Disus Experts Anywhere?

[roseK]

i dont have discus' and im not sure of even getting them. ive done research but no where does it answer the following questions, so if you know the answer plz tell me

1 shoaling? how many is a good group

2 what size tank for a shoal of them

3 are they agressive towards bottom feeders?

 

[DiscusKeeper403]

i dont have discus' and im not sure of even getting them. ive done research but no where does it answer the following questions, so if you know the answer plz tell me

1 shoaling? how many is a good group

2 what size tank for a shoal of them

3 are they agressive towards bottom feeders?

1. 5 Discus minimum is best, more is better, but you need a bigger tank, i've heard people getting away with four though
2. Each Discus needs a minimum of 10 or 11 gallons (not including other fish)
3 Some Discus may be aggressive to other fish, but I highly doubt bottom feeders (unless they're breeding)


BTW I'm not expert, but I could answer your Q's

 

[roseK]

do u think i cou get away with a small group of three in a 33 gal with a cory of some sort?

 

[DiscusKeeper403]

do u think i cou get away with a small group of three in a 33 gal with a cory of some sort?

It might get a little bloody. I would have a spare tank ready, as well as a divider (you may need to seperate all of them) just incase you get too much aggression. In this senerio, I would suggest a small shoal of large tetras. Even better, get 6 or 7, wait for a pair, and you could have two in the 33 gallon with less risk.

 

[roseK]

well i read that bigger ones like to be in pairs, but when they are smaller they feel mpre secure in larger groups.

i would have an all discus tank, but i dont want it getting too dirty, thats why i wanted a cat fish or sucker.


if i had three by themselves would they nip at each other?

 

[DiscusKeeper403]

well i read that bigger ones like to be in pairs, but when they are smaller they feel mpre secure in larger groups.

i would have an all discus tank, but i dont want it getting too dirty, thats why i wanted a cat fish or sucker.


if i had three by themselves would they nip at each other?

When I say pair, I mean breeding pair. If you had two, even big ones, they would get very spooked, and very stressed most of the time.

Don't get a Pleco. Most types will suck on to the rich slime coat of the Discus (i've been told it isn't a pretty sight.) I also think that they produce too much waste, in most cases I only recommend Plecos for people with bad algal problems, because they think it cleans the tank, but it really just makes more of a mess (very messy fish if you know what I mean )

3 could get pretty nippy. You would have a dominant one, and depending on his temperment, he could kill the others (thats why you need a back up plan if something does go wrong)

 

[roseK]

well i read that bigger ones like to be in pairs, but when they are smaller they feel mpre secure in larger groups.

i would have an all discus tank, but i dont want it getting too dirty, thats why i wanted a cat fish or sucker.


if i had three by themselves would they nip at each other?

When I say pair, I mean breeding pair. If you had two, even big ones, they would get very spooked, and very stressed most of the time.

Don't get a Pleco. Most types will suck on to the rich slime coat of the Discus (i've been told it isn't a pretty sight.) I also think that they produce too much waste, in most cases I only recommend Plecos for people with bad algal problems, because they think it cleans the tank, but it really just makes more of a mess (very messy fish if you know what I mean )

3 could get pretty nippy. You would have a dominant one, and depending on his temperment, he could kill the others (thats why you need a back up plan if something does go wrong)

lumpy potatoes. i think they are such lovely fish. and im making a bigger tank for my turtle already, my parents wont lt me get a bigger one. rahhhh

would two of the same gender get nippy? i have had pairs of other fish (which i call "life partners")

and what kind of environment do they like?

 

[DiscusKeeper403]

well i read that bigger ones like to be in pairs, but when they are smaller they feel mpre secure in larger groups.

i would have an all discus tank, but i dont want it getting too dirty, thats why i wanted a cat fish or sucker.


if i had three by themselves would they nip at each other?

When I say pair, I mean breeding pair. If you had two, even big ones, they would get very spooked, and very stressed most of the time.

Don't get a Pleco. Most types will suck on to the rich slime coat of the Discus (i've been told it isn't a pretty sight.) I also think that they produce too much waste, in most cases I only recommend Plecos for people with bad algal problems, because they think it cleans the tank, but it really just makes more of a mess (very messy fish if you know what I mean )

3 could get pretty nippy. You would have a dominant one, and depending on his temperment, he could kill the others (thats why you need a back up plan if something does go wrong)

lumpy potatoes. i think they are such lovely fish. and im making a bigger tank for my turtle already, my parents wont lt me get a bigger one. rahhhh

would two of the same gender get nippy? i have had pairs of other fish (which i call "life partners")

and what kind of environment do they like?

It really doesn't matter about the gender, these guys don't go easy of themselves unless they are in a known pair. (they bond between themselves, and then start to breed) Discus are near impossible to sex, so the best way to get a pair, is to let them decide for themselves.

 

[roseK]

so i would need to get like 5... gah
there is no way i could get three to be a happy family!?

and environment? (i woudl do the research but u seem like you would know lol)

 

[DiscusKeeper403]

so i would need to get like 5... gah
there is no way i could get three to be a happy family!?

and environment? (i woudl do the research but u seem like you would know lol)

You can try 3, but make sure you can seperate them, just incase.

environment... your best to get little ones and grow them out. So I would say till' they get big (5"), keep them in a low current (you need a good filter, but try to deflect the current alittle), bare bottom, with pieces of drift wood and stuff. You could also do plants in clay pots, if you like the real plants. Once they grow to be mature, you can add substrate, but i've heard they need optimal water quality for them to grow properly. They also like soft, acidic water, but can adapt to others.

 

[roseK]

tear. my happy family *cry*

i have two filters going, and lots of plants right now. but i might be re homing my fish. i wasnt sure if they are fine with gravel or need some over subtrate? and why not when they are babies?

 

[DiscusKeeper403]

tear. my happy family *cry*

i have two filters going, and lots of plants right now. but i might be re homing my fish. i wasnt sure if they are fine with gravel or need some over subtrate? and why not when they are babies?

It's easier to keep a bare bottom tank clean. The plants will need gravel, and can be planted in terra cotta pots , with the gravel of course. Make sure the current isn't too strong, Discus aren't really made to handle fast moving currents.

 

[roseK]

there isnt really any current in my tank, only on the surface and then a small one that drops down through off center of my tank. but its not strong at all.

i think they are so pretty, andi want to be able to give them a happy home, but now that there is a risk of them all hating each other it makes me sad.

would they still ac that way if i got them all from the same place/original shoal?

 

[DiscusKeeper403]

there isnt really any current in my tank, only on the surface and then a small one that drops down through off center of my tank. but its not strong at all.

i think they are so pretty, andi want to be able to give them a happy home, but now that there is a risk of them all hating each other it makes me sad.

would they still ac that way if i got them all from the same place/original shoal?

I can't tell you for sure. It may or may not matter. All Cichlids are diffrent, they vary in personallity fish to fish, so you may get a group that are very peaceful, and fine with eachother, or you may not.

 

[roseK]

well. thats not helpful at all.


and they are completely fresh water right? but enjoy slightly acidic