Discus are addictive.

I just grabbed a baby yellow marlboro from Haley. He's still kind of pale, but I'm anxious to see how he colors up as he grows.

It's interesting to watch these guys socially. When I had four discus...the blue diamond and the leopard were the tank thugs. Just dominant & pushy. At that time the red dragon was the punching bag.

So when I added the white diamond (at the time the smallest fish in the tank by a longshot) - the dynamics changed completely. The leopard & blue dimaond "adopted" the white diamond - protecting him. The previously timid dragon was always trying to shove the new white diamond around.

So now I add this little guy. The blue diamond (as you'll see in the pics) is again acting motherly toward the tiny new addition...but for the most part no one is picking on him. Maybe because he's so small??

The white diamond hid for about a week when I added him. This yellow marlboro (who hid under wood most of the time at the store) doesn't seem to be shy or scared at all. He's been cruising the tank since I relesed him.

Anyway here are the pics. First...some pics of all the curiosity while I was dripping him. (Note the blue diamond is right next to the bag in every pic)...










And a few of the little spud alone...




I'll put a few of the less-edited, no (c) pics in the "fish pictures" forum later, too.

Melohead, very nice pics and nice addition. I may need to get some tips on picture taking from you.

Jr.

I can try to help. I've learned a few things by screwing up an awful lot of pictures.

Thank God for digital cams. If I'd have had to pay for film for as many shots as I screw up, I'd be living in a tent!

While you're bringing it up, maybe we could start a post in the pictures section on tips etc.?

WHat QT procedures are you following?

Back then - I didn't quarentine at all - just got lucky.

Now, I get all my discus from a guy I know personally who imports & breeds. Every fish in his fish room is quarentined for several months. I've never gotten a sick fish through him.

Ok,

Now I wont try to tell you how to suck eggs, but even though this other guy has qt'd them, when you introduce a new fish to your stock you still run the risk of cross contamination. They can still transmit pathogens to eachother.
QT for me lasts for 6 weeks minimum. In that time I can observe the new fish, see how it acts, and treat with a de-wormer, I always do this. I will then slowly change the water conditions that the fish has come from, to my water conditions. After 2 weeks observation I will select what we call a 'sacrifical lamb' , a discus on the lowest end of the heirachy and introduce it to the qt tank. Again observe any changes in behaviour and look for any sickness on either fish, treat accordingly. After at least another 4 weeks of observation, you can then think about introducing your new fish to your old stock.

This is how many of my friends handle new fish, and fingers crossed I have never had any problems.
hth
Steve