International Discus Competitions

Of the various discus shows around the world, the one that attracts the most participants from all over the world is without a doubt the World Championship in Duisburg, Germany, which takes place every two years.

Many breeders from around the world take part in this show, always aiming to win the top places and also going after the prize money of €25,000.

Several classes compete in this World Discus Championship. Blue, Brown, Green and Heckel are the so-called wild classes.

Open Class, Pigeon Blood, Red, Red Spotted, Red Turquoise, Snakeskin, Solid Turquoise, Striped Turquoise and Wild Caught Breedings are the other classes, for hybrid fish. Around 20,000 people visit this discus show, which runs for 3 days. Anyone can take part; you just need to register in good time and pay a registration fee of €50. The international jury, headed by Bernard Degem, observes and ranks the discus on the first day of the competition. The results come out the following day, and the prize-giving, the high point of the show, takes place on the last day. Besides the competition, a huge fair of Amazonian fish and much more is a "delight" for any aquarist. At the same time as the fair there are several talks by the biggest names in discus worldwide: Jack Watley, Bernard Degen, Kitti Panitti, Heiko B., Didier Undergrasser, etc. For everyone passionate about discus, visiting a show like this is a must... one day!

International jury judging the discus one by one in Duisburg, the discus World Championship held every 2 years. Photo from the 2006 edition.

A trophy, a dream come true... in Duisburg. In the year 2000, besides being named the best Portuguese breeder, I took 5th place in the Brown class and 8th place in the Pigeon Blood class. Among more than 500 participants.

Winner of "Best off the Show", a breeder from Malaysia, in the year 2000. The springboard to success in the world of discus, beyond borders

Most of the great breeders came out of anonymity after achieving a good placing at this event. Others prefer not to take part so as not to put their fish under stress, or because of the long journey. In several participations I never had any major problem, except for one huge loss when in 2004 two of my best fish were lost during the trip. The airline lost the hold cargo, including all my clothes. I still remember with sadness the loss of those two excellent fish that I was taking to the competition and that I had prepared in the best possible way to take part.

Red class - A beautiful Marlboro Red, winner of the class. A fish of enormous grace, simply perfect, with no artificial coloration, bright red eyes and a size above 20 cm

Blue class - 2004 winner, one of the most fantastic Blue Diamonds I have seen in my whole life. Perfect shape, fabulous eyes, balanced fins, nothing to add... The winner, from Taiwan, entered with 3 of these fish, all siblings, and simply won the first 3 places in the class.

Among the participants we find people of all nationalities. Incredible as it may seem, a Brazilian has never taken part, nor any Spaniard. Portugal was represented in 2000 by me and by an old friend from the Algarve whom I brought to this World Championship. Since then I have taken part alone, even though every year I try to persuade other breeders and discus lovers to do so... Personally, being among the "cream" of the best in the world is already a victory, and taking part and mixing with people from all over the world is something fantastic for anyone who loves discus. Many contacts are made, many secrets are revealed. In the first year I was left open-mouthed when the winner from Malaysia sold his best fish for the small fortune of €25,000 to a Japanese buyer!! In fact, the last day of the fair turns into a real auction of the best fish of the event. It looks like a day on the New York stock exchange, with everybody making purchase offers for the best fish... something unforgettable!!!

HOW TO PREPARE A DISCUS FOR THE COMPETITION