I've kept discus for seven years and I've always noticed that the smallest fish in the tank tends not to grow much. I had no idea this was an actual thing, thank you !!!
Dude! I appreciate the information, I learn more off your channel than any other. I even watched the Spanish ones, and I don't speak Spanish...and I don't even keep discuss, lol. Great content, I just relate the information to the fish that I do keep. Keep making videos, keep up the good fight! You are not falling on deaf ears.
I rewatch his videos just to memorize his decade(s) of experience. Thank you Gabe you make me feel confident in keeping Discus. I’m 6 months in and my 6 discus are thriving! I have two confirmed pairs already(they eat them after hatching ) 🙂
Gabe you are the man sir. I have been a long time fan of the channel and I called the store today and spoke with you personally. I did not expect that. I can’t say enough about Jack Wattley Discus A+++ fish and customer service. Lifetime customer here. This business has been around 25+ years for a reason.
I have always Wondered for many years If there was such a thing as Growth Inhibiting Hormones In Discus or any other Species for that matter. Even in the vast numbers in literatures It rarely mentioned( if any) that there was/wasn't any such Phenomena existed. Now that I am more seasoned giving the 20+ years of keeping Discus and many other Cichlids, now It totally makes more sense that this phenomenon indeed Does exists. I have battled Like so many other hobbyist with Stunting and very abnormal growth rates In Discus, even though All my Discus got the same Daily Maintenance and care. I have had some I could not figure out why they weren't growing like the other Fish that were housed with. I am a firm Believer That Growth- Inhibiting Hormones Does Exist. Thank you Gabe for the Very informative video on this Subject! Jason
Have you ever wondered why this mythical 'toxin' is never mentioned in specialised literature on discus or other fish? Because it doesnt exist! There is absolutely no scientific evidence that something like that exists. Ask any fish biologist and they will laugh at his fairytale. LOL!!! Your smaller fish grow slower because larger fish prevent from access to food. There is always pecking order in discus groups and new fish are always at the bottom of it.
No need to wonder. It's not an edible fish, therefore no research money is spent on it. If you don't agree create your own video and enlighten, and prove us all wrong. In the meantime, you don't like the evidence after 28 years of applied evidence. Don't watch. Gabe Posada
@@JackWattleyDiscus There is no lack of research on Somatostatin (growth inhibitor hormone). I can think of 30+ large-N studies. None of them proves the existence of a 'toxin' that a fish can release to influence growth of other fish in its environment. GIH is secreted to affect the growth of a specimen that produces it. Other specimen in the same system may choose to release it as well, including younger fish. It is not a matter of me watching or not watching your videos, it is a matter of spreading a myth, which sadly far too many people prone to believe in. There is also no need for me to prove 'you all wrong': science has done it decades ago and any ichthyologist will confirm.
Gabe your extensive experience dedication and love of discus. Shines through. All your advice is sound. Balanced with common sense. Jack Watley made a great choice in putting you in charge of his legacy.
Excellent video. Yes I’ve known about this for years. I used to breed Angel fish and had to separate the larger fish so the smaller siblings growth would take off. In spawns with double black angels this was very important. Thank you and I look forward to your next video (videos).
Have you ever considered that this happens because larger fish prevent smaller from access to food? Which is called natural selection. There is no fairytale 'toxin', ask any ichtiologist and they will laugh at the very thought of it!!!
ive heard of this with gold fish many years ago. Regular water changes are key to growth even if you get them all at once or for some reason have only one. Its a natural mechanism to keep them from outgrowing their environment.
I'm really glad that Cory from aquarium co op did videos with you. I've learned so much more about a fish I'll most likely never keep. Bigger fish aren't my thing,but gosh are these fish are beautiful!
I just got my first discus and I will keep them from now on..It is my favorite fish ever and not as hard to keep as everyone acts he is in a 46gal bf right now either a 55 or 75 next. I say try it man I love my cichlids
Don't apologize, mate! I really appreciate every minute you put in. Covid also bit me in the butt for 2.5 years, just before I was heading to SEA to start breeding myself. Finally back here and ready to go. Thanks for everything you do, and best wishes. Will no doubt be in touch. Cheers, Gabe.
This was amazing I experienced this and wondered why this happened. I have separated my smaller ones right away after knowing this hoping they grow now
Hello Gabe amazing video, long time ago you were going to make a video on how to prep vitamins for discus, I hope you can get time to show us how. Big hugh my friend.
Definitely seen dramatic difference in growth for my discus w/r to water changes. How does this work evolutionarily for fish that live in large bodies of water though? I've heard about this effect in goldfish because they've been kept in small containers for thousands of years. But wouldn't any hormone the fish release into the water dilute too quickly to have any effect on other fish?
