"Discus Growth Showdown: Beefheart & Earthworms vs. Standard Fish Food"

[@Alex_Correa]

Very interesting experience! Thanks for publishing the results!!

[@shelleraquatics]

Thank you, Alex👍

[@FishEZ]

Thumbs up Steve! I enjoyed the video. Thanks for putting out such great information.

[@shelleraquatics]

Thanks so much, my friend! I really appreciate the kind words. I'm glad you enjoyed the video! Always great to hear that the info is helpful. Thanks for being so supportive-your feedback means a lot! 🙏😊

[@the_DOS]

Very interesting. I do see more growth on the BF mix as well. But it's a pain to make and expensive to get shipped next day delivery. I might try the yellow fin tuna mix and see what happens there. People have been using the Sera growth granules but i don't see that much difference when I use it and I use it 6x a day. I think juveniles need more fat than protein that's why they do so well on the beefheart imo. I have been trying a few types of food so far but still none of them are better than BH. Freeze dry blackworms are ok but they cost a lot as well and not worth it + your discus start to only eat them. I just ordered some "kens blackworm pellets" so we'll see how that does. Looking forward to see some more of these types of testing.

[@shelleraquatics]

Beefheart is definitely a proven option, though I know posting about it on social media can stir up debate-which I actually enjoy. Currently, I'm developing an affordable beefheart mix that's in the final stages of production, designed specifically to balance nutrients while maintaining quality. When it comes to fish protein, I suggest trying shorter-lived sea fish, as they generally have lower heavy metal content compared to longer-lived species, making them safer and healthier for long-term feeding. As for Sera granules, they’re decent, but I see them more as a filler feed for young adults and adults-useful in rounding out the diet, but not something I'd rely on as a primary food source. Blackworms are a great choice but are becoming scarce in America and have become quite expensive. I’ve been testing earthworms and other types of worms with some pretty amazing results, and I'm actively working on developing these as a viable food option." Thank you for your amazing comment, I love when I get these engaging, thoughtful, well thought out comments. I can always tell when I get these responses that your are someone I could sit down with and have a meaningful discussion and even disagree with each other but learn from you. Thank you again, Steve Heller

[@the_DOS]

@@shelleraquatics Thank you for your kind words and indeed we would have a very meaningful conversation in real life! I have many ideas and opinions , as I know for sure you do, on discus. Things that may get other people upset, however, I believe we should all test out our theories than listen to the passed down folklore. For example, I am not in the camp of 10 gallons per discus, 50% water changes two times a week, stunting due to hormones, etc. We should all test these theories which I have concluded in my own experiences, are not factual. However, I would like others to test it as well and maybe we can all learn from each other. I think everyone would be very interested in your beefheart mix that's affordable. That's the big problem with beefheart, either shipping is expensive or it's just a pain to make. I agree with you on the Sera granuales. I am looking to see if one day, I can find a mix of affordable food, that can get the juveniles up to size very quick. One of my youtubers say the tetra food works great and they will post a video soon on their growth from juvenile by using only tetra color bits. I tried this exact same food and my fish were stunted. So I'm not sure how he got them to grow fast. Looking forward to your testings and food mix development!

[@Branden.K]

Real world field testing with documented results love it great content

[@shelleraquatics]

Thank you very much my friend 😊

[@tabarakaquatics8067]

I love feeding red wigglers for growth and thickness, they just can be a bit expensive. I’m gonna buy some today for some wild pike cichlids I just got in.

[@shelleraquatics]

Definitely a very natural live food. As soon as I see a little color on these Discus I'll send them over!

[@dirtyoldfarmhand3]

Awesome. Thanks for the video.

[@shelleraquatics]

Great to see you again, I've missed seeing your comments 😀 you have been with me since the early days 😊

[@robertjohnston25]

Interesting.. but the results might also suggest changing more water impacts growth more than the food in your tests :/

[@shelleraquatics]

Yes I said that in the video, this was not a scientific experiment the biggest ones are how I've been growing discus for over 30 years and here on KZbin I get a lot of haters because I get accused of over maintaining my tanks. This was more to prove to them and me my method works. I grow big healthy fish, my point is I grow Angelfish with a couple water changes a month but I can't sell discus to my suppliers that are stunted and take 9 months to grow to 4 inches. I have tried everything and my final conclusion is you can't be Lazy and grow out discus. But I agree with you water changes are the secret because the tanks get so polluted with the amount of food the need to grow correctly in our fish tanks. Also to keep them in tight quarters and keep them warm. Steve Heller

[@robertjohnston25]

