55g Discus Tank

[fish-aholic]

Well it seems I will be receiving a 55g for Christmas. Currently I am thinking of the stock to be some like: 5 discus, 4 corys, 2 small plecos (any sugestions?), 25 cardinal tetras, and 10 rummy nose tetras. I am also thinking about either one or two whiptails or killies. I will be building a wet/dry to go along my canister for extra filtration.

 

[eschaton]

I'm not a discus guy (I think they're ugly actually), but as to the rest of the stocking, while four Corys are doable, I'd make it at least six. Given Discus like it warm you'll probably best off with Corydoras Sterbai (most other species like cooler water). Probably the best plecos to look into are the gold nugget species (some of which get big) or the Panque species.

 

[fish-aholic]

Probably the best plecos to look into are the gold nugget species (some of which get big) or the Panque species.

What about some bristlenoses?

 

[eschaton]

I don't think bristlenoses work, as they are colder-water plecos

I pulled up this list on Planet Catfish of "Plecos" that can tolerate water at 86 degrees (what you'll need your temp set at). Look through it and see what strikes your fancy.

 

[fish-aholic]

I really like the Oligancistrus sp. (L030), but I have no idea where to get it.

 

[chrisdoesntmiss]

I think that the amount of discus you want may be a little tight for a 55 Gallon. Especially when they get to about 2 years old. I think that the number of discus could be replaced by marbled angelfish. They do not require the space nor such a strict maintenance schedule.

The rest of your stocking sounds brilliant though.

Chris

 

[SJ2K]

I too would believe that to be a bit on the small size for discus, although concidering the filtration I wouldnt say it cant be done if done carefully

Id say no on the gold nuggests as a 14" fish may struggle but yes for a pair of BN's and maybe a bulldog plec for variation

Good luck and enjoy!

 

[chrisdoesntmiss]

The plecs a difficult one to choose, some may find it a very tempting offer to munch on the side of your discus if your not carful. Making a horrible mess. It may be a better idea to go for something like ottos, SAE that sort of thing. Then again if you manage to get your hands on a pair of Zebra plecs and breed them you probably will forget you even have discus. lol


Chris

 

[chrisdoesntmiss]

Just been having a think and i am sure you could have 5 healthy adult discus in there, i would however think less about other fish, you dont want to overstock to badly but if you had some ottos and dozen of so neons you would be fine. Plenty or surface agitation and massive filtering and you have no problems.

 

[freshwaterfishlover]

I would go with 5 Discus and nothing else in the tank. Then It would be fine.

My 45 Gallon/171L Tank

2 Angels
3 Clown Loches
6 Black Skirted Tetras
2 Banded Gourami
1 Bristelnose Pleco
1 Comet Goldfish

You could do my stock and add one more Angel and it would be good.

 

[chrisdoesntmiss]

I think you could actually get away with 5 discus, some corys, neons and maybe a few shrimp, a very light bioload after the discus.

Chris

 

[fish-aholic]

I think you could actually get away with 5 discus, some corys, neons and maybe a few shrimp, a very light bioload after the discus.

Chris

Thank you for all your help, but angel mouse has a larger stock and she is doing great. The discus even bred in her tank.

Anglemouse:

Hi fish-aholic, I have 5 discus (1 red turk, 1 piegonblood red, 1 red marlborough, 1 brilliant turk, 1 blue diamond), 3 corys, 1 bristlenose, 25 cardinal tetras, 5 rummynose tetras, and 2 angels which wont stay they are in there till i can rehome them imo it looked better without them as the discus are such graceful fish i think with the fast moving angels it doesnt look so tranquill in there.

 

[chrisdoesntmiss]

Thats true, just to clarify, is your tank 55 gallons US or UK?

 

[fish-aholic]

55 US

 

[chrisdoesntmiss]

check with angelmouse as to what gallonage hers is in uk and us, if its uk gallons it actually works out bigger than its us counterpart.

Chris