Great info as usual , Gabe I gotta tell you that I have gained & "retained" more knowledge from every single video and I am always appreciative for new content , so thank you for EVERYTHING YOU DO ! I wish you all the best this Christmas and for your family & for your talented staff @ the hatcheries 💙🌿 Take some extra quality time to really recharge & take care 🪐
Always knew not to mix small and large discus together but never knew about this hormone thing. Thought the bigger ones would bully the smaller ones and they won't eat properly and wouldn't grow. Thank you.
And you are correct. There is no scientific evidence at all in support of that mythical 'toxin'. It simply doesnt exist. This is just a ridiculous fairytale, perpetuated by people who lack even basic familiarity with animal biology!!
Wow. I’m so glad this was brought to the light. I had this problem with some fish but I didn’t understand what was going on as far as hormones or toxins go.
It happens to every fish except for guppies for some damn reason even mollies swordtails and platies have this problem it affects bettas goldfish angelfish zebra danios tetras but guppies are the hardiest I give them that
Great videos and a nice refresher on tossing in small with large discus. I'm loving them Altums in the background. Sad I had to sell my group of St. Isabelle Altums a few years back but I think I will be reaching out to you soon after I get my 75 gallon tank set up again.
Gabe, thanks for your wealth of knowledge on best practices for raising and keeping discus, seriously thinking of restarting a tank and it definitely will be discus, keep up the good work.
wow... excellent material. Didn't know that, but indeed in my water tank I have pair of snakeskins, bought together , where one is now twice as big as the other one. Funny thing is that its the smaller one eating the most of food and still size difference is not changing at all :-) greetings from Poland!
How take care Younger 2.5 to 3.0 inch to get them to full size and colorful awesome videos I'm learning a lot keep doing what u do hope u can do 1 por week 🙏
I'm new to discus, I bought 4 about the same time and then added 2 more a few months later, I don't think they were more than 1.5 inches less than the 4 I fist bought. BUT, now 2 years later the last 2 I bought are smaller than the first 4 I bought.....after see your video it now makes sense....I have another tank I could put the 2 smaller ones in, do you think it would make a difference?
Gabe great videos as usual thanks 🙏🏻 I think I’m having this problem I have about 15 discus in a 150 gallon I bought them all about the same size 3 months ago about 7 discus haven’t grown at all There eating well 4 to 5 times a day beefheart and live black worms and brine shrimp some doubled and even almost tripled in size and the rest are staying small even though they eat like pigs. My question is that I don’t have room for another fish tank if I leave them in there with the bigger discus will they eventually grow or they will stay small forever ?
Hola te hablo desde argentina,tengo discus y tengo problemas con paracitos de agallas como es tratamiento efectivo para controlar, nosé como se usa el praziquantel
Hey, this video is fantastic! Immediately explained what was going on in my tank. I'm just wondering how long these toxins remain in the water after you take the largest fishes out? Cheers mate 💙
Glad to see you doing video again, This was another great informative video and I can say I have learned many helpful things since I have been watching your vids. Thank you Gabe for sharing your time and knowledge with all of us.
Hi, it's a very true information ! With daphnia , it's the same phenomenon ! I spoke with you long time ago , you were saying , that you were plaining to move . Are you moving again or it's old video ? Montreal, Canada.
This phenomena is undoubtedly true. I wonder if weekly water changes of 30% or more ("dilution is the solution to pollution") would help combat this phenomena - or if activated charcoal would be effective in removing the hormones from the water column? There's always more questions than answers...but that's what makes it interesting!!
thank you for the vid. have you found any treatment to remove hormones? maybe charcoal or some other filter or a chemical treatment like hydrogen peroxide?
Man i wonder if this is why my jack dempsey won't grow, had it for more than a year and a half now and be barely is 5 inches. He's been living with bigger fish, first a green terror and now with my 10" Oscar and 6" vieja
Amazing video Gabe as always. You give such great info in such great detail. Thanks so much, your just a joy to have in the hobby, especially when it comes to discus.
One subject I’ve wanted to see discussed/studied is the presence of growth inhibiting toxins in fish related to water changes/flushing those out of the water column. I’ve always heard that fish excrete growth inhibiting hormones into the water.
I've kept discus for seven years and I've always noticed that the smallest fish in the tank tends not to grow much. I had no idea this was an actual thing, thank you !!!
Sir, as far as I am concerned you are a National Treasure to the hobby, if there even is such a thing. If not, there should be!
