Breeding Tank Setup
Being a small operation with big ambitions we are currently keeping 3 breeding pairs of discus. During the breeding process they are kept in 60cm x 60cm x 60cm bare bottom tanks, with the back and sides of each tank laminated pail blue.
Filtration is performed via an external sump for each tank. Each sump is placed level with the breeding tank and water flows into the sump using an aqua bridge style overflow. Flow back into the breeding tank is via a 100L / hour pump.
Each tank receives a 30% water change daily prior to the spawning event. We use tap water which spends 24 hours in a 350L tank. The water is treated for Chloramine and the PH is equal to the tap, this results in lower hatch rates but it encourages hatchings which can tolerate this PH. The water temperature is set to 32 degrees Celsius.
The breeding tanks are lit by natural light and then a distant night light once the eggs have hatched.
Grow-Out Setup
The parents are moved to a different tank to rest up and bond with other adults once the juveniles are 5mm and feeding on larger pieces of Tetra Colour Bits. Alternative foods such as Australian Blackworms and Discus Flakes are gradually introduced.
The breeding tank then becomes a grow-out tank with 50% water changes taking place daily. Depending on the number of juveniles the water level may be lowered by 50% and gradually increased to full volume as growth takes place.
Once the juveniles are 1 inch in size they are relocated to a 4 x 2 x 2ft tank. 30-50% daily water changes take place. This tank is typically filtered similar to using the Hamburg Mattenfilter method with a return pump and hosing which exits water to the opposite of the tank.
Companion fish (the cleanup crew) are added in the form of young Peppermint Plecos, with adequate hiding places. These fish have been properly quarantined and are typically relocated from the parent's main tank.
Feeding
The parents remain with the hatchlings until they break off and start to feed on their own. During this parenting phase the adults feed on Tetra Colour bits. The parents are fed four times a day and only in small amounts (1/8th of a teaspoon).
Once the juveniles begin to feed on their own they are also fed Tetra Colour Bits which is ground down like pepper. The juveniles are fed every two hours.