Stocking Question

[CKlown]

I have a 38 gal tank (36x12x20). I haven't decided how I'm stocking it, but it is very likely going to be a community tank, and certainly not overstocked.

I have an old 10 gal tank with the following that will be transfered into the 38 gallon along with some new fish:

1 Angelfish
1 Rainbow Shark
3 Platties (2F/1M; haven't seen any fry -- could be because they are eaten by the Angel as they're born? One female has always been pretty chubby and have for 3+ months)
3 Neon Tetras
2 Otto's
2 Dwarf Gouramis

...yes, that tank was overstocked, hence my upgrade.

I am very intruiged by Discus. I've done some reading and I see most people recommend a 4 foot tank for Discus. I'm wondering two things (please answer both separately!)

1) Do you have to stock Discus in pairs/groups, or is it okay for them to be kept alone?
2) Are my tankmates/tank size not suitable for a Discus (or two)?

My Rainbow shark is well tempered if you're wondering; he/she's two years old, and given that the new 38 gal won't be highly stocked, I don't think aggression will be a problem from him...

So please let me know what you think. Lastly, if everyone seems to unanimously think Discus are a bad idea, please feel free to toss about some other ideas!! I think I may also get some schooling fish such as (~8) Rummy Nose Tetras or something

 

[DiscusKeeper403]

I have a 38 gal tank (36x12x20). I haven't decided how I'm stocking it, but it is very likely going to be a community tank, and certainly not overstocked.

I have an old 10 gal tank with the following that will be transfered into the 38 gallon along with some new fish:

1 Angelfish
1 Rainbow Shark
3 Platties (2F/1M; haven't seen any fry -- could be because they are eaten by the Angel as they're born? One female has always been pretty chubby and have for 3+ months)
3 Neon Tetras
2 Otto's
2 Dwarf Gouramis

...yes, that tank was overstocked, hence my upgrade.

I am very intruiged by Discus. I've done some reading and I see most people recommend a 4 foot tank for Discus. I'm wondering two things (please answer both separately!)

1) Do you have to stock Discus in pairs/groups, or is it okay for them to be kept alone?
2) Are my tankmates/tank size not suitable for a Discus (or two)?

My Rainbow shark is well tempered if you're wondering; he/she's two years old, and given that the new 38 gal won't be highly stocked, I don't think aggression will be a problem from him...

So please let me know what you think. Lastly, if everyone seems to unanimously think Discus are a bad idea, please feel free to toss about some other ideas!! I think I may also get some schooling fish such as (~8) Rummy Nose Tetras or something

Normally you want a group of 5 Discus (which, yes are schooling fish) for a 50 or 55g tank, giving them 10 gallons each. This allows them to spread aggression through a group and also have enough swimming space so they won't be cramped. You may be able to get away with 4 in the 38, but it's risky. I wouldn't normally recommend it, but just throwing it out their for your sake.

Discus are very hard to keep. Anything bothering them (be it water quality, tank mates ect.) will have a greatly negative effect on the fish. Juvenile Discus need to have daily water changes in a bare bottom (no gravel) tank. They need to be fed at least 3 times a day, if not more. Adults (5+ inch) need water changes at least once a week (twice a week or more being better) and need to be fed twice a day.

You will need to be careful with the Angel. Angels can pick on the Discus when they get big, and will pick on Discus, especially in a small tank.

Do not add the Discus to the tank for a while after you add the other fish. Make sure you are putting the mature filter media from your old tank into the new tank (so the tank won't go through a cycle.)

Rummynose may get eaten depending on the size of the Tetra, and the size of the Discus. I tried Rummynose with mine and the Discus ate them all. Others have been able to get away with similar sized Tetras.

What are the dimensions of the tank? Discus need a tank at least 18 inches deep, and a width of 12+ inches is best.


If you choose not to do Discus, because of the tank size being a little inadequate, then some Dwarf Cichlid, like Microgeophagus would work well.

 

[CKlown]

I have a 38 gal tank (36x12x20). I haven't decided how I'm stocking it, but it is very likely going to be a community tank, and certainly not overstocked.

I have an old 10 gal tank with the following that will be transfered into the 38 gallon along with some new fish:

1 Angelfish
1 Rainbow Shark
3 Platties (2F/1M; haven't seen any fry -- could be because they are eaten by the Angel as they're born? One female has always been pretty chubby and have for 3+ months)
3 Neon Tetras
2 Otto's
2 Dwarf Gouramis

...yes, that tank was overstocked, hence my upgrade.

I am very intruiged by Discus. I've done some reading and I see most people recommend a 4 foot tank for Discus. I'm wondering two things (please answer both separately!)

1) Do you have to stock Discus in pairs/groups, or is it okay for them to be kept alone?
2) Are my tankmates/tank size not suitable for a Discus (or two)?

My Rainbow shark is well tempered if you're wondering; he/she's two years old, and given that the new 38 gal won't be highly stocked, I don't think aggression will be a problem from him...

So please let me know what you think. Lastly, if everyone seems to unanimously think Discus are a bad idea, please feel free to toss about some other ideas!! I think I may also get some schooling fish such as (~8) Rummy Nose Tetras or something

Normally you want a group of 5 Discus (which, yes are schooling fish) for a 50 or 55g tank, giving them 10 gallons each. This allows them to spread aggression through a group and also have enough swimming space so they won't be cramped. You may be able to get away with 4 in the 38, but it's risky. I wouldn't normally recommend it, but just throwing it out their for your sake.

Discus are very hard to keep. Anything bothering them (be it water quality, tank mates ect.) will have a greatly negative effect on the fish. Juvenile Discus need to have daily water changes in a bare bottom (no gravel) tank. They need to be fed at least 3 times a day, if not more. Adults (5+ inch) need water changes at least once a week (twice a week or more being better) and need to be fed twice a day.

You will need to be careful with the Angel. Angels can pick on the Discus when they get big, and will pick on Discus, especially in a small tank.

Do not add the Discus to the tank for a while after you add the other fish. Make sure you are putting the mature filter media from your old tank into the new tank (so the tank won't go through a cycle.)

Rummynose may get eaten depending on the size of the Tetra, and the size of the Discus. I tried Rummynose with mine and the Discus ate them all. Others have been able to get away with similar sized Tetras.

What are the dimensions of the tank? Discus need a tank at least 18 inches deep, and a width of 12+ inches is best.


If you choose not to do Discus, because of the tank size being a little inadequate, then some Dwarf Cichlid, like Microgeophagus would work well.

Thanks a lot for your response!

The tank is 36x12x20, so I'm guessing according to you that I'd be pushing it. I think I'll have to maybe rethink the whole Discus idea; while I do enjoy regular tank maintenance, I don't really want to feel like my fish are completely dependent on multiple water changes a week (aside from a cycling period). Furthermore, I'm not really equipped to monitor water conditions to the extent that seems to be necessary for a discus tank. And lastly, as I still consider myself a novice fishkeeper, I'd like to stick to somewhat of a community tank for now, just so I can experience more types of fish, particularly hardier ones that I can't kill It seems like if I took the discus route it would be a large commitment to that species as I'd need several individuals. I was mainly interested in discus becuase I thought they could be a sort of vibrant, solitary, centerpiece fish that I now understand they are not.

For now I guess I'll need to think more about it and consider some other options... I'll post back when I have more ideas (any are welcome!)