Dude! I appreciate the information, I learn more off your channel than any other. I even watched the Spanish ones, and I don't speak Spanish...and I don't even keep discuss, lol. Great content, I just relate the information to the fish that I do keep. Keep making videos, keep up the good fight! You are not falling on deaf ears.
I rewatch his videos just to memorize his decade(s) of experience. Thank you Gabe you make me feel confident in keeping Discus. I’m 6 months in and my 6 discus are thriving! I have two confirmed pairs already(they eat them after hatching ) 🙂
He has a Spanish channel?
Gabe you are the man sir. I have been a long time fan of the channel and I called the store today and spoke with you personally. I did not expect that. I can’t say enough about Jack Wattley Discus A+++ fish and customer service. Lifetime customer here. This business has been around 25+ years for a reason.
Thank you.
@@JackWattleyDiscus Lookin g to order some discus fish from you are they available? I like blues reds and yellows
@@americangoldking yes. Many are being updated this weekend
@@JackWattleyDiscus Thank you how can I order them I'd like to get five
@@americangoldking www.wattleydiscus.com
I have always Wondered for many years If there was such a thing as Growth Inhibiting Hormones In Discus or any other Species for that matter. Even in the vast numbers in literatures It rarely mentioned( if any) that there was/wasn't any such Phenomena existed. Now that I am more seasoned giving the 20+ years of keeping Discus and many other Cichlids, now It totally makes more sense that this phenomenon indeed Does exists. I have battled Like so many other hobbyist with Stunting and very abnormal growth rates In Discus, even though All my Discus got the same Daily Maintenance and care. I have had some I could not figure out why they weren't growing like the other Fish that were housed with. I am a firm Believer That Growth- Inhibiting Hormones Does Exist. Thank you Gabe for the Very informative video on this Subject! Jason
Enjoy
Imo that's why you never see big fish in small lakes.
Have you ever wondered why this mythical 'toxin' is never mentioned in specialised literature on discus or other fish? Because it doesnt exist! There is absolutely no scientific evidence that something like that exists. Ask any fish biologist and they will laugh at his fairytale. LOL!!!
Your smaller fish grow slower because larger fish prevent from access to food. There is always pecking order in discus groups and new fish are always at the bottom of it.
No need to wonder. It's not an edible fish, therefore no research money is spent on it. If you don't agree create your own video and enlighten, and prove us all wrong. In the meantime, you don't like the evidence after 28 years of applied evidence. Don't watch.
Gabe Posada
@@JackWattleyDiscus There is no lack of research on Somatostatin (growth inhibitor hormone). I can think of 30+ large-N studies. None of them proves the existence of a 'toxin' that a fish can release to influence growth of other fish in its environment. GIH is secreted to affect the growth of a specimen that produces it. Other specimen in the same system may choose to release it as well, including younger fish.
It is not a matter of me watching or not watching your videos, it is a matter of spreading a myth, which sadly far too many people prone to believe in.
There is also no need for me to prove 'you all wrong': science has done it decades ago and any ichthyologist will confirm.
Being new to keeping Discus, this is a no BS channel with regard to the needed info to keep these fish.
Gabe your extensive experience dedication and love of discus. Shines through. All your advice is sound. Balanced with common sense. Jack Watley made a great choice in putting you in charge of his legacy.
Wow this explains so much it's not only with discus our goldfish got effected by these hormones smh thanks for such an informative video
Can you please make a video on why discus become shy and hide . What can be done to remove their shyness and become bold and responsive.
Thank you! This information is so useful. I wonder if it’s the same with Angelfish?
Discus is one fish I've never tried but the more I learn from you, the more I think I will add them to my fish room some day. Thanks for the videos.
Excellent video. Yes I’ve known about this for years. I used to breed Angel fish and had to separate the larger fish so the smaller siblings growth would take off. In spawns with double black angels this was very important. Thank you and I look forward to your next video (videos).
Have you ever considered that this happens because larger fish prevent smaller from access to food? Which is called natural selection. There is no fairytale 'toxin', ask any ichtiologist and they will laugh at the very thought of it!!!
ive heard of this with gold fish many years ago. Regular water changes are key to growth even if you get them all at once or for some reason have only one. Its a natural mechanism to keep them from outgrowing their environment.
I'm really glad that Cory from aquarium co op did videos with you. I've learned so much more about a fish I'll most likely never keep. Bigger fish aren't my thing,but gosh are these fish are beautiful!
I just got my first discus and I will keep them from now on..It is my favorite fish ever and not as hard to keep as everyone acts he is in a 46gal bf right now either a 55 or 75 next. I say try it man I love my cichlids
Gabe you are genius.
