How to select discus and avoid stunting

[rayhwong]

Hi,
What is the proper way to select discus to buy? How do you ensure that they do not stunt when you get them home?
I use to pick the ones with the highest fins but im realizing these are probably the stunted ones. Thanks.
-Ray

[Ibn]

Just the basics:

(1) shape - roundness
(2) eye size and position
(3) area around the eyes - make sure that it isn't sunken in
(4) finnage - some varieties are high-fin (or high-bodied)
(5) coloration - smaller discus aren't supposed to have full coloration; if they do, then take it as a possible sign of stunting or chromosome injection (notorious for those coming out of SE asia)
(6) observe the fish waste to make sure that they aren't clear, white, stringy, or ridden w/worms
(7) feeding behavior - ask them to feed the fish; if they're new, they probably won't eat (especially if they've been fed live food up to this point), but should at least be alert of the food

There are some others, but can't think of them on the top of my head. I'm sure others will fill in what I forgot. Most importantly, make sure that the source is a reputable one (there's some info here, but no time right now...maybe I'll write something up if noone mentions about this).

[maestro001]

To avoid stunting them when you get home

Use a bare bottom tank for growing on a schoal of juveniles, they do much better in a bare bottom tank
Feed 4 times a day generously with lots of variety
Do a water change everyday, they need clean water to grow
Vacuum up any waste so that there tanks are always spotlessly clean

[shalu]

Eric gave a good summary on what to look for. 6)and 7) are especially important to ensure you get healthy fish to start with. Don't buy fish from a tank where you see abnormal poop. I also ask the owner to feed the fish before I buy it.

You probably already know the answer when you ask how not to stunt the fish after you get them home: start with healthy fish, then lots of food and lots of water changes. After going through the exercise, I no longer believe bare bottom tanks are any better in growing out discus. Sure you CAN grow out discus successfully in bb tanks, but it is NO easier than planted tank, IF one knows what he is doing with planted tanks(that's a big IF right here, it is better to get a good handle on planted tank before putting discus in it) and is not afraid of doing large/frequent water changes(few people do it, main cause of failure because plants can't handle all the waste) in a planted tank. You will do fine with planted tank based on the pics you posted. You don't need to syphon all the waste and keep the tank spotless in a planted tank, this is something bb tank folks stress all the time. I use that time in rearranging my plants, and find that more relaxing . That being said, it is always handy to have a bb hospital/quarantine tank, although I have used many meds in the planted tank without much adverse effect on plants.