Discus

[nmore]

i want to get new discus so needed some help right from tank size up i'm looking forward to get 2 blue turquiose and 2 red maps so what size tank should i go for ??
i have kept some fishes in the past i've had oscars blood parrots n stuff like that but from what i hear discus' are real delicate fishes is that true and what are the possible tank mates that i can have ??

and ya a cousin of mine has discus e says they do best with bare tanks no gravel sand plants nothing is that true??

 

[Dylan_89]

Discus prefer a taller tank as that is how they grow... so 2ft tall should be enough for the discus you want to get... for just the 4 discus... around 40-50 gallons should be fine.. and you can add in some tankmates.

Such as:
- Tetras (pretty much any kind)
- Pleco (pref a bristlenose as they don't get that big)
- Loaches (but beware of the Loaches size, as they can out-grow a 50gallon tank.

It is a common misconception that Discus are VERY delicate - just like any other fish they require special care. If you keep their water between the suggested parameters (just google these if you're not sure) and make sure to not have big fluctuations in the water, then Discus aren't difficult at all...

As far as bare tanks goes.. it depends... do you want the fish to be seen 100% of the time.. or would you like a nice tank that the fish will enjoy and actually looks pleasing to the eye?
Discus PREFER planted tanks with lots of wood and stuff. A still tank is preferred (but make sure there is enough agitation to supply oxygen). Substrate doesn't matter as the discus don't really forage through it, but sand or gravel is fine - whatever your preference (however if u choose to get Loaches or a bristlenose they usually prefer sand to gravel)

Cheers,
Dylan

 

[simonas]

being a keeper I wouldn;t advocate loaches. I;mpresently selling my loaches as they scare the discus being so boisterous and eat al ot of their food
Also bristlenose are a cool plec but you have to be wary of the plec suckingon the side of the discus for their mucus, I;ve had that in the past

 

[nmore]

thanks i thought they needed lenghty tanks rather than tall ones i got a cube 25 gal it's 1.5 ft every side

so what do you guys think about

maybe 2 x discus
6 x cardinal tetra's or maybe black widow
and 2 x real tiny clown loachs

i know i heard of that pleco thing as well so i won't be putting that in the reason for the loaches is that they are already housed in the tank got no where to go and like them

so what do you guys think this'll work???

thanks

ya the decorations will go in too i love planted tanks

 

[simonas]

you wouldn;t get the best out of the discus like that. whats the tank dimensions?

discus are relatively nervous till settled and prefer being kept in a group. I have 6 but feel like they would feel more secure as an 8 or 9

As I said before I would forget the clown loach and besides clown loach also prefer there own company and wouold probably fight as a two

again not sure on your tank dimensions but would suggest at least 4 discus, 6 corydoras and say 15 cardinal tetras

 

[nmore]

you wouldn;t get the best out of the discus like that. whats the tank dimensions?

discus are relatively nervous till settled and prefer being kept in a group. I have 6 but feel like they would feel more secure as an 8 or 9

As I said before I would forget the clown loach and besides clown loach also prefer there own company and wouold probably fight as a two

again not sure on your tank dimensions but would suggest at least 4 discus, 6 corydoras and say 15 cardinal tetras

my tank is a 1.5 ft height length and width 25 gal well i can get a bigger tank no issues with that then the loaches can keep this ank well not seen them fight yet so don't know about that

and how many discus do you say i need minimum to keep them good and what should be the dimension of the tank for it to fit some variety of fishes

you guys have been nice and i appreciate the help thanks

 

[simonas]

just spotted your tank size 18inch cube!!! No way near big enough for discus I;m afraid

As for the clown loach again this tank is no good for them, clown loach prefer being in groups plus they quickly get to about 5-6 inches before slowing down but then going on to attain much bigger sizes. A clown loach likes to swim the length of the tank in decent flow so your tank is not good for the loaches at all

If your wan;t to stock that tank you can do so in many ways but its best to set the tank up right from the start rather than squeezing fish in to your tank with a view to moving them on or buying a bigger tank in the future

Simon

 

[nmore]

ya i learned that the hard way with my blood parrots you know that's why i'm asking now for the discus will get a new tank for them so dimensions??

i want to pack around maybe 8 discus'

well the cardinals are going to go i there too so

 

[Dylan_89]

I've never had a single problem keeping bristlenoses & clown loaches with my discus.. I even have a BGK in the tank as well!

It may just be my fish, but they all seem placid and leave other fish alone... during feeding, sure there is competition, but every fish eats a healthy amount..

Yeah your tank is unfortunately too small for discus

 

[simonas]

If you really want 8 discus then bearing in mind how big they are when they are full size I;d say 120gallons. I think one of the must haves with the discus would be a big shoal of tetra as well

 

[nmore]

so around 15 gal per fish right?? and how many tetra's will i need in that tank?? and any other fish then you've already mentioned that can be put in i can manage to get a 120 gal tank

 

[simonas]

you could keep a group of corydoras I have sterbai andthey are full of character, different tetras , angels although I sold mine on as they were too bossy with the food, apistos, rams etc

I;m looking for hatchetfish for the surface

 

[nmore]

so say if i go for 8 discus' 24 cardinal tetra's corydoras are a bit hard to find around here plecos are common but not an option clown loachs are gettable but ruled out i've seen hillstream loaches @ my lfs will they do and leave out everything else just 8 discus and 24 cardinals in a 120 doesn't that look overcrowded??

sorry i have no idea about discus' so

thanks

 

[simonas]

hillstream loaches if they are the ones I think they are , are cooler water with higher flow and oxygen content

I wouldn;t say overstocked there although the 8 discus if reach full size may be slightly too big but you;d be fine getting there

 

[ajs2294]

If you are at all serious about keeping discuss you really need to put in some serious research. Playing these fish off as easy to keep or not delicate is just a lie to be honest. Most Discus require frequent maintenance and a good amount of observation to stop sickness. With that said for 8 fish your looking at a bare minimum of 90 gallons. 25 gallons wouldn't be enough for a pair of angelfish never mind discus.