Now going to have a look on my fish tanks as I have no intention to see owls 🦉 growing instead discus. 🤪
Don't apologize, mate! I really appreciate every minute you put in. Covid also bit me in the butt for 2.5 years, just before I was heading to SEA to start breeding myself. Finally back here and ready to go. Thanks for everything you do, and best wishes. Will no doubt be in touch. Cheers, Gabe.
You are awesome!!!! I'm glad I found you❤❤❤🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟
Great video Gabe. Much love from DFW
This was amazing I experienced this and wondered why this happened. I have separated my smaller ones right away after knowing this hoping they grow now
Hello Gabe amazing video, long time ago you were going to make a video on how to prep vitamins for discus, I hope you can get time to show us how. Big hugh my friend.
Definitely seen dramatic difference in growth for my discus w/r to water changes. How does this work evolutionarily for fish that live in large bodies of water though? I've heard about this effect in goldfish because they've been kept in small containers for thousands of years. But wouldn't any hormone the fish release into the water dilute too quickly to have any effect on other fish?
Omg I wished I knew this information😅 it all makes sense now. I have 2 small discus. I love them all the same, though.
Curious to know about the setups of your new hatchery. Please video tape while setting up things as much as you can.
Cant wait to see the new space and content
thank you for all your knowledge..Love from Greece
🙏🏻
This was great learned something new now I know why I have 10 around same size & 3 small ones that won't grow
Great info as usual , Gabe I gotta tell you that I have gained & "retained" more knowledge from every single video and I am always appreciative for new content , so thank you for EVERYTHING YOU DO ! I wish you all the best this Christmas and for your family & for your talented staff @ the hatcheries 💙🌿 Take some extra quality time to really recharge & take care 🪐
Thank you. Merry Christmas
Always knew not to mix small and large discus together but never knew about this hormone thing. Thought the bigger ones would bully the smaller ones and they won't eat properly and wouldn't grow. Thank you.
And you are correct. There is no scientific evidence at all in support of that mythical 'toxin'. It simply doesnt exist. This is just a ridiculous fairytale, perpetuated by people who lack even basic familiarity with animal biology!!
Great video. I have seen it in my fish room. Wish I could have seen this 30 years ago.
Great advise and I too face teh same situation. All smaller size had the same fate
Wow. I’m so glad this was brought to the light. I had this problem with some fish but I didn’t understand what was going on as far as hormones or toxins go.
It happens to every fish except for guppies for some damn reason even mollies swordtails and platies have this problem it affects bettas goldfish angelfish zebra danios tetras but guppies are the hardiest I give them that
What if you buy all the discus at the same size and most of them outgrow like 2 of them what should I do ?
Pull the smaller Tina different tank
Thanks Gabe, It's good to have you back
Directly from Portugal. I had the same problem.
Thanks Mr. Pozada!
does the same thing apply to angelfish ?
Witnessed this and preeched this for many years! Great vid!!!
Absolutely wonderful topic, I used to have same problem now I realized thanks with my Blessing 🙏
Gabe, Wow! mind blown! I can't tell you how many times this has happened to me, I could never figure it out, Thank you Sir,
Thank you for the tips. Cheeeers mate
Great videos and a nice refresher on tossing in small with large discus. I'm loving them Altums in the background. Sad I had to sell my group of St. Isabelle Altums a few years back but I think I will be reaching out to you soon after I get my 75 gallon tank set up again.
I recently experienced this, so true. Thanks again for sharing your insight and expertise!
Buenas noches! Hay alguna cura para la vejiga natatoria? Saludos
Thanks Gabe..
I think I'm going to get back into the hobby.
Earl Fitzgerald
Gabe, thanks for your wealth of knowledge on best practices for raising and keeping discus, seriously thinking of restarting a tank and it definitely will be discus, keep up the good work.
Thinking of you right now, mate as I see a hurricane coming through. Best wishes!!
Thank you. Luckily heading West North West of us.
wow... excellent material. Didn't know that, but indeed in my water tank I have pair of snakeskins, bought together , where one is now twice as big as the other one. Funny thing is that its the smaller one eating the most of food and still size difference is not changing at all :-) greetings from Poland!
Gabe, always enjoy your vids, look forward to more
How take care Younger 2.5 to 3.0 inch to get them to full size and colorful awesome videos I'm learning a lot keep doing what u do hope u can do 1 por week 🙏
Nice video sir
Love from india❤️❤️❤️
مشكور على المعلومات المفيدة، بالصدفة فصلت الديسكس الكبير عن الصغير.
