Hi all,

I've been pondering about discus for awhile, and have a few questions that I hope someone can answer.

to start; is tetra like neon, the only fish that the discus will be happy to live with? would they live with catfish( corys, cuckoo syno's)? will they live with angel's or is this a bad idea?do they need their own special tank?

what's the tank size for mayb two discus and a shoal of something else. would 180 litre/ 3ft tank be o.k?

If I was to set up a brand ******** new tank would it be o.k to add them after a month or would the tank need to be on the go longer?(usually use the flake food in fishless tank method, not fond of the idea of these miricle liquid instant bacteria filter things)

Do they need any other equiptment other than the heater, filter, lights and tank with water +substrate+plants?

why have they got a name of being hard to keep?

If I was to ponder some more and decided I definately wanted some where is best to buy? would go for big ones, fully grown or almost fully grown.

thanks in advance,

Orla.

Hi Orlagh,

i think your biggest problem would be the water ph!!!!!!
pm sent

Hi Orla,

No there are a range of fish that you can keep with Discus. Trick is that you need peaceful fish that like the same conditions in terms of PH and Temp (they like it hot compared to a lot of other fish) that Discus need. Some corys, Rams, apistos etc. Think biotope and the amazon...

I also keep clown loach with them very successfully, but others have problems due to the feeding frenzy that the loach can get into.

I've not kept Angels with them and there are varying recommendations on if you should/shouldn't.

On the PH side of things they come from softwater, however check your LFS in terms of the PH that they have them at. Tank bred Discus can be kept at a higher PH - trick really is stability on all parameters.

180 litre tank would be fine for 2 Discus and shoal of tetras, but you would be better of getting 3 as they are cichlids and do better in odd numbers to allow for aggression to be spread around.

You can add them as soon as the tank is fully cycled. If you are going with the method you describe I'd start with the tetras to get more of a bioload going before putting the discus in.

All equipment you mentioned is fine. I'd tend towards overfiltering. If it's a Juwel, add an external. You may want a second heater in case the 1st goes on the blink. Also ensure the heater can keep the water at the temp required. Again over spec here.

They are not that difficult to keep as long as you get the environment rigth and stable. Stability is the key. They also require larger or more frequent water changes. Feeding should be a mix of foods. Some people advocate beef heart - I've never used it but do provide a mix of different pellet, flake and frozen foods.

I've bought all my Discus over the years in Acquatic village. I'd start off with 3 fish small -> medium in size.

Monty

had already read the link, and lots of other stuff on the net, but lots of it seems to contradict each other...so was left a little confused and decided to ask people who have these fish in Ireland.

so basically, tank needs to be designed around the discus and their needs.have one book that deals with plants and fish by area of origin but would prob have to do little more research, before I'd be happy. think I'll be waiting another while before rushing out to get them

pH won't be a prob as have bought a RO unit and would prob be adding CO2.

main issue with them was that I didn't want the stress of looking after something that would be gettting mystery illness, but if its just a case that they need a suitable stable enviorment, I could cope with that.

thanks for clearing things up guys!

My best advise is this. 1. Do frequent water changes. 2. Only keep slow moving fish with them

dont know if you tried these links but they may be of use

www.discuspro.com/basics.htm

members.aol.com/bgdiscus/

www.aquariumlife.net/articles/new-world-cichlid/59.asp

www.simplydiscus.com/library/index.shtml

oh yes and on what fish to keep with them pfk did an article on that subject.. heres the link

www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/pages...e.php?article_id=259

hope these help
Seamus

dont know if you tried these links but they may be of use

www.discuspro.com/basics.htm

members.aol.com/bgdiscus/

www.aquariumlife.net/articles/new-world-cichlid/59.asp

www.simplydiscus.com/library/index.shtml

hope these help
Seamus

Thanks Seamus,
saved a few to my favourites. like the last one best, has a good lay out.

Orla.

glad to be of assistance, thats what we're here for

Seamus

I would think (and I could be wrong) that you could probably keep a male angelfish with your discus if he is smaller than they are because he will accept a pecking order, however but if you keep a female Angel she will spawn and get super violent twoards anything within a few feet and either kill or get killed protecting her eggs.