Suggestions on home-made Discus food?

[sushiray]

I just got my stendkers in last friday. I need to get better pics to post.

But they are not eating them picky brats!

Flakes, pellets, & frozen brine.

I have a recipe that is quite a mix to make from my seller.

wondering if anyone has other recipes.

also, earthworms fresh after a good rain off my lawn? yes? how to feed (freeze & chip/cut/slice)?

also, fresh beef or chicken liver?

thks all!

[hillbilly]

I think Hans feeds a lean ground beef/fish mixture. I hardly ever use mixes. I find that mixes make a huge mess in the tanks. I usually feed beef heart, shrimp, salmon, live blackworms, frozen bloodworms, Hikari Discus Bio Gold, using a different food at each feeding, and no more than the fish can clean up in 30 minutes or so. This cuts way down on the mess. I would suggest that you get some frozen bloodworms, live blackworms, or frozen beef heart to get them to start feeding. If you use earthworms, I would chop them up into bite sized pieces, but I would not use them from your lawn if it has been treated with any chemical or fertilizer.

[sushiray]

I think Hans feeds a lean ground beef/fish mixture. I hardly ever use mixes. I find that mixes make a huge mess in the tanks. I usually feed beef heart, shrimp, salmon, live blackworms, frozen bloodworms, Hikari Discus Bio Gold, using a different food at each feeding, and no more than the fish can clean up in 30 minutes or so. This cuts way down on the mess. I would suggest that you get some frozen bloodworms, live blackworms, or frozen beef heart to get them to start feeding. If you use earthworms, I would chop them up into bite sized pieces, but I would not use them from your lawn if it has been treated with any chemical or fertilizer.

thks Hill, u r right about hans special chow chow mix! 6-7 lbs for each feeding for all his tanks!

so when u say u feed b/heart, shrimp/salmon - what form are they in? frozen, fresh, flake or pellets, etc.?

on live blackworms I seem to recall someone saying they didn;t prefer due to foreign organisms may be in them.

what is diff. between blackworms & bloodwarms?

frozen beef heart - do you me like from the supermarket/butcher or from LFS? if from mkt how do you serve? thaw cut & feed or chip/slice & feed?

thanks always for your insight & helpfulness!

[sushiray]

If you use earthworms, I would chop them up into bite sized pieces, but I would not use them from your lawn if it has been treated with any chemical or fertilizer.

I agree not from lawns with chemical treatments. I think mine is untreated so that's why we have so much crabgrass! when you say chop into bite-size pcs - fresh chopped & blood & all or freeze/chop?

update: my stendker gang are free swimming but occasionally will cower in the corners or hide behind my driftwood/bridge ornament. & I have witnessed some foraging the floor & attempting to eat - some spit out the flakes, some spit out the softening pellets. but at least they have been "outed" - but they sure do get spooked easily.

WC tonite. that will be an experience. thks again. Ray

[dwilder]

earthworms live just chop to bite size

[sushiray]

earthworms live just chop to bite size

LIVE?! guess I have 2get over my squeamishness! what about the blood & oozing?

[dwilder]

not really that much blood just use a sharp knife and it will be fine

[sushiray]

not really that much blood just use a sharp knife and it will be fine

thks will let u know if I faint or not! my kids will "love" it!

have u used E/W's b-4?

[Westie]

I used to use Wattleys recipe which was beefheart mixed with fresh garlic. It was supposed to deter and cure any type of internal parasites which is one of the biggest discus killers(black discus disease). Unfortunately it became to much of a hassle for me and threw the pH levels way off. Currently I feed a mix of flakes, discus flakes and brine flakes, and occasionally feed frozen blood worms which they love.

[dwilder]

yes i have used earthworms before they are an excellent food

[apisto]

you can use earthworms but put them in some kitchen paper towel and pop them into the fridge over night. That way you'll get the cr*p out of them.

Beefheart mixes are easy to make. All the hardware you need is a beef grinder and a sharp knife. I use a filleting knife. Take two beefhearts and cut the fat, arteries and sinews from it. If you can get turkey heart use this instead. 6-8 cloves to garlic, 2lbs of fish ( I get a mixture of cod, salmon, etc.) 1lb of spinach, 2 eggs yolks. You can add some vitamins if you like. I also add some cod liver oil (2-3 table spoons, just make sure it's not flavoured). Everyhting takes two trip through the meet grinder set on fine. Job done.

[sushiray]

you can use earthworms but put them in some kitchen paper towel and pop them into the fridge over night. That way you'll get the cr*p out of them.

