Rafflesia Throwback Discus

Rafflesia Throwback Discus

$98.00$213.00

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$98.00$213.00

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Blood red with a white pattern, this Rafflesia Throwback Discus makes me marvel at its good looks but, because of its middle name, makes me think of the past. As this iridescent Rafflesia Throwback catches the light, it highlights the gentle white speckles on the intense blood red/orange color combination accented by a delicate medley of blues fringe. This hybrid discus would strike the right note and complement any collection with its bold eye-catching colors.

My past includes playing basketball, a game I’ve followed since growing up in Jersey and following the Glory Days Knicks, those teams that won those two championships back in the day. Throwback jerseys are worn by different NBA basketball teams to pay respect to a bygone team’s uniforms. And to show respect to past players who battled on the court in those championship years.

Maybe this discus is meaning to tell us, by its name alone, that we should respect the past. And maybe, from its blood red color, we should also think about respecting the Veterans who, in the past, helped preserve our freedoms and way of life here in the States by shedding their own blood. I know it sounds a bit tragic. Still, we need to remember. If only to show the respect due our past warriors.

But this fish wants to tell us more so I started Googling words related to it and I began with Rafflesia. Who knew that it means a parasitic flowering plant that has no stems, leaves, or roots? Looking closely, I notice the plant and the fish are similar in color…but that name… Rafflesia… you sure it isn’t the main character in an Eddie Murphy comedy film? Nope, a plant, not Eddie in drag making us laugh.

What this discus reminds us of is no laughing matter. With its name and color, it is indeed, a throwback, a reversion…back…back…to a time zone in the past, our past. Contemplating its red and white pattern I remember and vow to always remember, passing on these important values to my children, and if I’m lucky, grandchildren.

By Robert Gluck

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SKU: rafflesia-throwback-discus Categories: , , ,

3 reviews for Rafflesia Throwback Discus

    Rafflesia Throwback Discus photo review
    Rafflesia Throwback Discus photo review
    Rafflesia Throwback Discus photo review
    Rafflesia Throwback Discus photo review
    +2
    Steve B., Blue Hill, ME (Verified Customer) May 1, 2020
    April 5, 2021
    The Rafflesia has taken to spawning with a blue diamond.  They would make some interesting offspring if that would ever happen. 
    While it's healthy i...More

    The Rafflesia has taken to spawning with a blue diamond.  They would make some interesting offspring if that would ever happen. 



    While it's healthy it has lost a lot of it's red coloring even though I feed it color enhancing FD black worms. Hormones?

    Rafflesia Throwback Discus photo review
    Rafflesia Throwback Discus photo review
    Rafflesia Throwback Discus photo review
    +1
    Cynthia M., Charlestown, RI (Verified Customer) November 18, 2020
    November 29, 2020
    Yes fish arrived and doing fine. Very pretty fish. They should color up nicely. The Throwback Rafflesia is a nice size and the Blue Super Eruption alr...More

    Yes fish arrived and doing fine. Very pretty fish. They should color up nicely. The Throwback Rafflesia is a nice size and the Blue Super Eruption already has nice coloring, but unfortunately is not the size I ordered. As you can see from pictures he is quite small compared to the Rafflesia. I measured him and he barely comes in at under 3.5”  from tip of nose to tip of tail. Just hope he doesn’t get bullied and becomes stunted. Nothing we can do about it now. Hopefully he will become big and strong.

    Rafflesia Throwback Discus photo review
    Ted S., Tulsa, OK (Verified Customer) 02/14/2018
    May 31, 2019

    Great high quality discus! Just concerned with one lollipop that continues to hide out and not eating. The rest are doing awesome!


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Every fish we sell bears our gold seal that represents the Discus.com promise to our customers. When you make a purchase with us, you are entrusting our team with shipping you a collector grade specimen of unparalleled quality, beauty, size, and heft based on our judgement accrued over 25 years of experience. We guarantee the fish you receive will match the exact fish represented in our product photos. We are the gold standard of discus. Note: our discus are always measured from tip of nose to end of tail.

