S Y M P H Y S O D O N T R A D E J O U R N A L BEST OF EDITION

S Y M P H Y S O D O N
T R A D E
J O U R N A L
BEST OF EDITION
NADA
Discus Show in Atlanta
New European captive
breeding successes
Discus companion fish:
Microgeophagus ramirezi
Construction project:
Belo Monte catastrophe
along the Rio Xingu
No. 02/2012
Volume 2
Free eBook
STENDKER Discus Fish
Hatcher
DISCUS FISH BREEDING – GERMANY
Stendker Discus Fish Hatchery –
Warendorf
100
Text: Michael J. Schönfeld
Photos: M.J. Schönfeld, Stendker GmbH
Discus
BEST OF EDITION
2011 2012
DISCUS FISH BREEDING – GERMANY
Stendker Discus Fish Hatchery –
Germany’s largest discus fish hatchery
is also the biggest hatchery in Europe.
Here are some “behind the scenes”
photos.
Discus
BEST OF EDITION
2011 2012
DISCUS FISH BREEDING – GERMANY
The fish fry stays with the parent fish until the juvenile fish
are approx. 15 mm in size.
The young fish feed on the
skin secretions of the parent
fish.
Subsequently, the juvenile fish are placed in a small
aquarium and begin feeding
on the hatchery’s own specially-developed discus feed.
Silver Pigeon Blood Discuses are almost solid
silvery-white coloured fish, which retain the yellowygreen facial mask of the Pigeon Blood line.
Jörg Stendker catching and
carefully packaging the fish,
ready for shipping.
Volker
Stendker,
the
company’s other co-owner, also participates in the
hands-on work and works for
the company full-time.
The discus fish, bred in
Europe’s largest discus hatchery, are shipped to destinations all over the world. Over
30 countries are included
in the company’s customer
mailing list and in Germany
alone over 1000 specialist
pet shops are included in the
customer list.
At trade shows, breeding discus fish with their fry
are sometimes on display. This is a cobalt blue pair
with juvenile fish, approx. 3 weeks old.
Discus
BEST OF EDITION
2011 2012
DISCUS FISH BREEDING – GERMANY
On average, approx. 450 discus pairs are
breeding in the hatchery at any given time. A
total of around 200,000 discus fish populate
the hatchery’s aquariums (ranging from small
juvenile fish right through to jumbo-sized
adult fish). More than 10,000 fully-grown discus fish in 21 different colour varieties are
available for shipment, the year round.
T
Jörg Stendker, together with his brother Volker, set
up the enterprise “Diskuszucht Stendker GmbH &
Co. KG” in Warendorf, Germany. They are running
the business in the 2nd generation. Their father
Heinz Stendker originally laid the foundation for
today’s hatchery, 47 years ago..
Today around 40 employees work looking after the discus fish, 365 days a year.
Front and centre of the photo: Volker Stendker and Jörg Stendker.
.
Discus
BEST OF EDITION
2011 2012
DISCUS FISH BREEDING – GERMANY
The feed-mix, specially developed by the hatchery, is also
available in specialist retail stores. This beef heart mix, which
contains beef heart, minerals, trace elements, and a multi-vitamin supplement, makes it easy to provide discus fish with healthy feed. The Stendker Discus Hatchery has fed its fish exclusively with this feed for over 40 years – with obvious success!
Blue Diamond Discus Fish – close to becoming
a classic discus fish! All discus fish from the hatchery in Warendorf are accustomed to German
tap water, making them very easy to keep.
In contrast to the general rule of thumb, which recommends 50
litres of aquarium water per fully-grown discus fish, the Stendker brothers recommend providing approx. 20 litres per fish and
keeping at least 10 fish together per aquarium. In a group of
less than 10 fish, often one fish will become dominant (the alpha
fish). This dominant fish will then prevent other fish from feeding
properly, which unfortunately may result in these fish becoming
weaker and remaining motionless in a corner of the aquarium
(typical Cichlid behaviour).
Blue Pigeon Bloods – continue to be very popular.
Discus
BEST OF EDITION
2011 2012
DISCUS FISH BREEDING – GERMANY
“Solid Fire Red” with a fry of juvenile fish. In
some countries, these solid red coloured fish
are sold as “Marlboro Red”.
The hatchery only supplies specialist pet
shops – and does not sell discus fish directly
to individual end customers.
.
“Stendker Téfé” is the name the discus
hatchery in Warendorf, Germany, has given
to this colour variety, as its red spots are
reminiscent of the wild discus fish from the Rio
Téfé.
Of the 21 colour varieties available from the Warendorf
hatchery, the “Dark Angel” colour variety is one of the newer
breeds. The pinkish primary colour shows (intentional) traces
of smoky colouring. Above the fish’s lateral line, the turquoise
decorative colouring begins and continues right up into the
edge of the dorsal fin. The orange colouring of the fish’s face
perfectly rounds off the fish’s appearance.
Discus
BEST OF EDITION
2011 2012
DISCUS FISH BREEDING – GERMANY
The discus hatchery from the German
Münsterland Region takes part in the
most important aquarium trade fairs
worldwide, displaying its entire range
of colour varieties, presenting a pair of
jumbo-sized fish of each variety.
Diskuszucht Stendker GmbH & Co. KG
Quality made in Germany.
For us, the health and well-being of our discus
fish, as well as our customers’ satisfaction is
our core priority. This is why we have presented our accumulated expertise on our website
for all users, free of charge.
Even first-time aquarium owners will find
keeping our discus fish easy! Find out more
at www.Diskuszucht-Stendker.de or visit our
display at the “Aqua Discus Tage” Exhibition
in Dortmund, Germany, on 29th – 30th September 2012. We look forward to seeing you
there!
Our discus fish are only available for purchase in specialist pet shops.
You can find a list of stockists and further information on our website:
www.Diskuszucht-Stendker.de
Tel. +49 (0) 2581 – 60627 Fax +49 (0) 2581 – 633205
Email: Diskuszucht_Stendker@t-online.de
Discus
BEST OF EDITION
2011 2012
DISCUS FISH BREEDING – GERMANY
The NEW
DISCUS Yearbook
• 112 pages
• 250 photos
• limited print edition
• all highlights of the past 12 months
DISCUS COLLECTOR’S CUPS
8.50 € A PIECE
Calendar 2013
LIMITED NUMBERS AVAILABLE
A NEW CUP EACH YEAR
HANDLE IS PRINTED TOO
A SEAL ON THE CUP’S BASE
Exclusive Design
ALL OUR CUPS ARE:
• DISHWASHER SAFE
• DECORATED BY HAND
• MADE OF PORCELAIN
A4 Format
comes with a protective cover sheet
14 unique discus fish photos
DISCUS COFFEE CUPS
SET OF TWO
14.90 €
Discus
BEST OF EDITION
2011 2012