Discus Facts...

[DiscusAngel]

Here is someinformation i have decided to look through my books and on the internet and this is the overall outcome.

Wild caught discus (Brown discus) grow to 8"
Tank Bred discus (Red, blue etc) Grow to 5"

Tank sizes (for 5 discus on there own this is)
Wild caught discus at 8" need 40 gal MIN as 8" x 5 discus make 40 gal.
Tank bred discus at 5" need 25 gal MIN as 5" x 5 discus make 25 gal
(Only min stated upgrade more sufficient.)
Temps
Both at 28 - 32c

Feeding
Bloodworms flake and brineshrimp

Filteration
double what is needed for the tank

This is what info is in my books and on the internet that i have researched of there is any thing that anyone thinks is wrong please post that. but this is what i have found. so dont rant and rave at me this is what the experts say.

 

[angelmouse]

When i done my research i looked up some breeders and specialist websites and was told Discus need need aprox 10galls per fish` even though they don`t grow to 10". There as so many different opinons on these fish it makes it difficult to know what advice to take. I don`t think discus are as difficult to keep as some people say. Their growth can be stunted with wrong conditions.
It will be helpful to see what other people think to this as i would to put a couple more discus in my tank if i thought i could. But also if you add the gravel/bogwood/plants/tetras/corys and other things that might go in the tank a 25 gal tank could be more like a 18-20gal.
Angel

 

[DiscusAngel]

When i done my research i looked up some breeders and specialist websites and was told Discus need need aprox 10galls per fish` even though they don`t grow to 10". There as so many different opinons on these fish it makes it difficult to know what advice to take. I don`t think discus are as difficult to keep as some people say. Their growth can be stunted with wrong conditions.
It will be helpful to see what other people think to this as i would to put a couple more discus in my tank if i thought i could. But also if you add the gravel/bogwood/plants/tetras/corys and other things that might go in the tank a 25 gal tank could be more like a 18-20gal.
Angel

O right, but when you consider Discus as shoaling fish i dont think they need 10gal per discus and its suppose to be a known fact tank bred discus dont reach there potentional size of 8-10" as in home aquarias they only reach about 6".. yes i agree with you that there are so many opinions and views on discus. discus arent atall hard to keep in my opinion. as you sed when adding bogwood plants gravel etc all taking away more water so this reduces by a few gallons.

 

[paul-discus]

Of caurse their is a maximum stocking density but i have had 9 discus in a 75 gallon tank for ages along with rummy nose and lemon tetras, 2 dozen corys, a pair of rams and 2 L plecs. At the moment one pair of discus have young in the tank and another pair are spawning at the other end. Not one fish is under stress, I do DAILY water changes and give a varied diet. You have to have a certain amount of common sense when keeping discus but do what suits you, but personally i believe diet and water changes are the critical things. All my discus are a good size and i always believe in keeping odd numbers as the pecking order doesn't seem to be so boisterous then. I also believe in getting them tame that way they will spawn readilly as they are not frightened by sudden movements. Anybody that can't keep a tank clean and care for them properly shouldn't have discus, it's as simple as that really, they are'nt a hard fish to keep but you do need a certain amount of knowledge, they are'nt a begginers fish.

 

[DiscusAngel]

Of caurse their is a maximum stocking density but i have had 9 discus in a 75 gallon tank for ages along with rummy nose and lemon tetras, 2 dozen corys, a pair of rams and 2 L plecs. At the moment one pair of discus have young in the tank and another pair are spawning at the other end. Not one fish is under stress, I do DAILY water changes and give a varied diet. You have to have a certain amount of common sense when keeping discus but do what suits you, but personally i believe diet and water changes are the critical things. All my discus are a good size and i always believe in keeping odd numbers as the pecking order doesn't seem to be so boisterous then. I also believe in getting them tame that way they will spawn readilly as they are not frightened by sudden movements. Anybody that can't keep a tank clean and care for them properly shouldn't have discus, it's as simple as that really, they are'nt a hard fish to keep but you do need a certain amount of knowledge, they are'nt a begginers fish.

i agree with you there. if oyu think about it your spose to over stock when having tetras etc because they shoal. but why can you do the same with discus i think the 10gal per discus is a load of B and how big are yours paul? i keep mine iwth 4 baby angels.

