Discus compatability?

[tommyskinner]

My roomate and i purchased a 55 gal. tank last semester, it has been set up for 6 months or so now. In it we have a Black Ghost Knife (Mr. Giggly), a Fire Eel (Stewie), a polka dot and striped botia, and then a borneo sucker and a pair of pastel show guppies. My roomates 21st birthday is next week and I know he loves discus and really wants to get some. I was wondering if you think a discus would be ok in this tank because i would like to get him one as a present. The only fish we have lost in the tank was a irridesant shark. No signs of disease or anything else of the sort, and all the fish seem to get along great. Any ideas or help would be great, thank you very much.

 

[annka5]

I'd think that one discus alone would not be happy - they're more shoaling fish, but also do fine as an adult pair.
However, with what you have in your tank and discus' demand for very clean water am not sure that realistically you'd have the space.
Have not kept any of the fish that you do, but generally discus need very placid tank mates, or else small tetra's to act as dither fish. They also need higher-than-average tropical temparatures - am not sure if the fish you keep now fit into that profile or not.

 

[Cheese Specialist]

Borneo sucker being a hillstream loach?

If so that should not even be in a tropical tank (it's a very coldwater fish).

I don't think your tank is right for discus and young ones need to be in groups and adult pairs cost a small fortune.

 

[John_Nicholson]

Unless they are a breeding pair you need at least 6 discus to have a good shot at success. While not overly aggressive towards other fish they have a definite pecking order with other discus. In a group less then 6 the weakest will normally get singled out. Once he gets weak he gets ill and dies, then the next weakest one starts getting picked on. This will continue until there is none left. Having at least 6 helps to spread the agression out. You will still have one or two that do not grow out well but that is the nature of the beast.

-john

P.S. They also do better in bare bottom tanks with massive water changes daily until grown