Starting from scratch

[Aquascaper]

One question. If tiger barbs are kept in a group of nine will they still molest the discus?

Short answer......yes

Discus are slow, peaceful fish and Tiger barbs are fast little fin nippers. Even if the Tiger barbs don't physically molest the Discus they will have a psychological impact by stressing the Discus with all their movement. Discus use small schooling fish, such as tetras, as look-outs in their natural habitat. When the small fish get spooked the Discus get spooked, and vice versa, when the small fish are settled the Discus are settled. Tiger barbs are on the move zipping around the tank 90% of the time and the Discus will see this as a warning sign and will therefore always be on edge.

HTH

 

[gaya]

David,

I'm sure you won't have a problem finding a good home for your Discus. Last night I contacted a woman I found on craigs who is going to take one of my plecos. I could just cry letting one of them go but they're getting to big and the bigger one is chasing the smaller one around. Why can't they all just get along!

 

[clutterydrawer]

David, you seem very fond of discus - why don't you make it a dedicated discus tank, with a shoal of discus and some small peaceful fish like tetras?

 

[David]

David, you seem very fond of discus - why don't you make it a dedicated discus tank, with a shoal of discus and some small peaceful fish like tetras?

Well I do love discus, but I have realized that I really don't have the time, energy or money to provide what they need. (I can't do the daily water change, making beef heart mix, and all that). So, even though it is very difficult, I may just have to get rid of this one. However, if my LFS refuses to take it back I will be forced to keep it (not that I mind ), I will just have to try a little bit harder to accomodate it. Also the tetras that dicus like for company are often harder to keep healthy than the discus themselves. (eg cardinals, rummy-noses).

I do know that I want a community tank, and I am still trying to decide between a community of faster moving, more aggressive fish like tiger barbs, RTBS and danios, or slow graceful fish like my discus and angels for example. Either way i will have some cories, since my clown loach (supposing I decide to keep him) will need some company.

 

[clutterydrawer]

why will 2" cories be good company for a 12" clown loach? qouldn't more clown loaches be better? sorry, i've probably missed something, i did read the whole thread but i can't remember it all.

 

[David]

My clown loach is 2". When it gets bigger I will get it a friend or too. First I have to get my tank settled and be positive that it won't decide to just drop dead one day, cause that would be a waste. Or I may just return him.

 

[David]

In light of the info I have recently been given, here are my final plans.
Since tiger barbs can't be kept with discus, here goes. Charlie will get his own tank, and the clown loach is going back to the LFS. The discus may or may not be going back. If he does, option 1:

6 zebra danios
10 tiger barbs
1 rainbow shark
3 platies (2 of which I already have)
5 peppered cories

If I decide to keep him, option 2:

1 discus (already have)
3 pearl gouramis
3 angelfish
3 platies (2 of which I already have)
3 peppered cories

Is this good? Which option would you go with? I should make a poll out of this. I think I'll do that.