Discus info

[paulthegreat]

Hi,
I need to get some info on discus. I have a 125gal(488liter) that I am in the process of stocking. I thought that maybe I could get a few discus to put in but do not know if they will fit in with the others(see my signature). Can you have just one or do they need to be in groups? Are they agressive? Are they victims of bullies? Are they difficult to maintain? How long do they live? A bit of help would be very welcome.

Thanks
PTG

 

[paulthegreat]

Anybody?

 

[Siamese Fighter05]

I've never kept discus or plecs but ive read about plecs sucking onto discus because of their flat body shape. So im not sure if theyd be ok in your set-up. Also your loaches may be too active for them

 

[Clairel]

My brother has 2 Discus in his tank, plus a really big plec, and he has had no problems with his !!

I dont really know much about them, they like bogwood, and are quite shy, i also like them very much myself, i may look into getting 2 once i have read up some more about them

Good luck

Claire x

 

[modernhamlet]

Discus aren't really community fish and have fairly strict maintenance requirements that will be hard to meet if you have lots of other fish in there with them. It could work, but just about every discuss keeper I know keeps them alone or with a single school of tetras.

 

[OIJ]

You want to put discus in a tank with the Denver Broncos. ....your signature. It would be too crowded in there.

 

[annka5]

They need very low levels of nitrate, zero nitrite and ammonia. So lots of water changes.
need to be in warmer than normal water conditions eg around 28C.
Need to be in groups of 6 plus, or an adult, BREEDING pair.
Reckon on 10 gallons per fish. Obviously this doesn't mean you could keep 1 in a 10 gallon tank though!
Only house with peaceful, calming tankmates. They will get very stressed with particularly active fish, they will do badly with anything aggressive.
Best kept in bare-bottomed tanks when juvenille -this means you can keep the water very clean. They will suffer stunting if they are not kept in immaculate conditions as juvenilles.
Life expectancy -typically around 8 years.

 

[John_Nicholson]

annka5 good post!

-john

 

[Clairel]

My brother has his 2 Discus in with 1 angel, 1 parrot fish, 2 sharks, 2 silver dollars...and 3 other fish i havnt a clue what there name is...

C x

 

[John_Nicholson]

He is setting himself up for a fall.

Good luck.

-john

 

[sylvia]

Your neon tetras won't appreciate becoming snacks Actualy, the size tank you have would be perfect for discus if you took the time to meet their requirements but a lot of the fish you currently own won't like the high temps or (like the neons) are simply incompatible. I'd avoid them for the time being. Maybe, in future, if you're stocking has changed, they would make a more suitable addition.

 

[paulthegreat]

Thanks Sylvia and Annka5,

I really did not know much about Dicus so it was very helpful. I guess I will be going with some Clown loaches and a group of Gouramis.