Book excerpt: BOOK DESCRIPTION: This Second Edition of The Discus Book has been written and produced with updates and additional information since the first edition, written in 1989, to accommodate "some" of the questionable technology changes, regarding this species since the first edition of the Discus Book, when the Author successfully bred Wild Discus (symphysodon) in captivity, the recording of such work and events transcribed to the said printed book. Alastair Agutter still remains one of a select few in the world today to accomplish such a feat, breeding wild symphysodon, and as a result of such endeavours by he, and other dedicated Aquarist colleagues, they managed to break a cycle and taboo that had lasted for more than 120 years, since the founding of the pastime we know as tropical fish keeping, after "The Great Exhibition" of 1851 and this being, to breed "The King of the Aquarium" in captivity. This second edition of the book is concise and accurate, based on proven methods and techniques, to deliver the above results. The Discus, King of the Aquarium is a highly evolved species of the Cichlidae (tooth carp) Family and will challenge any Aquarist, even tank bred species. This book will not produce any quick fixes, or silver bullets to keeping symphysodon, whom are a very highly evolved sensitive species. But will provide the secrets to successfully keeping the species, if the valuable information found in this book is followed to the letter. Natural Law teaches us to "evolve and refine" when studying quantum mechanics and natural branching, in other words stealth, efficiency and risk aversion. Such outcomes and results only ever come from following the covenant of Natural Law when one seeks "simplistic perfection" in all that we do! CHAPTERS INSIDE THIS BOOK: INTRODUCTION CHAPTER ONE A Little Background Discus and their Natural Environmentand Origin of the Species CHAPTER TWO The Wild Discus Species CHAPTER THREE The Importance of the Correct Aquarium CHAPTER FOUR A Guide to Fish Food and Suitability for Discus CHAPTER FIVE Discus Prepared Super Foods and Recipes CHAPTER SIX Growing and Hatching Your Own Brine Shrimp CHAPTER SEVEN The Requirements for Discus Fish Filtration CHAPTER EIGHT The Genetics and Different Strains of Discus Fish CHAPTER NINE The Lighting and Electrical Needs CHAPTER TEN Collecting and Purchasing the Correct Fish CHAPTER ELEVEN The Correct Water Conditions and Techniques CHAPTER TWELVE The Spawning of Symphysodon CHAPTER THIRTEEN Rearing and Raising Healthy Discus toAdulthood CHAPTER FOURTEEN The Diseases and the Problems of the Species CHAPTER FIFTEEN Aquarists Essential Reference Tables CHAPTER SIXTEEN Author's Concluding Points