@@shelleraquatics def not doubting it. Just thought it would be interesting if the tank fed pellet or beefheart would’ve seen equal growth if they also had 160% water changes. Do you have an aquatic system for w/c? It would be nice to be able to provide that kind of husbandry to my fish 😅

[@shelleraquatics]

So here's the thing with the amount of water changes. I have people telling me I don't have to change as much water if I put them in bigger tanks. But that theory is all wrong because they expend more energy and there water is not as pure. I think people bunch all fish in the same category but also confuse keeping Discus, breeding Discus and growing discus as one system. My breeders get 10% water change every 3 days and get fed once a day. If I'm keeping discus which I have done for years without breeding I might change water 2 times a month but up the filtration and feed every other day. But growing out discus is like no other fish, you have to dedicate yourself or else you will waste time and money. I appreciate your comment, I really do enjoy fishkeeping and appreciate the people I meet in the hobby.

[@robertjohnston25]

@@shelleraquatics thanks for the insights. I’m a clown loach addict so I’m always looking for healthy ways to grow out these slow growers faster 😅

[@blacklabel99able]

Great video! What are you thoughts on Albino Discus having a slower growth rate? The 2 I have both seem to be growing significantly slower than other Discus I bought in the same size from the same supplier.

[@shelleraquatics]

100% slower growth rate. I have an Angelfish project going that has a dominant albino gene. It around 60/40 albino and the defect rate and growth rate is painful. The original parents were wild red shoulder Manacapuru. I am slowly improving the line but there is no doubt I'm am struggling with Albinos. There probably a reason they are so rare in the wild throughout the animal kingdom.

[@Jbrown2356]

I currently can’t buy your products overseas can you help me

[@shelleraquatics]

I tried shipping international but I was unsuccessful due to my products not being able to make it through customs. Each time I lost money on shipping and as a startup it was very expensive and costly. I decided to just sell to the U.S market for now.

[@plumber1331]

Thxs

[@shelleraquatics]

You bet!

[@plumber1331]

What is your website

[@shelleraquatics]

Shelleraquatics.com

[@daczgegrbt8324]

Protein: beaf heart 18g, any type of worm about 60g . What the point of feeding bh?

[@shelleraquatics]

It's the combo that is the point, It's not just about protein, it's about healthy growth and nutrients. Beef heart has many health benefits, including: Iron: Beef heart is a great source of iron, which helps with oxygen transport and energy metabolism. It can help prevent iron deficiency and support healthy blood circulation. Vitamin B12: Beef heart contains a lot of vitamin B12, which is important for the proper functioning of almost every system in the body. A deficiency in vitamin B12 can contribute to aging, cancer, neurological disorders, and cardiovascular disease. B vitamins: Beef heart contains many complex B vitamins, including folate and riboflavin, which can help protect against heart disease and improve energy levels. Immune system: Beef heart contains nutrients like anserine, carnosine, and taurine, which can help support the immune system. Cardiovascular health: Beef heart contains nutrients that can help enhance blood flow and promote cardiovascular health. Protein: Beef heart is a good source of protein. Zinc: Beef heart contains zinc, which helps with body growth and maintenance.

[@rajadey4919]

​Hobbyist who are unable to feed GHM or BHM due to location and cultural issues/ religious factors ... it means keeping at the same time compromising with health issues of tank bred discus from reputated breeder's in trying to feed alternative foods which are less nutritious and health/ growth effective. Now for a hobbyist maintaining a discus only five foot tank with 540 litres of water...will it be possible to feed BHM and change 70% water on daily basis?

[@shelleraquatics]

@@rajadey4919 yes, should be just fine 🙂

[@fleskesm]

This is BS! Beefheart is terrible! It’s very hard for the fish to digest, and they should be kept in warmer water to be able to digest at all. Warmer water is terrible for the fish.

[@shelleraquatics]

@@fleskesm well alright then, I used to think that to but then I found out the big corporations started that rumor because it was hurting their bottom line, wait is this tetra?😄

[@j.t.cooper2963]

👍🏻😎

[@shelleraquatics]

👍

[@kalitaylor2598]

Nightcrawlers !***best ,easy harvested ,grown+ bred,sustainable source of raw protein etc , genetically identical , hygienic etc etc squeeze em out head to tail ,pack em in the fridge,keeps them live then blend them add to ,freezerbags, ,Hey presto, , 😮 disease free ,& constant ❤ used them on Malawi's long ago ,Not a single problem 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🙏🤗

[@shelleraquatics]

Thank you for your amazing comment. I really appreciate you taking the time to write this and watching the video. It means a lot to me!