Discus

[newfishaddict]

Hi, my 90g with discus in it has a open top. Are discus known to jump? I really want to keep the top open but I also dont want to find a discus on the floor someday.

I thought about making a plexi glass top that will only be 2 inches wide and go around the perimiter of my open top..

any comments?

 

[paulf]

They do.

I have seen a picture of a discus that has jumped into a breeding net if that helps???

I certainly wouldn't have them in an open topped tank, its too much of an investment to find it on the floor...

 

[kev_kb]

Sadly they will jump out! When frightened a Discus will bolt pretty fast, sometimes they can crash into the decor of the tank, and sometimes into the tank sides. I have read in a few books that when they swim into the side of the tank they can sometimes swim against the glass and straight out the top!

I would also think evaporation could be a problem with the water temperature Discus require in an open top tank.

 

[justandy333]

I have to agree. THe discus i saw in a local shop was frightened when it was netted and jumped into an adjacent aquarium. So i would reccomend a hood for you tank. As said before evaporation could be a problem so id put at least a perspex cover on it, But the condensation on it might look quite unsightly after a while because of the water marks left by it.
If it were me, id go for a proper hood. Then u could have the lighting built in also. hope this has helped. Good luck with it all.