Minimum Discus Needed? Advice Please

[maca9]

Hi

I have 1 discus in my 300L tank. Along with tetras, loaches etc. It is doing really well and looks great.

I have just added 1 more smaller discus and he is being bullied by the orignal one who is a bit bigger. Now I understand from reading here that often 4+ is recommended to a) give confidence in numbers and B) spread any agression across a group.

IS THIS CORRECT?

Should i get a couple more to help this new guy out? Or will these two find the natural pecking order?

If so what size? The size of him 3" or the bully 5". Or won't it really matter provided I get a couplr more in the mix?

Any advice helpful.

Cheers

 

[mister-t]

five or six discus is the ideal amount,this means the bully will have more fish to bully and not just pick on the one individual,also you will find with five or six discus the bullying will lesson dramatically
mister-t

 

[kev_kb]

1 discus per 10g with a minimum of 4-5 is the general rule, the more the better though. Personally I wouldn't keep them with loaches as they are get big and can be very active night and distress the Discus.

I think its best to buy them around 4" in general and that would fit between your biggest and smallest. You will also get one at the top of the pecking order and one at the bottom, but with a group the bullying is spread.

Providing you have stocking space left in the tank add as many as you can afford using the rule above.