Keeping Discus

[colematthewmala]

Hi, I am becoming quite interested in keeping discus yet i know absolutely nothing about them. So what i want to know is what should is the minimum tank size for discus and how many could i keep in it. Any information is helpful.

[colematthewmala]

bump

[duffer]

The general rule is 1 adult discus per 10 gallons of water. And since they are shoaling fish, you should have at least 5 discus in your aquarium. The more discus you have, the better off they will be. So the minimum tank requirement would be a 50 gallon tank.

[colematthewmala]

hmmmm. okay so do discus need to have very specific water parameters?

[duffer]

hmmmm. okay so do discus need to have very specific water parameters?

Here's some articles you might want to read on discus.
http://www.discusnews.com/article/

Keep them in acidic water(5.8 -6.5) with a temperature of 82-84 degrees.

[jester71]

IMHO 10 Gallons per Discus are not enough...
I think that could be something more like 20 gallons per adult discus...

[stephcps]

I am the same. Thinking about discus but still gathering info. I had almost decided to forget it. Too much conflicting info out there. Then I found the simply discus forum. Extremely helpful!! All people who are really into discus. Great place with alot of good info. I highly suggest it. I love this forum (aquariacentral) and spend a lot of time on here reading. I have learned a tremendous amount from all of the people on here. But, the info you will get on keeping discus will be all over the place!! Try Simplydiscus.com and click on message board at the top. There will be all kind of great info there!!

Steph

[snoopy65]

Discus are not hard, they are time consuming especially if you get juvies. Most agree that the easiest way to keep discus is in a bare bottom tank. Planted can be done, but is alot more work. Discus are very sensitive to water params and pristine water is a must. The ph doesn't matter with domestic discus as long as it is always the same. With any smaller discus, several feedings a day (I give mine 6) and daily water changes (I do 30-50%) are necessary. Once they reach about 4 1/2 - 5" feedings can be cut back to 2-3 a day and water changes to twice a week. Adult discus can be kept with weekly water changes and daily feedings. All of this is contingent on how heavily you stock. When getting discus it is advised to get at least 5 with more being better. Anything less and they will end up killing each other unless they are a proven breeding pair. Many keep discus in a 55 gal tank, but personally I think a 75 is better because of the footprint. Imagine salad plate size fish in the tank and possibly even dinner plate size swimming....they need room to turn. They need warmer temps than most tropical fish so you have to be careful of what you put with them.

Hope this helps

Oh yeah, And if you get lazy or you mess up, the fish pay.....they are not very forgiving.

[Star_Rider]

nice post snoopy

pretty right on. I will add young discus should be kept at 86-88 f water. adding an airstone is beneficial.

adults can be kept in water a bit cooler (82-84f)

[roscoe70]

Snoopy and Star Rider are all over it, good info. Good luck with the discus they can be very rewarding and will greet you at feeding time, juvies think it is always feeding time. Good luck.

[Discus-Hans]

Keeping Discus is a piece of cake. If you like/can/will go the extra mile.

Snoopy told most in short.

Ph doesn't need to be that low, we keep them all between Ph6.5 and 7.
Most important is to keep it STABLE !!!!!

How big??? I prefer a 75 gallon.

How many ====> depends on your filter system + how many water changes are you willing to do????

We got BIG filter systems and get every day 3,500 gallon fresh water in for water changes.



http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll62/Hans-Discus/101_1710.jpg

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll62/Hans-Discus/101_2404.jpg

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll62/Hans-Discus/101_1809.jpg

Threat them well and they will reward you !!!!!

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll62/Hans-Discus/101_2030.jpg

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll62/Hans-Discus/101_2062.jpg

[sushiray]

I love discus but for me it's hard work to keep up with maintenance/water changes/vac-ing/cleaning filters. I have discus hans stendkers - 1 of each variety in a 72g BF. I've had my share of difficulties with some water quality issues ever since my Fluval204 backed up a bunch of crud after cleaning/siphon start up & probably the intro of a baby royal pleco & maybe the feeding of live blackworms - could be sources of my issues.

but my stepdad helped me with some DIY so the w/c is a cinch. just that with the # of discus I have, the load is pretty heavy. so I've been doing daily w/c & in between do some spot vac-ing.

so far, I can tell you for me it is very time-consuming - what with just viewing pleasure (or worrying viewing when I see stress), w/c-vac-ing, cleaning filters. I am unemployed so I have the time to spare between being Mr. Mom, looking for jobs, up-keep of the house & chores, walking the dog, escorting kids to their activities, cooking, laundry, shopping, etc. If I was working, I would not be able to keep up the discus life-style.

so I say go for it but be prepared to commit the time. many have no probs raising discus, but if you are like me I have to work at it.

good luck!