How Big A Tank

[DebraAustin]

Hi,

I was wondering how big a tank (gal) I would need to get to house 6 dwarf platys, 6 white cloud tetras, six corys and three discus (or is it disci)? I am trying to plan how big a tank holder to buy or build, as I am redoing my office and need to plan the proper space for a bigger tank.

Thanks, Debra

 

[annka5]

Debra,
For discus, you should if you can keep a group of 6 or more. You need a minimum 55 gal tank, but bigger is far far better; reckon on 10 gals per discus plus extra space for any tank mates you add, with the minimum 55 galls.
More importantly, I think your choice of fish sounds lovely, but discus generally need far higher-than-average temperatures, whereas your white cloud mountain minnows need far lower temperatures. Sorry to be negative, but I don't see how it would work out as you currently see it.

 

[DebraAustin]

Debra,
For discus, you should if you can keep a group of 6 or more. You need a minimum 55 gal tank, but bigger is far far better; reckon on 10 gals per discus plus extra space for any tank mates you add, with the minimum 55 galls.
More importantly, I think your choice of fish sounds lovely, but discus generally need far higher-than-average temperatures, whereas your white cloud mountain minnows need far lower temperatures. Sorry to be negative, but I don't see how it would work out as you currently see it.

I'll have to look into that. All my fish are at 78-80 deg now and I had read that discus had a range between 82-90, so thought if I bumped the other fish up a bit and kept the discus at the lower end of their zone I could keep them all. Any other suggestions for some fish that would be kind of the show pieces for the tank that I could keep my other friends with, as well?

Debra

 

[dthoffsett]

Why not get some angelfish, they come in many different color patterns and look very graceful. I'd go for 55gal minimum, and you'd have to ask around for sure, but I think you could have 2 pairs of angels in a tank that size along w/the other fish. To pair angels, get several juveniles and when they reach sexual maturity they will pair off to breed. Then return the unpaired fish.

 

[DebraAustin]

Why not get some angelfish, they come in many different color patterns and look very graceful. I'd go for 55gal minimum, and you'd have to ask around for sure, but I think you could have 2 pairs of angels in a tank that size along w/the other fish. To pair angels, get several juveniles and when they reach sexual maturity they will pair off to breed. Then return the unpaired fish.

I thought angel fish were aggressive and were not good community tank mates. My platys are dwarfs and quite small and I would hate for them to get eaten by another fish, or even bit.

Debra

 

[Inchworm]

Hi Debra

If you are planning on getting discus, I'd like to recommend that you find some C. sterbai to go along with them. These beautiful corys are often kept with discus because they are one of the few corys that can thrive in the warm temperatures that discus require.

http/www.planetcatfish.com/cotm/cotm.php?article_id=149

 

[DebraAustin]

Hi Debra

If you are planning on getting discus, I'd like to recommend that you find some C. sterbai to go along with them. These beautiful corys are often kept with discus because they are one of the few corys that can thrive in the warm temperatures that discus require.

http/www.planetcatfish.com/cotm/cotm.php?article_id=149

Thanks for the idea. I think I need to do more research on the discus needs. It doesn't look like they will fit with my already started family and I want a new home for all my current fishies, so they can have more friends of the same kind.

I'm looking for ideas on other types of fish that can be kinda like showcase fish, but are community friendly with other tropical fish that don't have a lot of special requirements.

Debra

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

I'd have to second that white clouds don't make good tropical fish, they are sub-tropical fish that prefer tanks with strong current/filtration and high oxygen levels and low tropical/warm coldwater temps :nods: .
They are very hardy fish, so can survive in tropical temps, but won't really thrive and will be more prone to deseases- if you haven't got them already, i would get another type of fish instead to replace them .

I don't have any experience with discus personally, but i have heard they are pretty hard to keep so might not be the best of fish to keep if you are looking for fish without any special requirements. What sort of size/length fish are you looking for as centre peice fish? Would you prefer to have one centre peice fish or a group or shoal ?

 

[DebraAustin]

I'd have to second that white clouds don't make good tropical fish, they are sub-tropical fish that prefer tanks with strong current/filtration and high oxygen levels and low tropical/warm coldwater temps :nods: .
They are very hardy fish, so can survive in tropical temps, but won't really thrive and will be more prone to deseases- if you haven't got them already, i would get another type of fish instead to replace them .

I don't have any experience with discus personally, but i have heard they are pretty hard to keep so might not be the best of fish to keep if you are looking for fish without any special requirements. What sort of size/length fish are you looking for as centre peice fish? Would you prefer to have one centre peice fish or a group or shoal ?

All of my fish are around 2" fully grown. I am looking for something larger, that is pretty colorful, and can be a single fish or a group. It has to be community friendly, as I plan to get full schools for my other fish. I have such a small tank, right now, that they do not have all the companions they should have and I want to correct that so they can be as happy and healthy as possible.

Maybe I have white skirt, instead of white cloud, they are a tetra and they seem to be doing absolutely great. I've had them about three months and they are healthy and showing excellent irridescent color. I guess I'll really know over the long run, but what I read before I bought them said they would be a good match (and that was from several web site information sites).

Debra

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Check out the forum fish index for tetras as they have info on quite a lot of species including pics ;

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showforum=40

If you for a slightly larger size tank, clown loaches can make very enjoyable attractive bottom-dwelling centre peice fish;

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=34953

An RTBS would also make a very attractive centre peice fish, but they should only be kept on their own;

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=41902

I have an RTBS myself and find it to be a great community fish as long as you don't mix them with fish that have a similar coloring or shark shaped body as they will become agressive to their own species or fish that look like them.

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