Folks, thought you'd find this interesting. I've always suspected many discus imports are artificially colored - seems like a lot of so-called "strains" are just enhanced versions of a base discus. I picked up some hormones in Asia years ago, but never got around to experimenting with them. Been out of the hobby for a while, but I'm back in with a breeding pair of red discus. Noted that after a year of grow-out, the red color didn't pass to the offspring. Took a few runty juveniles with defects and fed them hormone-laced beefheart. Also got an albino oscar for this experiment. Outcome's pretty amazing, as you can see from the pics below.
Day 1, Day 10, 2 Months.
The control (before/after)
I've tried color bits and astaxanthin powder before, but only my Aquaclear sponges turned red. Guess the only way to get those bright colors is with hormones.
I fed hormones to my fish. Outcome is amazing.
Re: I fed hormones to my fish. Outcome is amazing.
Re: I fed hormones to my fish. Outcome is amazing.
I've gotta say, that's one heck of a transformation. But let's be real, messing with hormones can have some pretty serious consequences - we're talking organ failure, blindness, the works.
I've gotta say, that's one heck of a transformation. But let's be real, messing with hormones can have some pretty serious consequences - we're talking organ failure, blindness, the works.
Re: I fed hormones to my fish. Outcome is amazing.
Re: I fed hormones to my fish. Outcome is amazing.
That's quite a drastic claim about organ failure and blindness. Human population's been exposed to all sorts of stuff, we're still kicking.
That's quite a drastic claim about organ failure and blindness. Human population's been exposed to all sorts of stuff, we're still kicking.
Re: I fed hormones to my fish. Outcome is amazing.
Re: I fed hormones to my fish. Outcome is amazing.
Given time to mature, the fish on the left will still have some catching up to do in terms of coloration.
Given time to mature, the fish on the left will still have some catching up to do in terms of coloration.
Re: I fed hormones to my fish. Outcome is amazing.
Re: I fed hormones to my fish. Outcome is amazing.
Originally posted by giggle
given time to mature the fish on the left will color up.
I've also heard that growth hormones are typically given to young fish to speed up their adult coloration. This way, they can be sold sooner, around 4-5 months. However, with time, they'll naturally reach their full color potential, which in this case, would be the red color seen in the third picture.
The impact on overall fish health and breeding potential is undeniable, but the severity of this effect is harder to determine.
Originally posted by giggle
given time to mature the fish on the left will color up.
I've also heard that growth hormones are typically given to young fish to speed up their adult coloration. This way, they can be sold sooner, around 4-5 months. However, with time, they'll naturally reach their full color potential, which in this case, would be the red color seen in the third picture.
The impact on overall fish health and breeding potential is undeniable, but the severity of this effect is harder to determine.
Re: I fed hormones to my fish. Outcome is amazing.
Re: I fed hormones to my fish. Outcome is amazing.
In the end, it's gonna do more harm than good to your fish. One reason people think discus are tough to raise is they buy 'em from the LFG that use hormones, and those livers are already shot. Minor exposure might not be a big deal, but long-term or heavy exposure is a whole different story - it'll likely end badly.
In the end, it's gonna do more harm than good to your fish. One reason people think discus are tough to raise is they buy 'em from the LFG that use hormones, and those livers are already shot. Minor exposure might not be a big deal, but long-term or heavy exposure is a whole different story - it'll likely end badly.
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jingleTingle - Posts: 3
- Joined: Mon Jul 24, 2023 1:41 am
Re: I fed hormones to my fish. Outcome is amazing.
Re: I fed hormones to my fish. Outcome is amazing.
Your experiment is quite intriguing, but I'm still trying to grasp the motivation behind it. To those familiar with this practice, it's no secret that hormone treatment can induce premature coloration in young fish.
The results you've achieved are somewhat less striking compared to the artificially colored discus often found in some local fish stores. Historically, hormone treatment did play a role in the development of discus in the hobby. I recall an article from a 1960 Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine, where Dr. Eduard Scmidt-Focke, a renowned discus breeder, successfully used hormones to enhance the breeding of his wild-caught Haraldi male.
However, the practice has been exploited by unscrupulous sellers who use hormones to deceive buyers, often at the expense of the fish's health. These fish frequently suffer from long-term health issues, exhibit aggressive behavior, and eventually lose their vibrant colors.
Your experiment is quite intriguing, but I'm still trying to grasp the motivation behind it. To those familiar with this practice, it's no secret that hormone treatment can induce premature coloration in young fish.
