27 replies to this topic

[tha_krust]

altho

Edited by tha_krust, 19 April 2011 - 08:56 PM.

[choombies]

I like both.
I have never kept discus because ive heard all the stories about how hard they are to keep alive, how hard they are to breed and the fact that most tanks you see them in they are fairly stationary.
That said i really like the look of some of the discus i have seen they are pretty spectacular....but then comes the whole man made fish issue etc i consider myself an extreme purist of natural species.
Just because a fish is cheap doesnt mean there is anything wrong with it?? Could just mean alot of people like them therefore alot of people breed them??
Im sure somebody paid more than $4 for an electric yellow once upon a time!!

[Fox]

My love of Malawi's started years ago. Why do I like them?
They are always active, have plenty of character, plenty of color, (some) are easy to breed, there is a range of sizes & shapes and plenty more reasons.
BUT........
Over the years I've had my fair share of other species including Discus & CA / SA Cichlids.
I enjoy keeping them all but always find myself going back to Malawi's.

[golden_dase]

I like most types of fish and have kept various species in the past.
But the last 12 months or so, I liked keeping and breeding the rarer Malawis (well, except for the Chilingali which turned out to be Cobue. Shut up Gibbs! lol )

However, in future I might try my hand at breeding marine fish. lol

[the pulpican man]

americans. more personality, funner to feed and they're an excuse to get a bigger tank haha

[Dr_Pat]

Africans have the best colour you can get without going for marines.....also seem way hardier and have HEAPS of personality/are way easier to mix.

(Africans FTW)

[choombies]

i'll tell u why after

Whens after??

[Den]

Whats popular in the hobby comes down alot to whats available at the LFS, because the shops need to cram fish in order to be profitable, Africans and other fish that can tollerate these cramped conditions show up nice in the shop tanks and become even easier to sell, on the other hand fish like Central Americans that wont do well in cramped conditions are often looking in very poor condition making them even less appealing. Colourwise central Americans both in perfect conditions can leave Africans for dead and the new age hybrids are even now comparible in colour to marine fish, its just you rarely see people keeping them to the care and standards provided for other fish.

South Americans, theres a bit of a misconception that they are harder to keep, well they need different conditions to malawis to prosper, but they arent any harder, you just need to get the right info from successful keepers and follow it.

Most Africans are cheap, colourful, easy to keep and breed, which is why they are popular, theyre great just like all the other fish in our magnificent hobby.

Cheers
Den

Edited by Den, 08 April 2011 - 12:29 PM.

[tha_krust]

Whens after??

i cant remember what i was going to say, i had a reason but cant remember it..i'll fix that bit

[danotaylor]

I love em all...I have kept & bred Americans, central & south (including many discus)...I now keep Africans (mixed rift)...I think i will always swing back & forth cause I cannot get more tanks...I love change & diversity...for now I love the high population all male African display...very colourful & active...but change is always be as good as a holiday...I am bound to go back & forth forever

[knock]

i cant remember what i was going to say, i had a reason but cant remember it..i'll fix that bit

lol....i was hangin for a deep and meaningful response from you...

[choombies]

I too was waiting for the pro's of keeping discus...
Guess there are none!!

[Fox]

I too was waiting for the pro's of keeping discus...
Guess there are none!!

They make good frizbee's? jks

[knock]

They make good frizbee's? jks

[tranced]

awww tru!!

[tha_krust]

i cant remember what i was going to say, i had a reason but cant remember it..i'll fix that bit

i remember but cant say because i'm not a sponsor and commercial quantities and blah blah blah rules. but will say, yes it does all depend on whats readily available. discus could be about to get more affordable.

but am still interested in why or how people choose their fish

Edited by tha_krust, 12 April 2011 - 07:48 PM.

[terboz123]

At the moment i keep malawi's.

IM currently stuck what to do with my 5x2x2 whether to turn into a male malawi display, a planted or american tank....


americans intrigue me, but i do to a degree find them odd looking. but im starting to research some more into them.

knock: good to meet you on Sunday, hope those albinos do well!

brett

[gibbs]

i remember but cant say because i'm not a sponsor and commercial quantities and blah blah blah rules. but will say, yes it does all depend on whats readily available. discus could be about to get more affordable.

but am still interested in why or how people choose their fish

I think i know what you have to say. It has something to do with Discus keepers getting ripped off and the profit there is to be made importing these hybrid fish

[Fox]

IMO if Discus were cheaper, they would be a main stay in the hobby, BUT......... I think the scare factor is still there from how Discus use to be VERY hard to keep.

[fourdapostle]

most still are very hard to keep, (common keep the scare tactic going we don't want everyone keeping them), they could become like Africans, a couple of cents each...LOL