged.

At the end of the day, though, it's all about the simple pleasures. Watching my fish swim lazily around their tanks as I drift off to sleep, or being greeted by their gentle movements in the morning – it's a great way to start and end each day.