The results you've achieved are somewhat less striking compared to the artificially colored discus often found in some local fish stores. Historically, hormone treatment did play a role in the development of discus in the hobby. I recall an article from a 1960 Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine, where Dr. Eduard Scmidt-Focke, a renowned discus breeder, successfully used hormones to enhance the breeding of his wild-caught Haraldi male.
However, the practice has been exploited by unscrupulous sellers who use hormones to deceive buyers, often at the expense of the fish's health. These fish frequently suffer from long-term health issues, exhibit aggressive behavior, and eventually lose their vibrant colors.
Re: I fed hormones to my fish. Outcome is amazing.
Re: I fed hormones to my fish. Outcome is amazing.
I agree, it's a shady business practice, but people are hooked on those vibrant colors and willing to pay top dollar. They think they're getting a new "strain", but it's just a marketing gimmick. The term "strain" means genetic variety, not just a fancy name. It drives up prices for everyone and creates unrealistic expectations. My runts may not have made it otherwise, but I give them the same care as my other fish, so they're living a good life. I've seen people neglect their fish, letting them suffer from diseases and poor maintenance. I'm curious, has anyone successfully bred red discus like mine, with offspring that retain the color as adults? I did this experiment to raise awareness, as hobbyists seem to be turning a blind eye, and breeders are cashing in. Whether we like it or not, this is the ornamental fish trade.
I agree, it's a shady business practice, but people are hooked on those vibrant colors and willing to pay top dollar. They think they're getting a new "strain", but it's just a marketing gimmick. The term "strain" means genetic variety, not just a fancy name. It drives up prices for everyone and creates unrealistic expectations. My runts may not have made it otherwise, but I give them the same care as my other fish, so they're living a good life. I've seen people neglect their fish, letting them suffer from diseases and poor maintenance. I'm curious, has anyone successfully bred red discus like mine, with offspring that retain the color as adults? I did this experiment to raise awareness, as hobbyists seem to be turning a blind eye, and breeders are cashing in. Whether we like it or not, this is the ornamental fish trade.
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BlondeBloom - Posts: 4
- Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 6:03 pm
Re: I fed hormones to my fish. Outcome is amazing.
Re: I fed hormones to my fish. Outcome is amazing.
I'm having trouble understanding your intentions behind this experiment. At first, I thought you were unaware of the potential harm caused by using hormones on your fish. But in your last post, you seemed to acknowledge the risks and yet, you still chose to proceed with the experiment.
Are you planning to sell the hormone-treated juveniles? Is that the purpose of this experiment? Or are you seeking approval for your actions? I'm genuinely confused by your posts and the reasoning behind sharing this information with others.
It's also worth noting that achieving bright red colors doesn't necessarily require the use of hormones or color-enhancing foods. For instance, I've had discus that developed strong red colors without any additives. Here are some pictures of my discus, which were never fed any color-enhancing foods. Two of these discus produced offspring, and although they weren't vividly colored at first, they began to show strong red colors around the 6-month mark. According to the new owners, the colors have remained vibrant even after three years.
I'm having trouble understanding your intentions behind this experiment. At first, I thought you were unaware of the potential harm caused by using hormones on your fish. But in your last post, you seemed to acknowledge the risks and yet, you still chose to proceed with the experiment.
Are you planning to sell the hormone-treated juveniles? Is that the purpose of this experiment? Or are you seeking approval for your actions? I'm genuinely confused by your posts and the reasoning behind sharing this information with others.
It's also worth noting that achieving bright red colors doesn't necessarily require the use of hormones or color-enhancing foods. For instance, I've had discus that developed strong red colors without any additives. Here are some pictures of my discus, which were never fed any color-enhancing foods. Two of these discus produced offspring, and although they weren't vividly colored at first, they began to show strong red colors around the 6-month mark. According to the new owners, the colors have remained vibrant even after three years.
Re: I fed hormones to my fish. Outcome is amazing.
Re: I fed hormones to my fish. Outcome is amazing.
Doing experiments in-house doesn't bother me, as long as the fish stay put. I once ran an experiment with breeding pairs in 100% RO water, curious about the long-term effects. The time frame escapes me, but it was somewhere between a year and two years. By the end, spawns were getting smaller and smaller, with more and more deformities. I culled the fry as I went along - it was all about observing the effects of really soft water. That's how we learn, through experiments.
Doing experiments in-house doesn't bother me, as long as the fish stay put. I once ran an experiment with breeding pairs in 100% RO water, curious about the long-term effects. The time frame escapes me, but it was somewhere between a year and two years. By the end, spawns were getting smaller and smaller, with more and more deformities. I culled the fry as I went along - it was all about observing the effects of really soft water. That's how we learn, through experiments.
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