Beefheart mixes are easy to make. All the hardware you need is a beef grinder and a sharp knife. I use a filleting knife. Take two beefhearts and cut the fat, arteries and sinews from it. If you can get turkey heart use this instead. 6-8 cloves to garlic, 2lbs of fish ( I get a mixture of cod, salmon, etc.) 1lb of spinach, 2 eggs yolks. You can add some vitamins if you like. I also add some cod liver oil (2-3 table spoons, just make sure it's not flavoured). Everyhting takes two trip through the meet grinder set on fine. Job done.

thks for the feedback. I'm a little leary now on E/W cuz can't be sure if they came from my lawn (non-poison) vs. neighbors. so will refrain.

as for the mixes - I lack the meat grinder. a blender won't do?

here's a link I found from a vendor:

http://www.rockymountaindiscus.com/Discus_fish_food_recipe.htm

[pinkertd]

If they are being finicky, they will not turn down frozen bloodworms. Or live white worms. Mine turn their noses up at beefheart mixes and earthworms....and if I can chop an earthworm ....ewwwww....you can too. White worms are very easy to culture. I sell some of mine when my cultures get overcrowded. If you're ever interested in a culture, let me know!
Debbi

[sushiray]

If they are being finicky, they will not turn down frozen bloodworms. Or live white worms. Mine turn their noses up at beefheart mixes and earthworms....and if I can chop an earthworm ....ewwwww....you can too. White worms are very easy to culture. I sell some of mine when my cultures get overcrowded. If you're ever interested in a culture, let me know!
Debbi


Hey Deb,

well, mine are eating flakes at least. they didn't seem to like the SF Bay frozen brine - but now I just threw in the frozen chunk instead of thawing in water & they eat it. guess you can only stay starved so long & be so picky so long.

they also ate live blackworms with no sweat. but this can be expensive so I will use this as a treat.

I also just picked up 4oz frozen bloodworms on sale at petsmart. you say you think they should take to this no prob, right?! will let you know when I start to feed them this.

I just ordered 2 2lb bags of flake from www.kensfish.com supposedly formulated for discus for a great price. so if they are eating my topfin & tetramin flakes, they should go to town on kens.

yes, I would like to know more about your whiteworm culturing. how do you culture them so that you have a steady supply? that would be great. how much do you sell them for?

thks so much again for your feedback, ray :)

[pinkertd]

They are easy ray, they are kept in moist soil in a lidded plastic container. They have to be kept in a cool, dark place. I have my containers in my basement year round. They feed on bread, oatmeal, even fish flakes, and multiply readily. Not dirty. I feed my cultures 2X a week and that's all the maintenance unless the soil begins to get too wet. Then I refresh the soil a bit. I gather worms that are on the top feeding, using tweezers and feed all of my tanks twice a week. All the fish love them including my fry! The cultures are around $20 plus shipping but they cannot be shipped in the heat. Instant death.

Be careful with blackworms, they need to be from a reliable source and very clean.

[sushiray]

They are easy ray, they are kept in moist soil in a lidded plastic container. They have to be kept in a cool, dark place. I have my containers in my basement year round. They feed on bread, oatmeal, even fish flakes, and multiply readily. Not dirty. I feed my cultures 2X a week and that's all the maintenance unless the soil begins to get too wet. Then I refresh the soil a bit. I gather worms that are on the top feeding, using tweezers and feed all of my tanks twice a week. All the fish love them including my fry! The cultures are around $20 plus shipping but they cannot be shipped in the heat. Instant death.

Be careful with blackworms, they need to be from a reliable source and very clean.

thks. can you PM me with your info.

blackworms! oh no! :eek: I bought from LFS - how do I tell reliable or not? they were all lively in their refrigerated container. told me to clean their water & refresh with cool water & I can keep it refrigerated.

is there something in the portion I can see to look out for?

already gave them 2 feedings. what are the risks I should be aware of?

should we also be cautious if LFS sells live bloodworms?

what is the diff. between black & blood worms?

thks again, ray

[pinkertd]

They need to be fresh and the LFS should be rinsing them when they first receive them. They come with leeches and detritus. And I believe feeding discus blackworms going bad could kill the discus. So clean them a lot! Here's what I found on the best cleaning and keeping procedures:

The water needs changed atleast twice a day. When you go to feed the worms, put them in a plastic bag and fill half full with water and shake them, then pour out the water and refill and do it again. Most of the time it takes about 3-4 times and the water will be clear. Then put the worms back into the holder and fill with water and pick out the leeaches and feed a small portion to your fish.

