Male or Female? The difference can be seen.
Text and photos by Rosario Curcio
True, it requires a digital camera of at least 8.0 pixels, in super-macro mode positioned at .1 mm, practically attached to the glass. And then, the most important thing, a pair of reproducers in their spawning period… willing to be photographed with the spawning cone positioned at 1 cm from the glass. And then I must be truthful, some luck and plenty of patience will be needed.
I had to beg my reproducers… telling them that it was essential for me and for my project, that they must do it otherwise what impression would I give to my staff. All in all, they should do it for the good of MondoDiscus. Less forgiving of my effort than the need to show the public, in the end they consented. Consequently, I thank them on behalf of everyone… for what they have done.
As stated the task is easy, I had to beg so many times, waiting for various spawnings, before they consented. True, they are important… essentially they are the raw material. In fact, to reach the goal there will also be need for:
1) A tranquil reproducer willing to be photographed;
2) a reproducer willing to move itself to the cone at the center end of the front glass;
3) well-intentioned reproducers to do anything in order to continue… the operaactivity;
4) certain reproducers, obviously;
5) luck in being at the right place at the right time;
6) the right time and perfect light;
7) patience to wait for two hours so sweaty I can’t even begin to tell you;
8) fully-charged batteries for the camera and flash (not easy)
9) and… enjoy these two, I hope for the best, photo…
FEMALE
MALE
The complete spawning sequence will be released exclusively on the next issue of Discus News (DN), so arm yourself with patience and soon you will see, the approaching phase of the female ground layer, spawning and the movement of the male to allow the fertilization of the freshly laid eggs. There is even the sequence of the maturation of the eggs and the relative hatching… I’ll say no more. Even if you’re biased, the next DN is not to be missed.
