The Discus Book: 1

By Alastair Agutter

Full Description of Book

The Discus Book - For The Dedicated Aquarist - First Published in 1989 and Republished for all Tropical Fish Aquarists. A Best Selling Book for Fish Care and Aquariums. 

Suitable as an invaluable reference for all Tropical Fish Keepers and Hobbyists, wanting to know the tricks on having healthy thriving tropical fish free of disease. 

"Alastair Agutter began keeping and breeding tropical fish as an aquarist at the age of 9 years and been a dedicated successful British Tropical Fish Breeder and Hobbyist for over 50 years. He is still only one of a select few world-wide who have successfully bred the Discus Fish in captivity and written as a published author on the subject." 

IMPORTANT: Please Note there are no spelling or typing errors in this publication, it is "English Language British" spelt. The original photographs have now also been converted from old 35 mm to Digital. Thank You! 

The Discus Book (For the Dedicated Aquarist) first Published in 1989 has been reproduced due to continued demand based on the merits of the content as a record and historic value for all Discus Fish Lovers Around the World. With Pictures and Contributions from Dr. Eduard Schmidt-Focke, Dr Liv Singh Khasla, Paul Clayton, Jack Wattley, Nick Hulme and others. The book has some valuable changes and is an essential reference to breeding these beautiful species and keeping them successfully.

Chapters in this Book

The Discus and Its Natural Environment, The Wild Species, The Importance of the Correct Aquarium, Menu's of Live and Prepared Foods for the Discus Diet, The Requirements for Discus Filtration, The Genetics of Discus the Different Strains, Lighting and Electrical Needs, Collecting and Purchasing the Right Fish, The Correct Water and Techniques, The Successful Spawning and Breeding of Discus, Diseases and Problems, The Concluding Points.

For the Successful Breeding of All Cichlids:

The book can also be an invaluable reference and source for any Tropical Fish Hobbyist, especially Cichlid keepers, as the book covers breeding signs and behaviour patterns, the perfect water conditions and the importance of routines and keeping fish free from disease. 
 

Authors Editorial and Review

"This book has been a favourite with Tropical Fish Keepers and a Best Seller now for over 28 years. The Discus Fish, King of the Aquarium is the hardest species to breed and keep in captivity. By following the routines and methods in this book, ensures any hobbyist can keep successfully any type of tropical fish, be it a community aquarium full of tropical fishes, or seeking to specially breed cichlids and other species of interest successfully. The fish food menu's inside this book I think are very unique, where folk can make up large amounts of specially prepared food that can be frozen down and used when required, creating vast savings on fish food and providing the very best for your fish, with a high protein diet and with all the essential vitamins and nutrients, for healthy thriving fish. - Alastair R Agutter. 
 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Alastair Agutter
• Release date: Dec 30, 2013
• ISBN: 9781497578203

Alastair Agutter

Alastair Agutter Marine Biography Alastair Agutter is one of a select few world-wide to successfully breed the Discus (symphysodon) species King of the Aquarium in captivity and an authority on these tropical fish species and others, as an accomplished Best Selling Author of Specialist Books Internationally. Alastair began keeping and breeding tropical fish as a hobbyist from the age of just 9 years back in 1967 (now 50 years in 2017) and has successfully bred many species. He was one of the very first Aquarists in the United Kingdom breeding cichlids from the Great Lakes (Malawi and Tanganyika) in the early and mid-nineteen-seventies. His enthusiasm as a dedicated Aquarist continues today with a number of projects underway; including the development of new biological filtration systems (Polyatomic-ion Biological Reactors), to help improve the success rate for keeping thriving plants with tropical fish species. Other projects include breeding a number of endangered species including original strains of the symphysodon family and other smaller indigenous species native to South America mainly inhabiting the Great River Amazon. Alastair also continues today designing and making his very own aquariums and equipment for his projects, and also endeavours to write more tropical fish hobbyist reference books as a freelance full-time author, in the interests of further serving the local and wider Community Internationally.

