Who Gives A Fish Forums

I've been thinking about getting some wild discus, but I'm not sure if they're worth the extra hassle compared to captive bred. Anyone have experience with both? My tank's a 75 gallon, planted with driftwood, and I do 50% water changes weekly. Parameters are stable, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 5 nitrate, pH 6.8, temp 84°F. I feed a mix of frozen bloodworms, beef heart, and pellets twice a day.

Wild discus are stunning, but they're definitely more sensitive. I've kept both, and the wild ones need pristine water. My setup's similar to yours, 80 gallon, soft water, and I do 60% changes twice a week. They're picky eaters too, took mine a month to accept pellets. If you're up for the challenge, go for it, but captive bred are way more forgiving.

Wild ones are legit, but man, they're pricey. I got a pair last year, and they straight up refused to eat for weeks. Tank's a 55 gallon, sand substrate, and I run a canister filter. Ended up selling 'em 'cause I couldn't deal with the stress. Captive bred are chill, just as pretty if you find a good breeder.

paddlepop wrote: ↑Wed Apr 23, 2025 10:01 pm Wild ones are legit, but man, they're pricey. I got a pair last year, and they straight up refused to eat for weeks. Tank's a 55 gallon, sand substrate, and I run a canister filter. Ended up selling 'em 'cause I couldn't deal with the stress. Captive bred are chill, just as pretty if you find a good breeder.

Yeah, wild discus can be a pain. I've had better luck with captive bred, especially from local breeders. My tank's a 90 gallon, bare bottom for easier cleaning, and I feed a mix of live blackworms and high-quality flakes. Water changes are 70% weekly, and I keep the temp at 86°F. Less drama, same beauty.

Wild discus are overrated unless you're a hardcore enthusiast. My 75 gallon's got a mix of both, and the captive bred ones are way more active. I use a sponge filter, keep the pH at 6.5, and feed a variety of frozen foods. The wild ones hide a lot, even after months of acclimation. Not worth the hassle unless you're really into 'em.

I've only kept captive bred, but they've been great. My 60 gallon's heavily planted, with a canister filter and CO2 injection. I do 40% water changes weekly, and they're thriving. Fed on a mix of pellets and frozen brine shrimp. Heard wild ones need softer water, which I can't provide, so I'm sticking with what works.

Never kept wild discus, but my captive bred are doing fine. Tank's a 50 gallon, with a hang-on-back filter and no plants. I do 30% water changes weekly, and they're growing well. Feed them flakes and occasional frozen daphnia. Not sure I'd risk the wild ones given how sensitive they're supposed to be.

Wild discus are like that high-maintenance ex. Looks great, but way too much work. My 100 gallon's got captive bred, and they're thriving. I use a sump, keep the temp at 85°F, and feed a mix of pellets and freeze-dried tubifex. Water changes are 50% weekly, and they're always out and about. Save yourself the headache.

Thanks for the input, everyone. Sounds like captive bred might be the way to go for me. I'll stick with my current setup and maybe try a few wild ones down the line if I feel like a challenge.