 

Category Rating
Care Level: Moderate, see our Learning Center for comprehensive care.
Temperament: Peaceful
Color Form: Huge variety available
Lifespan: 15-25 Years
Adult Size: 8-12 inches
Diet: Omnivorous
Family: Cichlidae
Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons
Tank Set-Up: Bare-bottom, or Intermediate
Compatibility: Often compatible



Natural Habitat for Discus

Discus are found in floodplain lakes and flooded forests of the lowland Amazon River basin and some of its tributaries, including the Rio Negro.  These areas experience extreme changes in water level due to seasonal flooding.  Discus tend to congregate near fallen trees, known as “galhadas”, along the shore.  They prefer quiet water, and are rarely found in areas where there is strong current or wave action.

Discus Water Requirements

Discus prefer warm, soft, acidic water.  pH should be between 6.0 and 7.0, with hardness between 1° and 4° dKH (18 to 70 ppm).  Temperature should be kept between 82° and 89° F. Water conditions for both wild and hybrid discus are the same. While captive bred discus can be kept in dechlorinated tap water  reverse osmosis or deionized water supplemented will ensure the the best conditions. Discus require pristine water quality, and depending on the filtration system being used, a weekly or bi-weekly water change of 10% to 25% is highly recommended. Don’t forget to treat tap water with conditioner before refilling your aquarium!  

Housing Requirements for Discus

Discus grow to be quite large, and full sized discus will require an aquarium of 50 gallons or larger when they reach adult size.  Tall aquariums are best, to accommodate their body shape.  Current should be gentle, and décor if used at all should include large broadleaf plants and driftwood that is arranged vertically to simulate downed branches and trees.  A few floating plants can also be added to provide shaded areas and cover. Substrate should be fine to medium grade and smooth surfaced, as discus like to forage along the bottom for food.

Discus Behavior/Compatibility

Discus are generally calm, peaceful fish, but as cichlids they can be aggressive toward one another, especially when attempting to pair off and spawn.  Shy or submissive fish should be removed if they are unable to compete. Most serious hobbyists do not mix their discus with too many other species. However, suitable aquarium mates include cardinal tetras, neons, emperor and rummy nose tetras, as well as clown loaches and dwarf cichlids such as rams and Apistogramma species. All of these fish tolerate the high temperatures and low pH/hardness required by discus.  

What do Discus Eat?

In nature discus eat a considerable amount of plant material and detritus, but also forage along the bottom looking for worms and small crustaceans.  They are omnivores and will thrive on freeze dried black worms, beefheart, frozen blood worms, and a variety of pellet and flake food. Frozen and live foods may be fed as treats or to help induce spawning.  For best results, rotate their diet daily and feed only what they can consume in 2 to 3 minutes, once or twice a day.

Discus Breeding Level – Difficult

Captive bred discus will pair up and spawn relatively easily, but young, inexperienced parents may eat their eggs the first few times, particularly if other fish are present.  After hatching the young feed on heavy body mucus secreted by the parents for a few days until they begin to free-swim.  Parents will transfer the young back and forth several times a day.

Q: How are your stated fish measurements conducted?

A: All measurements are made from tip of nose to end of tail. Photographs are representative of the strain or variety, and not the exact specimens that will be shipped.

Q: How do I make a purchase?

A: Every discus you see on our website is available for immediate purchase and ready to be shipped to you. Click the “Add to Cart” button on your desired products, adjust your quantities, and follow the checkout instructions. We honor all special requests. Please allow a 2-day minimum handling period for discus.

Shipping Tiers for Live Tropical Fish: 

  • Discus/Altum orders over $600: choice of a free gift of a breeding cone or t-shirt. Use the promo code BONUS-CONE after adding your selection to your cart.

Blackworms: Free USPS Postal Shipping

Plants: $10 FedEx Priority Shipping, Minimum Order: $15

International Buyers Please Note: Import duties, taxes and charges are not included in the item price or shipping charges. These charges are the buyer’s responsibility. Please check with your country’s customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to purchasing.

 

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