Mr.Crizanto wellcome to web site of first discus keeper organization in Croatia.
Can you please Introduce yourself to Croatian discus keepers.
My name is Hudson Crizanto , Brazilian , born on April 13, 1971, and living in the city of Fortaleza, northeastern Brazil. I am in the activity of ornamental fish since 1989, and working with export since 1994. I have specialized in marine fish and selecteds Discus also . Passionate about any kind of fish that interest me. I am married and have two children,
Are you the biggest wild caught discus fish exporter from Brasil?
I can not say yes, because I do not know the volume of the other competitors, but I am probably the biggest. Some government people told me that.
What trip or project are you most proud of?
I am proud on myself for being pioneer in the sustainable exploitation of discus in Brazil. I helped four national parks to make the correct management and explore this important natural resource and without endangering the survival of this species in national park of Jutai , national park of Unini , national park of Ayapua and national park of Amanã.
Four projects that we are all proud of, and I know I’m helping to keep these fish for future generations, sustainable use of natural resources is the only solution to help preserve
When does fishing season starts?
Season usually begins in late September and runs until February, but last season the season only started in November and finished in February. Mother nature is controlling the time.
What is your fishing area? What rivers and lakes do you fish?
We are fishing in the lakes of Alenquer region , Lago grande, lake Inanu , Curuai lake, an Tapajós River , Arapiuns River, Trombetas River , Nhamunda river, Guariba lake, Andespelho lake , Rio Negro, Unini river Teffe river , lake Amana, Japura river, Coari river , Jutai river , Purus river, Ayapuá lake and lake Uatumã
What are the water parameters on that areas?
When the period is dry, the parameters are extreme for discus, I’ve measured the ph around 3-4 and conductivity 10-15, with a temperature of 28 – 32c
Can You explain us how does your fishing looks like? How long it takes, how many people you need, how big nets using. How long is you trip to the places where you fish?
Our fishing is monitored by the office of environmental protection of Brazil ICMBIO and accompanied by several researchers. We are the only company in Brazil that is doing this work. After getting authorizations they send us a group of local fishermen to make fishing and pass the data to the researchers so they could monitor the project. This is done for 10 to 15 days and you can see a report on the Nat Geo, speaking step by step, about our project, (SEE THE LINK BELOW)
http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2012/06/11/the-pride-of-the-purus-river-an-iridescent-income-from-ornamental-fish-2/
Where do you catch discus fishes? On open water or closer to to coast?
Discus occur in sheltered waters, lakes and creeks near the riverbanks and preferably in smaller rivers
How do you choose fishes for your stock. What are the criteria of selecting?
I choose the roundest fish, small and proportionate eyes, red eyes, perfect body with bars, perfect scales and more colorful patterns.
Xlg size , md sizes , ml sizes is a preferency
When You choose fishes what is the next procedure?
They are stored in wooden tanks in lakes or rivers by three or four days. Then, one by one are packed in plastic bags with oxygen, and sent to my pre quarantine in Santarem City and Manaus. There, they are pre quarantined for over three-four days in treatment with antiparasitic and then are sent to my permanent quarantine in Fortaleza city to keep for two to four months .
Do you have some problems with diseases of discus fishes? What medication do you use?
Good fishing, proper rigid selection, good transportation and good quarantine eliminates any possibility of developing diseases.
We avoided discus in treating with chemical drugs, and we have a veterinarian caring for the health of our fish.
Which food do you use to feed them?
We use commercial food for discus that you can find in any better fish store.
What about water changes? How often and how many percentage do you change?
In my case I use a lot of food and this compromises my water and I have to make major changes twice a week, 75%
After acclimatizing period and when you sure they are allright you send them to costumers? What is a procedure?
The fish speaks for themself. If she is activly seeking for food and showing better color it is the right time to sell
We can read in literature that it is not good combination to keep Pterophyllums with discus, but there are some places in nature where they live together.
I also do not agree with many books. I have tank at my home with discus, angels, corydoras, geophagus, biotodomas, apistogramas, tetras and plecos and all live well equal to the natural habitat in rivers and lakes, but the tank you have to be proportional by the number of fish and have a good filter. With Heckels I would put some cichlids who live in the same habitat as severums ,uarus, and other dwarf cichlids too. Some tetras also.
Lot of discus keepers fear to start with wild caught fishes. Are they need to affraid?
I believe the problem is that everyone wants to mix wild discus with domestic discus, I do not like nor advise that. They are incompatible and one will harm another
Simple , wild discus is very easy to keep
How to prepare the tank (decoration and water chemistry,temperature and lightning) for wild caught fishes? Which water parameters you reccomend for keeping wild caught discus fishes?
I like to decorate the tank with wood and stones and few plants and sand on a biotope, I advise the pH 6.5, temperature 27-29 C, and conductivity between 50 and 100us/cm , 0,0 amonia ,nitrite and nitrate , water change 20 – 30% every week and use a best biological filters.
What You can reccomend for those who wants to keep wild caught discus fishes?
I recommend them to buy fish in good fish shop with fish with provenance and that you know who was the provider. You need to know if the fish are quarantined and well adapted before being sent to other countries. The rest is simpler to just have a nice aquarium and follow natural procedures to keep discus.
Many keepers want to know how keep stabile ph value in soft water?
I do not really know about it, I use natural water wells in my business, and physical-chemical parameters are perfect for me, and ideal for my fish I do not need to adjust
Do you reccomend using peat in filters?
I do not use it here, but if it is necessary to control the pH, I see no problem as it is a natural product
Which discus is your favorite?
I like the green variety of lake Teffe. Full red spotted green are the best for me.
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Beside this questions are you have something to add what you think is important for discus keepers an breeders?
The most important I think is never mix wild discus with domestic discus this is a serious mistake, do not do it bacteria and immunity is quite different for both
Thank You for this interview mr.Crizanto,keep up the great work you do
THANK YOU FOR ALL!