Discus
- Thread starter Trebor66
- Start date
My first advice is to use punctuations. Don’t tax the reader.
Discus are just larger, sensitive fish. They need space, warm water and a rigid scheduled system of water changes. They don't do well if we let things slide.
You'd probably get more responses with direct questions, as it's a large subject. So much depends on how you set up, where you get the fish, what previous experience you have, etc.
You'd probably get more responses with direct questions, as it's a large subject. So much depends on how you set up, where you get the fish, what previous experience you have, etc.
sounds like the OP, and myself are similar...I always wanted to try Discus as well, and still haven't devoted a tank for them...
as someone who has never owned a Discus, I'm starting to wonder if being "the gold standard" has most people afraid... they are expensive, but if you can successfully run reef tanks, you have what it takes to do things right, and have the money to buy fish... I'm guessing they are easier to keep than one would expect, with normal ( good ) practices... I was surprised at a pet shop picture that @gwand ... posted the other day, with a powder blue gourami, and Discus in the same tank... I never would have put those two in the same tank, even temporary, in a fish store selling fish??? I have a 250 gallon, that I'll be setting up, when I find time, and that was always going to be for Discus, however there are just so many interesting fish out there, the Discus my not make it in that tank as well...
as someone who has never owned a Discus, I'm starting to wonder if being "the gold standard" has most people afraid... they are expensive, but if you can successfully run reef tanks, you have what it takes to do things right, and have the money to buy fish... I'm guessing they are easier to keep than one would expect, with normal ( good ) practices... I was surprised at a pet shop picture that @gwand ... posted the other day, with a powder blue gourami, and Discus in the same tank... I never would have put those two in the same tank, even temporary, in a fish store selling fish??? I have a 250 gallon, that I'll be setting up, when I find time, and that was always going to be for Discus, however there are just so many interesting fish out there, the Discus my not make it in that tank as well...
They like warm water and there are few acceptable tank-mates; they are sensitive - DO NOT OVER STOCK - i recommend one discus per 30 gallon of water so a 180 would have 6 discus. DO NOT FEED THEM MEAT - beef heart and other meat products are not good food for them and it pollutes the water.
They do like live worms
which i suppose it meat of some sort....
They do like live worms
which i suppose it meat of some sort....
If I understand your post, you've had freshwater fish before your 40 year stint with marines? If so, a lot has changed since then regarding Discus care and I suggest doing some homework on the subject. I agree with the advice that my colleagues have offered so far. Heat, space and WATER CHANGES.
Clever, he has only just joined the site for fish advice, and you give him this.
This will come down to water parameters and tank size as the first things to clear up/clarify? Are you planning to use tap water or RO/Tap combination? Do you know your tap water parameters?
And also, just discus, or other fish as well? I am more of a fan of discus only tanks and focusing purely on the needs of the Discus.
And also, just discus, or other fish as well? I am more of a fan of discus only tanks and focusing purely on the needs of the Discus.
I know nothing about Discus but I would keep them in a species only aquarium if I had them .
Fish Fan1
New Member
Lots of great advice here already. I would mention that you'll likely need an RODI filter to make purified freshwater as these fish like very soft, acidic water.
Very cool fish, and they can make a stunning display for sure
Good luck!
Very cool fish, and they can make a stunning display for sure
Good luck!
Don't feed them meat, their diet should be at least 50% plant matter. Have lots of live plants in the tank and let algae grow on the back and sides.
Minimum size tank is 4x2x2ft for an adult pr and a bigger tank is required if you want more than 1 adult pr.
m.moam.info
Minimum size tank is 4x2x2ft for an adult pr and a bigger tank is required if you want more than 1 adult pr.
the discus fish Symphysodon - SciELO - M.MOAM.INFO
Dec 22, 2008 - of the lake hosting more than a thousand discus. Only 16 of the 41 ..... ing free-swimming B. cichlae wit...
m.moam.info
Why should it be closed? It was only started a couple of days ago and it doesn't matter where the person is from.
What the.....
Hopefully he comes back, be good to see what he ends up doing.
plebian
Fish Crazy
Discus are a lot easier to keep than most folks make them out to be. First off, they don't require soft water. I've grown out numerous juvenile discus in water with a TDS of 300 ppm, give or take, without any issues.
This is true of pretty much any "soft water fish". I've also kept wild caught cardinal tetras, wild caught blue tetras, and several species of dwarf catfish, including corydoras in the same water (same tank). The same goes for pH. My pH is 7.5 and I know people who have kept discus in water with a pH as high as 8.5. Don't chase pH and don't waste your money (or water) on RODI equipment unless your water is very hard or you intend to breed them.
Discus do like warmer water. They will tolerate temporary temperatures as low as 26C but they won't do well long term below 28C. This is what restricts the type of fish you can keep with them. I agree with anewbie regarding space requirements and feeding practices. It's best to stay away from live or frozen worms as they are easily addicted and will refuse healthier fare. Good filtration and weekly water changes are also necessary.
This is true of pretty much any "soft water fish". I've also kept wild caught cardinal tetras, wild caught blue tetras, and several species of dwarf catfish, including corydoras in the same water (same tank). The same goes for pH. My pH is 7.5 and I know people who have kept discus in water with a pH as high as 8.5. Don't chase pH and don't waste your money (or water) on RODI equipment unless your water is very hard or you intend to breed them.
Discus do like warmer water. They will tolerate temporary temperatures as low as 26C but they won't do well long term below 28C. This is what restricts the type of fish you can keep with them. I agree with anewbie regarding space requirements and feeding practices. It's best to stay away from live or frozen worms as they are easily addicted and will refuse healthier fare. Good filtration and weekly water changes are also necessary.
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