Q - When did you begin to raise the Discus?

A - I have begun to raise some young Discus in the 1966.
 

Q - What strains were available on the market at that time?

A - Brown were available and also a particular variety of Green that today I have no more found in the hatcheries. The particularity of that strain was that the adult females were very bigger than the males.

Q - Why do you raise captured wild Discus now?

A - In the past years many breeders, including myself, have mistaken raising Discus without knowing their genealogical lines. Since some year there is the availability of captured wild Discus of good quality on the market. It's too much easier to start with a stock with a known genealogical line. It's very important to have an "identity card" of the bred Discus. In this way, it's possible to check out the respect of the characters in the following crossbreeds.

For example, the Red Turquoise available on the market today: it's not possible to know its genealogical line, it's not possible to fix any character.
 

Q - Do these wild Discus need a special tanks' set up?

A - Tanks without bottom material and with some peat-bog roots. Nothing else. Only a lot of time to acclimatize them and a lot of patience.
 

Q - What foods are in the wild Discus diet?

A - When the wilds arrive in my tanks, the first food I give them is frozen larvas of Chironomus of excellent quality. Immediately after I give frozen glass-worms and a granulated one of good quality.

After 3 weeks using the granulated food, I increase the percentage of the same. After two months the diet consists for 3/ 4 of granulated and for 1/ 4 of frozen chironomus and glass-worms . I no more use beefheart and frozen brain shrimps. Very often these foods are causes of problems. Particularly the frozen brain shrimps, if not of excellent quality, causes intestinal problems.

When the fishes manifest darker colours, the problem is already present and it is too late for intervening, so it's better to prevent.

Q - Have you had problems of diseases?

A - No, I have not problems of diseases. I follow this diet since some time and I have surely less problems today as to when I used beefheart and frozen brain shrimps.
 

Q - What is your opinion about the future of raising Discus hobby?

A - Nobody could know for certain. Each breeder can do something for the future of the Discus. If the breeder is on the correct road there will be a good future, otherwise it will be difficult to have still the pleasure of raising these fishes.

Q - Are you developing new strains in your hatchery?

A - The answer is yes and not at the same time. The first idea is not to create new strains, but to get fishes being in perfect health, crossing captured discus.

It is not possible to get new strains after only one generation. It is necessary to stabilize the pairings for 4 or 5 generations and then it's possible to obtain something new which continue to work on.
 

Q - What is your definition of a beautiful Discus?

A - It is really difficult. It's necessary to look at the wild Discus and remember that the first fish called Discus by Mr. Heckel was a fish with a big and perfectly round body. When you look at a fish called "Discus" it must be in good health, strong, with a proportionate and round body. After, it'ìs necessary to look at the color of the body, of the eyes ecc.

These are the most important aspects to keep in mind when you are purchasing a Discus; especially who begins to raise young Discus must do this.
 

Q - Have you any advice for beginners?

A - Before buying some Discus , it's necessary to think over us at least two or more days. Be sure the fishes you want to buy are in perfect health health, avoiding to bring home home of the sick subjects; it will be very difficult to take care of them without an adequate experience. My advice is to address to reliable retailers. This is the first serious problem for the beginner. Really few beginners are able to understand if a Discus in the retailer's tank is in good health.

Everybody can have the opportunity of raising Discus. It is not necessary to buy competition winners: it's enough to find good quality Discus and in good health for making a good start and receive lot of satisfactions from this hobby.