wild discus vs captive bred debate

[sunny]

I've been thinking about getting some wild discus, but I'm not sure if they're worth the extra hassle compared to captive bred. Anyone have experience with both? My tank's a 75 gallon, planted with driftwood, and I do 50% water changes weekly. Parameters are stable, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 5 nitrate, pH 6.8, temp 84°F. I feed a mix of frozen bloodworms, beef heart, and pellets twice a day.

[Dory]

Wild discus are stunning, but they're definitely more sensitive. I've kept both, and the wild ones need pristine water. My setup's similar to yours, 80 gallon, soft water, and I do 60% changes twice a week. They're picky eaters too, took mine a month to accept pellets. If you're up for the challenge, go for it, but captive bred are way more forgiving.

[paddlepop]

Wild ones are legit, but man, they're pricey. I got a pair last year, and they straight up refused to eat for weeks. Tank's a 55 gallon, sand substrate, and I run a canister filter. Ended up selling 'em 'cause I couldn't deal with the stress. Captive bred are chill, just as pretty if you find a good breeder.

[barks]

Wild ones are legit, but man, they're pricey. I got a pair last year, and they straight up refused to eat for weeks. Tank's a 55 gallon, sand substrate, and I run a canister filter. Ended up selling 'em 'cause I couldn't deal with the stress. Captive bred are chill, just as pretty if you find a good breeder.

Yeah, wild discus can be a pain. I've had better luck with captive bred, especially from local breeders. My tank's a 90 gallon, bare bottom for easier cleaning, and I feed a mix of live blackworms and high-quality flakes. Water changes are 70% weekly, and I keep the temp at 86°F. Less drama, same beauty.

[Dodge]

Wild discus are overrated unless you're a hardcore enthusiast. My 75 gallon's got a mix of both, and the captive bred ones are way more active. I use a sponge filter, keep the pH at 6.5, and feed a variety of frozen foods. The wild ones hide a lot, even after months of acclimation. Not worth the hassle unless you're really into 'em.

[LunaSky]

I've only kept captive bred, but they've been great. My 60 gallon's heavily planted, with a canister filter and CO2 injection. I do 40% water changes weekly, and they're thriving. Fed on a mix of pellets and frozen brine shrimp. Heard wild ones need softer water, which I can't provide, so I'm sticking with what works.

[Raven]

Never kept wild discus, but my captive bred are doing fine. Tank's a 50 gallon, with a hang-on-back filter and no plants. I do 30% water changes weekly, and they're growing well. Feed them flakes and occasional frozen daphnia. Not sure I'd risk the wild ones given how sensitive they're supposed to be.

[Blaze]

Wild discus are like that high-maintenance ex. Looks great, but way too much work. My 100 gallon's got captive bred, and they're thriving. I use a sump, keep the temp at 85°F, and feed a mix of pellets and freeze-dried tubifex. Water changes are 50% weekly, and they're always out and about. Save yourself the headache.

[sunny]

Thanks for the input, everyone. Sounds like captive bred might be the way to go for me. I'll stick with my current setup and maybe try a few wild ones down the line if I feel like a challenge.