The Discus Book

The Discus Book - For The Dedicated Aquarist - First Published in 1989 and Republished for all Tropical Fish Aquarists. A Best Selling Book for Fish Care and Aquariums. Suitable as an invaluable reference for all Tropical Fish Keepers and Hobbyists, wanting to know the tricks on having healthy thriving tropical fish free of disease. "Alastair Agutter began keeping and breeding tropical fish as an aquarist at the age of 9 years and been a dedicated successful British Tropical Fish Breeder and Hobbyist for over 46 years. He is still only one of a select few world-wide who have successfully bred the Discus Fish in captivity and written as a published author on the subject." IMPORTANT: Please Note there are no spelling or typing errors in this publication, it is "English Language British" spelt. The original photographs have now also been converted from old 35 mm to Digital. Thank You! The Discus Book (For the Dedicated Aquarist) first Published in 1989 has been reproduced due to continued demand based on the merits of the content as a record and historic value for all Discus Fish Lovers Around the World. With Pictures and Contributions from Dr. Eduard Schmidt-Focke, Dr Liv Singh Khasla, Paul Clayton, Jack Wattley, Nick Hulme and others. The book has some valuable changes and is an essential reference to breeding these beautiful species and keeping them successfully. Over Twelve Chapters in this Book with original photographs. The Discus and Its Natural Environment The Wild Species The Importance of the Correct Aquarium Menu's of Live and Prepared Foods for the Discus Diet The Requirements for Discus Filtration The Genetics of Discus the Different Strains Lighting and Electrical Needs. Collecting and Purchasing the Right Fish The Correct Water and Techniques The Successful Spawning and Breeding of Discus Diseases and Problems The Concluding Points For the Successful Breeding of All Cichlids: The book can also be an invaluable reference and source for any Tropical Fish Hobbyist, especially Cichlid keepers, as the book covers breeding signs and behaviour patterns, the perfect water conditions and the importance of routines and keeping fish free from disease. Authors Editorial and Review: "This book has been a favourite with Tropical Fish Keepers and a Best Seller now for over 25 years. The Discus Fish, King of the Aquarium is the hardest species to breed and keep in captivity. By following the routines and methods in this book, ensures any hobbyist can keep successfully any type of tropical fish, be it a community aquarium full of tropical fishes, or seeking to specially breed cichlids and other species of interest successfully. The fish food menu's inside this book I think are very unique, where folk can make up large amounts of specially prepared food that can be frozen down and used when required, creating vast savings on fish food and providing the very best for your fish, with a high protein diet and with all the essential vitamins and nutrients, for healthy thriving fish. - Alastair R Agutter. Build An Optimal Trickle Filtration System: Finally, complete details and diagrams of the Author's Power Vain Trickle Filtration System: designed for all large tropical fish tanks and achieving the optimal conditions in a naturally planted Aquarium, with techniques also on Lighting, to achieve even flowering of water plants using Mercury Vapour lighting on timers, for sun rise and sunsets.The Discus Book - Published in Paperback and Digital Book Editions and available world-wide!

Alastair Agutter is one of a select few world-wide to successfully breed the Discus (symphysodon) species King of the Aquarium in captivity and an authority on these tropical fish species and others, as an accomplished Best Selling Author of Specialist Books Internationally.

Alastair began keeping and breeding tropical fish as a hobbyist from the age of just 9 years back in 1967 (nearly 50 years ago) and has successfully bred many species. He was one of the very first Aquarists in the United Kingdom breeding cichlids from the Great Lakes (Malawi and Tanganyika) in the early and mid-nineteen-seventies.

His enthusiasm as a dedicated Aquarist continues today with a number of projects underway; including the development of new biological filtration systems (Polyatomic-ion Biological Reactors), to help improve the success survival rate for keeping thriving plants with tropical fish species. Other projects include breeding a number of endangered species including original strains of the symphysodon family and other smaller indigenous species native to South America mainly inhabiting the Great River Amazon.

Alastair also continues today designing and making his very own aquariums and equipment for his projects, and also endeavours to write more tropical fish hobbyist reference books as a freelance full-time author, in the interests of further serving the local and wider Community Internationally.