Book preview

INTRODUCTION

In this modern day and age, we have seen the disappearance of many beautiful wild creatures that have roamed our plains and swam in our seas and rivers for thousands of years. There are very few places remaining in this World where man has not trodden, and in most cases destruction has followed in his footsteps. I feel the hope for our very own existence lies with those of us who share concern for our natural environment. We must restore the devastation and implement our technology and skills to develop and preserve the areas that are still unspoilt. Only then can man and his fellow creatures once again live harmoniously together in the world we share.

In this book, I have written about my experiences with one species, the Symphysodon Discus, which is close to my heart. The Symphysodon Discus is surrounded by so many questions, which were still unanswered at time of first publishing this book in 1989. There are many mysteries which need to be researched scientifically concerning both its natural existence in the tributaries of the wild Amazon of the Southern Americas and its life in captivity.

I am sure many of you have different views and opinions on this subject, quiet reasonably so as a contrast of views and approaches must exist to enable us to draw a balanced conclusion at the end of the day.

I would like to hope that my small contribution will be found to be of interest regarding my own experiences and findings. I wanted to write this book in the hope of inspiring others who share the same interests and the love of this beautiful species. I dedicate this book to my much loved and very patient Family, Friends and Fellow Scientists and Aquarists, in particular Jack Wattley and Dr Eduard Schmidt-Focke.

Alastair R. Agutter

The Natural Environment: Photograph Taken by Derek Treacher

The Natural Environment: Photograph Taken by Derek Treacher

CHAPTER ONE

The Discus and its Natural Environment and Origin

The Species Origin

It was in 1840 that the first Discus species was first identified in Natterer's Collection by Johanne Jacob Heckel. The fish later named in honour of Dr Heckel.

It was far later, in 1930, that the first specimens were introduced to the enthusiasts in Europe and the United States. At that time, the limited resources for the transport of live specimens from the wild made long distance travel a very traumatic experience for the fish. Some of these specimens would have been in drums for as long as several weeks. Very few of the fish imported particularly to Europe, survived this ordeal, and those that did soon died in captivity, either from disease or nervous disorders, clearly brought about by brain damage and stress.

It was as late, as the 1960's that people were better informed about the species and articles started to appear in journals. The airline connections by this time enabled fish to be transported far more easily from South American stations based in Iquitos in Peru, Leticia in Columbia and Manaus in Belem Brazil. With these changes the Europeans, in particular, could clearly see the potential of these beautiful species and gathered breath before they started their quests.

This fish's natural habitat is quite considerable in relation to the scale and size of some countries. South America, I am pleased to say, is still wild in many places: it can set your imagination afire. The fish inhabits parts of Brazil, Peru, Columbia and Venezuela where wild life is found in abundance.

To this day, there are many unanswered questions surrounding this fish and a great deal of mystery. Sadly many of the reasons that prevent us from learning far more arise from financial constraints. However, we can draw many conclusions about the species, natural environment.

The Discus Heckel, when it is in condition, is the most attractive of all Discus varieties. It is one of the most convex shaped fish, like the Angel Fish (Pterophylium Scalare), which is also a member of the Cichlid family. Both these species' origin is South America. The fish's natural design is fascinating, for it shows similar characteristics to a flat fish, but swims vertically. The question may be asked whether it is a distantly related to the flat fish family.

It is interesting to note that when the Discus is threatened by a predator in the wild, or showing panic or distress in captivity, it will lie on its side. I have had wild-caught Discus sent to me which have lain flat on the bottom of the aquarium for as many as three days, the only movement made being that of its respiratory system and pectoral fin motion.

The fish's shape enables it to be very agile and to move very quickly around tree roots, small pools, streams and fast flowing water. It is without question that all varieties of Discus encounter different chemical changes in their natural environment, although I have read on many occasions that this environment is very stable with little or no change. It is an area that is given little discussion, and yet a crucial matter, because the changes that take place in the natural environment may create and inducement for the species to reproduce. Every part of this world in which we live is seasonal. The changing environment of the Discus in the wild indicates a time to spawn, a time to grow and a time to die.

The Discus is recognised by the natives as an excellent fish to eat. This too is another interesting factor, as so many freshwater fish inedible. However, this use of the fish by the