Keeping Discus?

[Ian H]

Thinking of setting up a serious planted tank with some discus Just wondering if anyone had any info on them? had a quick google and found that they should be in groups of around 5 or 6 but can't find a decent tank size guide
I was thinking of a 48"x24"x24" tank for 6? but not sure if this would give them enough swimming space? the tank would be 100Gal (120 US Gal)

Also whats the "average" price for a nice discus? something like these:

Also what are those black spots? do all discus have them?

any info would be great

 

[kribensis12]

A 120 g would be perfect. You could fit 10 in there. A nice good quality discus can cost anywhere from 20 dollars ( E 10) to 250 dollars ( E 125). If you buy from Aquabid.com you are bound to find good deals there. The black dots are called "peppering". It is usually seen when the fish is stressed, when they are stressed, you will also their "stress "bars.

 

[Ian H]

i thought the over all volume would be fine but didnt know if they needed a longer tank than 4ft. As far as i know aquabid is US only?

Just been having a quick read on peppering, i thought it was from breeding different bloodlines?? maybe i got confused!!

I was expecting around £30 a fish should get some decent fish?

Also i've read about stunting small discuss if daily water changes are not done? whats the reason behind this?

 

[Mikaila31]

Locally around here grade A discus sell for about $55 each for a 2" fish. Larger fish, rarer colors, and pairs cost alot more.

 

[angelmouse]

Tank size is great for discus, you could have more than 5 or 6 but i would keep to that if you are new to them and add more if you wish later. The peppering does apear more if stressed or with a dark tank, but it is also down to breeding poor quality or a bad cross and apears mainly on pigeonblood based fish.
this is my pigeonblood with hardly any peppering and a red marlbrough(pigeon based) with abit on his nose

better quality fish are worth buying in the long run, the difference is emense.
expect to pay £20-25 for a 3" fish and £30-50 for adult
and heres afew to check out devotedly discus, essex discus and chens discus for good quality fish. i got mine from devotedly discus at 3" nearly 2 years ago.
Water quality is the key to keeping and maintaining Discus.
regards Angel

 

[tenohfive]

I know nothing about discus, but in my local Maidenhead Aquatics they sell for around £30.

I'll be going fish shopping today, will keep my eyes open and if I'm miles out I'll let you know.

 

[rocknurworld2006]

definately agree with good water quality , but daily water changes is too much!!

 

[angelmouse]

Daily waterchanges are usually only carried out to grow fry or v.young baby discus as they can be delicate and its said that they secrete a growth inhibiting hormone into the water so water needs to be diluted regulary, i didn't do daily waterchanges on my first batch of fry and it had a big impact on their growth and shape.
Older discus and adults are fine with once weekly waterchanges. Mine had smaller twice weekly changes untill they were fully grown.
another link for you Welsh Discus
regards Angel

 

[freerunner416]

Agree with angelmouse the water changes do make a difference with fry. It does depend on the time you have free though. If you dont have enough time buy slightly bigger discus.

I try to do a quarter tank every couple of days but if i miss one i end up doing a 50% at the weekend. Takes a while but you will get there.

Another good link for discus is http/www.kdcaquatics.com/ If you mention my name (Craig Manson) he will give you a wee discount. I have had fish from some of the other places but the fish from KDC were cracking!! He also keeps you informed all along the process unlike the other guys i have used who you have one contact with and thats it.

Goodluck matey.

 

[DiscusAngel]

just keep researching, and you will fully understand the heres and there of discus.

Your tank is fine like said if that was me i would have 7, i have always found odd numbers are better than even because when i had my larger tank i had 6 but i had to add another due to one aleways being bullied.

I now have a breeding pair of F4 grade royal snakeskin discus, and they cost me £220 for the pair, you can get good decent sized small (3") for anything from £32 per pair round my area.

 

[Ian H]

Thanks for all the advise guys (and gals!) I havnt got the tank yet, havnt got anything yet other than my community tank. Planning on doing a bit more research before getting some!!

 

[DiscusKeeper403]

A 120 g would be perfect. You could fit 10 in there. A nice good quality discus can cost anywhere from 20 dollars ( E 10) to 250 dollars ( E 125). If you buy from Aquabid.com you are bound to find good deals there. The black dots are called "peppering". It is usually seen when the fish is stressed, when they are stressed, you will also their "stress "bars.

Peppering is more just coloration of the Discus, it has nothing to do with what they are feeling. Sometimes the fish can show more peppering if stressed or sick, but they need "pepper" to begin with. I might add that stress bars are more "mood" bars, they don't always serve as a good sign for stress...

 

[Ian H]

A 120 g would be perfect. You could fit 10 in there. A nice good quality discus can cost anywhere from 20 dollars ( E 10) to 250 dollars ( E 125). If you buy from Aquabid.com you are bound to find good deals there. The black dots are called "peppering". It is usually seen when the fish is stressed, when they are stressed, you will also their "stress "bars.

Peppering is more just coloration of the Discus, it has nothing to do with what they are feeling. Sometimes the fish can show more peppering if stressed or sick, but they need "pepper" to begin with. I might add that stress bars are more "mood" bars, they don't always serve as a good sign for stress...

I'm also a bit confused as to how many i could have in that size tank? since they are shoaling fish i thought they would need quite a bit of space??

Also what are some other suitable tank mates? i was thinking rummy nose tetras and corydoras?

 

[DiscusAngel]

I'm also a bit confused as to how many i could have in that size tank? since they are shoaling fish i thought they would need quite a bit of space??

Also what are some other suitable tank mates? i was thinking rummy nose tetras and corydoras?

Well, if you get the 48x24x24 (100g) that you stated at the start of this post, you could get say 7/8 discus i would get 7 i feel they are best kept in odd numbers and then for other tank mates you still have plenty enough room as the discus rule is 1 per 10g so say you had 7 that leaves you with 30 gals of room to add dithers clean up crew etc. you could add a nice shoal of 20 rummynoses maybe more, and then a nice shoal of 8-10 cory cats (i reccommend "sterbai" as they are more suitable to wamer tempratures) and maybe a Bn plec for algea.

i hope that answered all your questions and if you have any more please ask its best to do it right than wrong!

DA

 

[Ian H]

wow 7 would look amazing

While this is going to be a discuss tank i also want it to be a heavily planted tank so not sure on the bn a coupleof ottos would do the job though

I'm assuming all the discus need to be added at the same time? or if not at least 3 or 4? Also should i buy a RO unit? my tap water is ph of around 7.5, baring in mind the tank will have co2 injection too which should bring it down some. What kind of stats should i be looking at for the ideal water? temp, hardness ect

I've been looking around for this tank and cheapest i've found is just under £500 for a tank and stand delivered, could i get away with a 48x24x18(18 in hight) or maybe even a 60x24x18??