Discuss Vs African Chiclids

[rleigh]

I am getting a new 55 gallon tank for xmass, I already have a 90 & 55 gallon tanks with tetras & mollies. I have about 10 yrs of experenice. My Local fish store recently got a shipment of about 20 - 4 inch Discuss.
The Owner said they could hold the Discuss for me until i get my tank and it has cycled, I also like the Sizes and Colors of the African Chiclids. I would like to start the new tank in a different direction. Should i go with the Discuss or Should i Start an African Chiclid Tank.

Suggestions !!!!

 

[CluelessScot]

I would personally go for the african cichlids. Discus are nice but the africans seem to be very interesting. What ever way you go its gonna be hard work so good luck with it all and i hope you will post some pics once you have it up n running with your choice of fish

Kev

 

[rleigh]

How Many African Chiclids ? Type ? For a 55 gallon.
I think i Would prefer ONE Type.

 

[Genesis]

some african cichlids, such as malwis and convicts have to be kept in a species only tank just too agressive to be kept with most other fish

 

[prankster705]

I would go for disscus as they are FULL of personality, and have the best colors imaginable, plus grow quite big and are one of the smartest fish out there, in my opinion they are obviusly better than aricans. And 'genesis convicts are american cichlids (not sure; either central or south american).

 

[Bloo]

I think it really depends on what your water is like. It's always easiest to adjust water just a little. Discus needs a very low pH and soft water and most African Cichlids exactly the opposite - very high pH with hard water. It would make sense to go with what you have.
Also keep in mind that (depending on your water) you might have to do part RO water - but some people with good / ideal tapwater can get away with doing little to nothing to it.

 

[Genesis]

And 'genesis convicts are american cichlids (not sure; either central or south american).

darn, anyway, the point was that if you want to keep agressive cichlids they are almost all species only

 

[prankster705]

Bloozoo, disscus can adapt to higher PH if it's stable (hm now, where is john nicholson to help him, ah he will be here sooner or latter). If you want a fast response about specifications try posting in african cichlids subforums about africans and in the american cichlids subforum for disscus.

 

[Bloo]

You are right - but I feel for fish to thrive, not just survive they do best in their true water conditions. And why struggle with adaptation if you don't have to ?
So, if rleigh has a choice and his/her water leans more towards one set of parameters, it would make obvious sense to get the fish best suited the that water - would it not ?

 

[prankster705]

Yes OK... Altogh I just love disscus... But africans are nice too... And about PH I would like to say this: THE ADJUSTMET CAN ONLY BE MADE SLOWLY ON CAPTIVE BRED DISSCUS!! Sorry for the caps lock on, just wanted for everyone to read it. And if you like plants then go for disscus as you can't really have em with africans.

 

[prankster705]

So have you decided on what to do ?

 

[Ethos]

I have juvi af. cichlids right now....and I'm still waiting for their 'personality' to kick through

 

[rleigh]

I think i will try the african chiclids and make a rocky biotype setup.
I would like to get 8 to 10 of one species. What should I get ? I would like a "Blue" color fish.
Thanks !!!!!!

Randall

 

[prankster705]

You should get electric blue johani (sp?). Look at it in the fish index.

 

[IMCL85]

I kept both hehe both r very nice fish specially now I have some fry to raise from my nice discus. But how ever you should notice that in general african > discus in health they r consider much much more hardier then discus were. And if you are first time keeping them its suggested to read alot before making bad error as they aren't cheap fish well unless u r like me who going to go to another country and see how fish goes hehe. I probably will bring some back from hong kong in march. since they r like 40 dollars each in chinese and get bow deal is even cheaper. But in opinion discus also very hardy they just dont eat if they got problem but usually will last very long as well. A regular deworming is nessary step. And african is usually suggested if you cant do daily water change . For african I love frontosa the king of african in my dictionary. Hardy with good personality and not to mention sexy coloration when mature.


Good luck