Discus And Rams

[gillicous]

hi can you put rams and discus together and do i have the room for a pair?
thanks

 

[KkAaNnEe]

They are perfect, what species and tank size?

 

[gillicous]

ive got a 4' bow fronted (see sig) was thinking of a pair of butterfly rams

 

[KkAaNnEe]

Sorry cant see sig on my phone, yes they would be fine, is it just discus as the other stocking?

 

[hanny93]

Kane, OP has 3 discus, 3 clown loach, 3 platies, 9 cardinals and 1 algae loach.

Right, I'm no expert, but cloan loach need to be in big groups to be happy, in big tanks because they grow extremely large, can grow up to 12".


The cardinals would be better in a bigger group but thats not a problem ATM, and the algae loach I'd like to know more about..

 

[KkAaNnEe]

Right hmm, also 3 discus is all wrong, what if two were to pair up, the bullying would be really bad.

Also +1 on the clown loaches, four foot is not big enough. The cardinals are ok, but would 'look better' in a larger schoal.

I would suggest looking at and revising your stocking before going any further, i dont think there is any need for the clown loaches, replace them with discus and then get your rams. Also any sort of loach can be liable to start sucking on the discus if not careful

 

[gillicous]

the clown loach do grow big at the moment they are only 1 1/2" long the discus are only 2 1/2" as the fish grow so i will have to upgrade. The clown loach from what ive had feedback from other people will be ok with a min of 3 the algea loach ive found out is a sae so will have to rehome due to territory issues. ive recently upgraded to this tank if i go to the size they will grow to you would not see the fish for space so in time will go bigger when fish and funds dictate

 

[hanny93]

didnt think of the bullying thing, i know youre supposed to keep odd numbers but obviously more than 3.

OP,
get rid of thos e clowns and possibly algae loach depending on what it is, get a few more dicus and then you should be okay for rams

Right edit, I dont like the whole 'ill upgrade later' - what if you dont have the funds when the fish need a bigger tank? Then you run the risk of stunting,

 

[KkAaNnEe]

Discus really are better in a dedicated setup, clowns are a bit quick and dont stop moving which could stress out the discus somewhat. I dont think you will take our advice about te clowns and thats up to you, but i wouldnt suggest going and adding more species to that specific tank.

 

[gillicous]

Right hmm, also 3 discus is all wrong, what if two were to pair up, the bullying would be really bad.

Also +1 on the clown loaches, four foot is not big enough. The cardinals are ok, but would 'look better' in a larger schoal.

I would suggest looking at and revising your stocking before going any further, i dont think there is any need for the clown loaches, replace them with discus and then get your rams. Also any sort of loach can be liable to start sucking on the discus if not careful

cool was thinking the same about the sae was going to keep the cardinals small i want to put in some red eyes or some zebra danios at some time so there would be 2 shoals of different colours thats if they will go the tank is all looking a bit red and orange at the moment any other s i could put in instead?
there are a breeding pair of discus at the moment in a second tank

 

[KkAaNnEe]

Rummy nose tetras are a good addition but i would seriously consider getting rid of the clown loaches, your just a couple steps away from having great stocking compatability, do you like them that much?

 

[gillicous]

i do like the clowns but if they are going to be that big a prob then i will rehome them ,my mate has a 7 foot tank built into his lounge he will take them from me he really likes them and has the room for them
thanks for advice and just to say i do take all advice on board

 

[KkAaNnEe]

Ok great, no problem

 

[gillicous]

any ideas as a replacement on an algae eater if i get rid of the sae other than a plec or otto?

 

[hanny93]

You shouldnt really need one tbh. If you have algae iussues, reduce lighting hours.