ربي يبارك في اسماكك
Enhorabuena Gabriel por las nuevas instalaciones.Os deseo mucha suerte
Muchísimas gracias
You are very generous with your knowledge and I would like to thank you ,I always look forward to your vids And learn a lot….thanks again.👍🇬🇧
This information is worth gold. Thanks!
Very Informative, Thanks Gabe ! 💯💐
Wow thank u so much gabe such helpful information
I'm new to discus, I bought 4 about the same time and then added 2 more a few months later, I don't think they were more than 1.5 inches less than the 4 I fist bought. BUT, now 2 years later the last 2 I bought are smaller than the first 4 I bought.....after see your video it now makes sense....I have another tank I could put the 2 smaller ones in, do you think it would make a difference?
Very informative! Thanks Gabe and JWD team.
Thanks again, Gabe, for your information. Much appreciated.
Gabe great videos as usual thanks 🙏🏻 I think I’m having this problem I have about 15 discus in a 150 gallon I bought them all about the same size 3 months ago about 7 discus haven’t grown at all There eating well 4 to 5 times a day beefheart and live black worms and brine shrimp some doubled and even almost tripled in size and the rest are staying small even though they eat like pigs. My question is that I don’t have room for another fish tank if I leave them in there with the bigger discus will they eventually grow or they will stay small forever ?
Hola te hablo desde argentina,tengo discus y tengo problemas con paracitos de agallas como es tratamiento efectivo para controlar, nosé como se usa el praziquantel
Thank for the knowledge 👍
This video is extremely helpful, i too went thru that "experiment" with my discus with out knowing it.
Loads of amazing info here
Awesome insight. Thanks Gabe for sharing this important information with us all. Bless you mate
Thank you 🙏
Hi I hope you don't mind I shared this video on Facebook in a couple of discus groups I am in
Enjoy
Hey, this video is fantastic! Immediately explained what was going on in my tank. I'm just wondering how long these toxins remain in the water after you take the largest fishes out? Cheers mate 💙
Hello - Waiting for more VIDEOS....
Thanks Gabe!
Very informative…thanks Gabe!
Thanks so much for the info. Have a great Christmas and a great new year.
Glad to see you doing video again, This was another great informative video and I can say I have learned many helpful things since I have been watching your vids. Thank you Gabe for sharing your time and knowledge with all of us.
Jack, what to do with new discus not showing any interest in any food (even live food) though fully healthy and swimming beautifully?
Thank you so much Mr. Gabe
Hi, it's a very true information ! With daphnia , it's the same phenomenon ! I spoke with you long time ago , you were saying , that you were plaining to move . Are you moving again or it's old video ? Montreal, Canada.
We are setting up a second operation. It will be for breeding and shipping. We will keep the original facility for retail.
I don’t even own discus and I learn tips that help me
Congratulations Much love.
Thank you so much for sharing
This phenomena is undoubtedly true. I wonder if weekly water changes of 30% or more ("dilution is the solution to pollution") would help combat this phenomena - or if activated charcoal would be effective in removing the hormones from the water column? There's always more questions than answers...but that's what makes it interesting!!
MUCH MUCH AWAITED ....... gr8 stuff
I love them!I love to work there!
Is it ok if i have 5" with 3-3.5" discus or should i remove the little guys for them to grow?
could you make a video going over the care of discus of different sizes going up 1 per?
thank you for the vid. have you found any treatment to remove hormones? maybe charcoal or some other filter or a chemical treatment like hydrogen peroxide?
Man i wonder if this is why my jack dempsey won't grow, had it for more than a year and a half now and be barely is 5 inches. He's been living with bigger fish, first a green terror and now with my 10" Oscar and 6" vieja
I have a Discus, it is breathing fast, please tell me what to do❤
Thanks Gabe ......
Really useful information Gabe!!
Great information, I plan on ordering soon!
Thank you for the info
Amazing video Gabe as always. You give such great info in such great detail. Thanks so much, your just a joy to have in the hobby, especially when it comes to discus.
Thank you Gabe . You are the best
Hi there,
Does water softness influences discus growth?
Thanks
Let me be sure I understand--discus only secrete the hormone once they're adults, right?
One subject I’ve wanted to see discussed/studied is the presence of growth inhibiting toxins in fish related to water changes/flushing those out of the water column. I’ve always heard that fish excrete growth inhibiting hormones into the water.
But it's constant. So a constant water change 24/7 would have to exist to null the toxins
Thanks for sharing this information to us... Good information
Thank you for that information… you really make it so much easier for everyone . You are Awesome, thank you again 🥰🌺
Thanks Discus Sensei !!!
I've already mixed mine as I hadn't seen this video.
I run a UV would this potentially kill of the hormones? Or not