 

[angelmouse]

Yes it does seem abit much especially if you`ve got filteration and do plenty of water changes surely that would mean you can have afew more fish? Mbuna tanks can be overstocked without harm to the fish.
Angel

 

[helsekia]

i like this thread its a good useful thread well done



I dont find my discus hard to keep and agree its down to water conditions and diet

 

[cheesy feet]

very useful.Only thing i can say is i think Cb discus can grow up to 8' as a breeder i bought my discus of had a 8 inch male snakeskin.Although he did WC every day etc.It's impossible for me so my discus arnt growing quickly

 

[freerunner416]

GREAT THREAD!!

I am hopefully getting discus and have been researching them alot and this is the first thread i have read (including ones on discus forums) that cuts through the c**p and gets the good points in! I agree with paul-discus that feeding and water changes seem to be the most important thing!! Filtration is a major part too. I am really looking forward to doing my tank now as i had started to get down about the hardship of buying them and maybe losing them!!!

Thanks for starting the thread¬!

 

[johnelka]

very useful.Only thing i can say is i think Cb discus can grow up to 8' as a breeder i bought my discus of had a 8 inch male snakeskin.Although he did WC every day etc.It's impossible for me so my discus arnt growing quickly

yes good point, i would treat a lot of so called rules as only guide lines. its good to bend the rules now and then .

 

[jayjay]

The fish can grow to full size.... The potential is there, just factors stop it, e.g. not a perfect diet, not enough water changes etc.

You shouldn't use the inch per gallon rule for these fish, they aren't slim slender 3" or under fish are they?

I'd say you should start off with a tall tank or at least 18" and at least 48" long. A 90g would be a good size in my opinion, you could get away with a good shoal of discus in that size tank. I wouldn't keep less than 6, for them to have a shoal.

The filtration will need to be good, wet/dry would be the best but cannisters would be fine as well. I'd aim for around 7x an hour turn over.

Heavily planted tanks are going to be best, due to the fish using the plants for shelter and the plants helping water quality.

Water changes, the more frequent, the faster the fish grow. The frequent water changes will keep the water in check as we all know as well. Young discus need very good water for growth, that would be why people recommend bare bottom tanks for young discus as they are easier to clean.

The main way I see problems in discus is black speckling/marks which indicate something is not right.

Tank mates need to be peaceful and able to handle the high temperatures, also not be too messy. I wouldn't go for angels in case they out compete the discus for food. Things like cardinals, cories (that can handle the temp.s) etc. are good choices in my opinion.

 

[angelmouse]

Still not convinced that 10 gal per fish is "total B", not enough evidence i think had another look at some specialist websites and all the ones i`ve looked at still recommend 10 gals . I am reasonably new to discus keeping and would love more fish, but i would not take the risk as these fish are expensive and although easier to keep than i first thought ,they are still delicate fish that need good water conditions,and that while i have have good filteration and frequent water changes, overstocking does more harm than understocking. But there are always exceptions to the rule
Angel

 

[kev_kb]

Wild caught discus (Brown discus) grow to 8"
Tank Bred discus (Red, blue etc) Grow to 5"

Tank sizes (for 5 discus on there own this is)
Wild caught discus at 8" need 40 gal MIN as 8" x 5 discus make 40 gal.
Tank bred discus at 5" need 25 gal MIN as 5" x 5 discus make 25 gal

Feeding
Bloodworms flake and brineshrimp

Don't want to sound rude here, but that info is completely and utterly wrong.

Tank bred discus should grow to more than 5", if they don't your doing something wrong! Around 8" would be a decent size, you may get the odd fish that doesn't reach full size, but to say all tank breds is BS.

An adult discus requires 10 gallons of water, and you should keep a min of 5 so that's 50 gal. With experience you can increase stocking a little though.

A 25 gal should certainly not house 5 adult discus!!! It could make a temporary home, but after time they will attack each other. It could be used for a breeding pair, but even then I would only do it while breeding.

As for feeding I'd add in pellet food such as Tetra Prima and the occasional beefheart mix.

 

[cheesy feet]

Do you keep discus?I didn't see the part about 5 discus per tank so yeh thats rong(no harm ment), but some discus will only grow to 5'.Do you know how big 8 inches is!

 

[jayjay]

I think most people know how big 8" is.... Fish that won't grow to full size I have found to be poor genes or just "freaks" (rare etc.).