[golfhacker]

Here are some recipes you can try:

http://www.discushatchery.com/food.html

http://www.simplydiscus.com/library/foods_nutritions/recipes/index.shtml

http://www.discusfarm.us/dffood.htm

http://www.discusnada.org/discus/foods.html

[hillbilly]

Blackworms are fine if they are wiggling. :D I've fed them to discus for years. A great food. As long as they are no dead ones in the bunch, you're fine. Dead ones quickly spoil and kill the good ones. You can tell dead or dying ones by the color. They turn really pale when they are dying. Toss those out and the rest should be fine. Be sure to rinse them daily until clean water runs off.

[sushiray]

Blackworms are fine if they are wiggling. :D I've fed them to discus for years. A great food. As long as they are no dead ones in the bunch, you're fine. Dead ones quickly spoil and kill the good ones. You can tell dead or dying ones by the color. They turn really pale when they are dying. Toss those out and the rest should be fine. Be sure to rinse them daily until clean water runs off.

done. all finito. they ravaged them soon as they were tossed in. kept them clean clear water didn't notice any foreign invaders. so hope all was cool. I have the frozen bloodworms they go crazy also. thk goodness they're all eating.

someday I will attempt to make a home batch.

thks all again for your helpful feedback!

[apisto]

@sushiray,
a food blender won't do. You will need a grinder. I am using a hand operated one not one of those fancy electrical ones.
Whatever you do, do not feed them bloodworm on a regular basis. No nutrional value, high risk of dragging in a disease and your fish will turn into junkies for it.

White worms are fine but not really a stable food since your fishes' liver will turn into blobs of fat.

[brianhau1]

you can use blood worms

[sushiray]

with all the feedback on live black or blood worms, I decided mines don't need to be spoiled.

but is SF Bay Sally frozen products ok? & is every other day ok?

after 2wks my stendker discus are all eating great, not so skittish, just got over Ich, water params good (ph 6.6 Am/Ni 0 Na 5), temps 86, water crystal clear.

btw - earthworms a no go. too tough for them to eat.

thks all again.

[apisto]

after 2wks my stendker discus are all eating great, not so skittish, just got over Ich, water params good (ph 6.6 Am/Ni 0 Na 5), temps 86, water crystal clear.

btw - earthworms a no go. too tough for them to eat.

thks all again.


Don't use the biggest worms you can find. I have nice small ones from my compost heap. My discus are even eating them whole.

Another good food is frozen brineshrimp. Feed them live ones by all means if you want to go through the trouble.

[yoganathan_kn]

hi
try to use fly maggots
the breeders in india use it to get size

[sushiray]

hi
try to use fly maggots
the breeders in india use it to get size

I was already squeamish with earthworms, now you suggest maggots??!! gee, just got rid of some that were breeding in my garbage can (dog poo clean up with paper towels) & I just drowned & washed them away in the yard. but aren't these also too big & too chewy??

[apisto]

nice little pinkies not the fat white ones. Even though I wouldn't use them. Too great a risk of dragging something unwelcome in.

When keeping discus the first thing you need to make sure of after getting your water parameters right, is to supply high protein food (beefheart is about 60% protein) and minimize the risk of dragging a disease in with the food.

Blood worm are fed with chicken manure. Make your mind up if you want to feed them considering the protein content is just about in double figures and your fish will get hooked on them.

[migetguy]

if you want mix recipes go here
http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?t=24193

these gave me some ideas to put in with my beefheart mix

[migetguy]

and earthworms might have parasites and i wouldn't try it

[migetguy]

i suggest frozen food dry foods and your own beefheart mixes

[sushiray]

thks all! all sounds good. just thinking tho making one's own mix is a lot of work! takes time away from watching them & posting on MFK forum!!

:=)

[apisto]

and earthworms might have parasites and i wouldn't try it
Once you purge them over night they are fine

[hillbilly]

and earthworms might have parasites and i wouldn't try it

I wouldn't be worried about parasites from earthworms. I would just be sure they came from a worm farm free from pesticides, and not from someone's lawn that may have been treated with chemicals.

[dwilder]

you dont have to worry about parasites you dont even have to purge

[fishyjoe26]

http://forum.simplydiscus.com/forumdisplay.php?f=33
http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?t=24193

that should help you out 100%.

[sushiray]

http://forum.simplydiscus.com/forumdisplay.php?f=33
http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?t=24193

that should help you out 100%.

thx FJ!

[fishyjoe26]

thx FJ!

you're welcome.:)