Stocking--discus Vs Angels

[Gourami Lover88]

Beef heart can be messy when discus are young and just getting settled in a tank. As discus get older and bigger they become much more efficent at eating beef heart and I only do a 5% WC every two days and I have never had a problem with nitrAte.

The only reason to pay $35 for one young discus is if they where wild or where of a just developed colour strain. Most young discus now will only cost $10-$20 from breeders or on aquabid.com

metfan581- your member info says that you are from Long Island the only place that I know with that name is New York, so if you live in the New York City area you can easily find a discus breeder on google or in a fish keeping magazine, they would be able to answer all your questions.

 

[metfan581]

wow
every one is different

 

[annka5]

Discus don't usually develop colour until they are about 12 months old, unless they have been hormone treated (which can make them sterile and can shorten their lifespan). Hence you may well see discus in LFS which are not very colourful - they're just young.
If you go to a local breeder you should get better quality at better prices - obviously this depends on the breeder and the LFS though!
Size, colour strain, and overall quality can have a huge impact on the price so I reckon it's difficult to say that £z or £x is good or not.

 

[voycey]

I have had 2 angels and 8 Medium Discus in a 200L Planted tank - they get on fine and have done for years - discus might need good water conditions and otherwise be picky fish, but they can stand up for themselves

If you are going to mix angels and discus pls ensure you de-worm they angels before hand as they are capable of passing over parasites that are harmful to discus

likewise with the discus!

 

[Alex_]

If i had a 55g laying around i would fill it

eith 6-8 2.5'' Discus with some bottom feeaders

 

[Durbkat]

You can't put that many discus in a 55g you could put around 4 maybe but it would be better to put angels and black widow tetras in it.

 

[Alex_]

have you ever owned Discus?

Because i have about 15 right now.

you can fit 5-6 adult Discus comfertly in a 55

i have owned both Discus and angelsand

i prefer Discus. Discus also cost about $50 more then angels

so if you have the money that's what i would go for.

-Alex

 

[metfan581]

thanks
what do you suggest i should cycle the tank wiht?

 

[pica_nuttalli]

have you ever owned Discus?

Because i have about 15 right now.

you can fit 5-6 adult Discus comfertly in a 55

i have owned both Discus and angelsand

i prefer Discus. Discus also cost about $50 more then angels

so if you have the money that's what i would go for.

-Alex

i've never owned discus, but this is what 8 ADULT discus would look like in my 60 gallon.

looks pretty cramped to me...

 

[annka5]

...eh?

 

[Jer-]

I would also go for the Discus.

Personally, I do not like the characteristics and personality of Angels, as they are very greedy and are always begging for food.
I used to have them back at home in australia, and all they did, ALL DAY, was swim against the front glass, up and down, or following my hand when i move it in front of the glass. Too greedy. I wouldve liked to see some natural behaviour of some sort...

Discus on the other hand, are much less greedy. They are more shy than angels, yet they have much more beautiful colors. Yes they are harder to keep, but with frequent water changes, while making sure that the water parameters are not altered too much during these water changes (most important thing, constant water contidions), and a good varied diet, they are really not that hard to keep. They have much more personality than the angels and are much more elegant.
They are worth the price.

HTH.

oh and Pica-nuttalli, great illustration there..haha

 

[Gourami Lover88]

thanks
what do you suggest i should cycle the tank wiht?

If you have other tanks running, just take out some of their filter media and put it in your new filter and feed them pure ammonia till your ready to add the fish. If you dont have any other tanks running, just cycle it normaly.

 

[metfan581]

thanks
what do you suggest i should cycle the tank wiht?

If you have other tanks running, just take out some of their filter media and put it in your new filter and feed them pure ammonia till your ready to add the fish. If you dont have any other tanks running, just cycle it normaly.

normally......
with what kind of fish....cause they will have to be fine with discus

 

[annka5]

Cylce fishlessly. Kinder to the fish, more bacteria will develop for when you do add the discus, quicker to do. Have a look a t pinned topic in beginners section on fishless cycling.

 

[kev_kb]

Didn't notice this was a new tank, if it's your first tank then I'd stay away from Discus until you have more experience, it wouldn't be impossible to keep them as your first fish but you wouldn't have much room for error. If you've kept other kinds of fish before for a while then ignore this.