How Big A Tank Would I Need...?

[seizethecupcake]

Also when going to get fish, don't take your partner if they know nothing...it's like having a whinging toddler with you - my boyfriend cannot for the life of him understand why he can't have the cute little jack dempsey's in the lfs in my 2.5ft tank with my angel, dwarf gourami and pictus...

It's rare when I can get my husband to show any interest at all in my fish If he had HIS way, I'd never set foot into a LFS again in my lifetime!

 

[mattlee]

remember that the tiny cute fish you see may well become a 2ft monster within a year so look at potential adult size when making your list.

I've made this mistake and trust me, not a good feeling when you find out your adorable little cute fish will be unhappy in it's tank

I've read and been told to not put Angels or ANY fast moving fish with Discus as they themselves are slower moving fish and wouldn't be too happy. For example, I'm considering starting up a 4ft+ Discus tank and shifting my black ghost knife fish into there as he/she is a slower moving fish (or so they tell me, mine is a complete nutcase!).

Also when going to get fish, don't take your partner if they know nothing...it's like having a whinging toddler with you - my boyfriend cannot for the life of him understand why he can't have the cute little jack dempsey's in the lfs in my 2.5ft tank with my angel, dwarf gourami and pictus...

angels themselves arent a fast moving fish but putting them with discus is hit and miss as they can pass on parasites to each other although i think this is more in the case of wild caught specimins. another reason is that angels are very greedy and compared to discus fast eaters so can easily out compete the discus for food.
fast moving fish can spook discus but a large group of cardinals or similar shoaling fish that can withstand the high heats discus require make the discus feel safe.