Can I Add 5 Discus To My Tank?

[tattae]

Hi all,

My tank has been running for about 7-8 months now. And I think it's time for me to add the "kings" to the tank and would appreciate your suggestions.

Here is my tank.

The dimension is L:48" W:18" H:20". It is planted as shown in the picture (wihtout CO2).

The tank mates are:

• 20 cardinal tetras
• 14 praecox rainbow
• 11 german rams
• 2 otto
• 2 dwarf gauramis
• 2 kribs (1 healthy - 1 physically challenged)
• 1 (super fat) sterbai cory
• 1 female agazzisi
• 1 synodontis multipunctatus
• 1 chain loach
• 1 green spotted puffer (on duty - temporary)

Questions:
1. Can I add 5 discus?
2. Can I have different variation for each fish (i.e. 1 marlboro, 1 brilliant turk, 1 snakeskin, 1 .....)
3. Can I first add 2 discus, then add 1 more a week after?

Thanks so much in advance.

 

[paul-discus]

I think your tank looks beautiful and after 8 months then yes you are ready to add your discus. I would not add any discus that are under 4 inches each, and yes you can mix colours but if 2 were to pair up then they may not be 2 colours that given the choice you would pair up by choice, but then if you don't intend raising any fry then this would not matter.
Check that all your fish are going to be suitable tankmates for discus as the fish you mention would not be my choice. Good Luck...Paul

 

[ArauraDiscus]

Don't be suprised if your discus grow up and eat your cardinal tetras. They live side by side in nature and neon tetras are part of their diet in the wild, so cardinals are at risk. Watch those dawrf gouramis, they can be very agressive and might bother your Discus. The gourmis can turn on a dime from a friendly little guy to a crazy man. Make sure your filtration is excellent for a tank that size with that many fish, it's neccessary. I'd suggest two canister filters if possible. Also I would add all the discus at once if possible.

 

[sswm]

wondering about the GSP, you know it needs brackish water right?

 

[ArauraDiscus]

Yes in addition to that, Puffers do need brackish water and Discus need no salt whatsoever so they are not a compatable tank mate.

 

[tattae]

Thank you for the replies.

- Re: The gouramis. They can be removed to accomodate the kings.

- Re: Filtration. The tank is built-in with the filtration system. It is under-gravel filtered, and the whole length of the top part of the tank is where the filter is.

- Re: GSP. He's temporary on duty to get rid of the snails. So he'll be out pretty soon.


More questions:

1. How serious is it to introduce all 5 discus at once? I'm thinking of adding two less expensive discus first, and see how they'd do. Then add the more expensive ones, possibly one week after. Is this a no-no?

2. If I keep the discus fat and full, will they still eat my cardinals as side-order?

 

[sswm]

- Re: GSP. He's temporary on duty to get rid of the snails. So he'll be out pretty soon.

gotcha

very nice looking tank you got there, love the driftwood

 

[kev_kb]

GSPs require hard brackish water, if your water is hard then your not ready for discus and should look into softening it.

I also think most of your fish are not suitable for Discus. The rainbows are too fast and active, the kribs may become aggressive, the syno may also be too active and bother the discus at night. The ottos may suck on the side of the discus so you'll need to watch, I wouldn't risk it though.

Whilst your tank is mature I don't think under gravel filters are suitable for discus tanks. You need to keep the substrate really really clean and provide excellent conditions for them and I'm not sure if you could do this with the filter under the gravel, much better would be an external canister filter.

I'd keep the rams and tetras, then add 5 discus at around 4", after changing the filter and letting it mature. Don't buy cheap discus unless you have connections to good breeders and can recognise good quality fish. They will most likely be stunted.

 

[paul-discus]

The cardinals will be fine with discus, sometimes they will eat a small neon but remember discus only have small mouths. You could add a huey hung sponge to your aquarium this will help keep your oxygen levels up and help eliminate ammonia. Discus are soft water fish so like i said earlier you need to look at there tankmates, mine would be Lemon tetras, Cardinals, 1 pair of rams, chequerboards and Rummy Nose tetras.

 

[pandacichlid]

I'm not an expert really, but you have plenty of fish in there and that tank is fantastic and 8 months has given the tank time to mature so yeah I'd say you're ready for the discus. They'd look awesome in that tank!

 

[kev_kb]

I'm not an expert really, but you have plenty of fish in there and that tank is fantastic and 8 months has given the tank time to mature so yeah I'd say you're ready for the discus. They'd look awesome in that tank!

Sorry but there is much more to keeping discus than having a mature tank. Adding discus to that tank at the moment would over stock it, let alone the water requirements of the discus and incompatible tank mates. Please do not post advice based on assumptions.

 

[ArauraDiscus]

Actually the ottos wouldn't stick to a discus. They are too timid. CAE or plecos yes, but not ottos. Secondly, the tank seems fine to me for discus. If you want you can add the cheaper ones first, but it is always healthier for the social order and pecking order when all arrive at the same time. The rainbows are actually a fair tankmate IMO, while they like different water perameters, they are friendly fish. The discus can benefit from having fish that will come to the top when the owner comes by, showing the discus that people mean food.