Discus....

[MissClaire]

Hey all,

I recently bought two silver sharks and was informed the other day that silver sharks are a no no with discus.
Is this because they spook the discus because they are over active?
Would you suggest I keep them and see how it goes, or take try to take them back. I would prefer not to take them back as I dont like stressing them, but if it's going to upset my discus....

Opinions?
Cheers, Claire.

 

[asdf]

How big is your tank??

 

[MissClaire]

180 litres, sorry im not too sure of the dimensions, its approx a metre long (im at work so i cant measure it at the moment )

Currently housing:
3 juvenile discus
5 corydoras
2 silver sharks
small handlefull of neons and 2 rummynose tetras
2 snails
2 juvenile bristlenose
Would you say I am overstocked?
I know the silver sharks grow very large...

 

[asdf]

messure all you fish from snout to the begining on there tail and add that number together if it is above 36inches then your over stocked.

 

[MissClaire]

Oh geez that sounds like a mission!
I'll let you know how I go! Id be under that at the moment because most of my fish are juevniles....but id say when the grow older it would be pushing it.

 

[freddyk]

You are not overstocked as it stands now, but you will be when all thelittle fish grow. Remember, Discus need pristine water, and the more fish you have in the tank the harder it is to keep it this way.

 

[CFC]

Take the sharks back, they are far too active and large to be housed with discus, they also grow way too big for a 180 litre tank needing something in the region of 400 litres minimum to be kept when full grown.

With the sharks removed your stocking is fine and shouldnt pose any future problems providing you dont add much to it, though i would recomend changing the neons for cardinals (neons cant take the heat discus need) and boosting the ammount of rummynoses you have to at least 6.

 

[MissClaire]

Thank you for the advice CFC!
My neons have been in there a long time, i wasnt aware they couldnt handle the heat!...as for the sharks I will take them back! I used to have 6 rummys but unfortunatly during my 'bad luck' phase I lost four.

Here are some pics of my discus & tank if you would like to have a browse
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=68052

 

[asdf]

i think youl be ok if u had the discus and "maybe" one shark

 

[Phantom Thief]

i think youl be ok if u had the discus and "maybe" one shark

I absolutely disagree with you. There is no "maybe" to it, it's a downright no.

Firstly, as CFC mentioned earlier, these sharks need a minimum 400 litre tank. Secondly, these sharks are schooling fish, and certainly should not be put alone. Please, if you are not sure of what you are saying, at least do a little research first

P.T.

edited for spelling

 

[asdf]

I totally agree with you Phantom Thief

 

[Sanj]

Ditto with CFC and similar.

No Bala or any sharks in there with Discus.

Discus tanks are a major investment and fish no 1 in there should be the Discus because they are the most needy and the more expensive fish.

Discus need to be the Kings of thier tank and they are not exactly pushy fis hthat hold their own against more boisterous fellows. Even angels can out compete them in feeding etc. It is possible to keep angels and dicus together, but also many peeps frown on it.


I am sooo really tempted to do Discus, but it is quite a bit of time, effort and money.

If I do this I will have to trade in my Angels and Congos, to make room.

Rummys and Cardinals are excellent dither fish to go with these guys.

Temp should be 28-30C for these guys Ideally min water changes 25% weekly and better still to use RO. Overtime dissolved metal in the water will build up and be detrimental to discus health.

 

[Sanj]

Oh and your Red Turquoise(??) is gorgeous! I want it