Discus tankmates

[Serrateeth_2002]

What can be kept with discus?

[Skippy]

I have seen more than a few tanks which feature discus with Cardinal tetras.

They are both pretty peaceful fish.

I have heard about problems with any suckermouth type fish for algae control becuase they will sometimes sucker onto the discus for thier nutrient rich slime coats.

I am also researching this because eventually when my 100 gallon is in the shape I really want I want to do discus in it.

[NJ Devils Fan]

What exactly is a discus? Can some please send me a link.

[Richer]

our very own aquaria central has a decent (although somewhat outdated) species profile section.

http://www.aquariacentral.com/species/db.cgi?db=fresh&uid=default&ID=0344&view_records=1

in response to the original question, most anything that isn't too nippy or aggressive/playful will work with discus.

-Richer

[JohnMemorialHS]

To be honest, in my humbled opinion, in order to keep a discus healthy, you really can't have any other tankmates. While discus is said should be housed in temperature of at least 82 degrees, that is a tad bit low. 86~90 would be the ideal range for discus, quite frankly, not to ideal for other FW fish.

[Mad Highlander]

I research as much as I can about discus 'cause eventually I would like a discus community setup. As for tank mates this is what I have foundout....

Low risk compatible (fish where there should be no problem):
Black Phantom Tetras
Red Phantom Tetras
Cardinal Tetras
Hatchet Fish
Rummy Nose Tetras
Black Neon Tetras
Dwarf Apistos
Blue Rams
Altum Angels
Cory cats
Bristle nose catfish (plec for algea)

Medium risk (fish that should be o.k., but problems may occur):
Angelfish
Festivum
clown plec
Diamond Tetras
Serpae Tetras

If anybody believes that these suggestions are way off or have experience with a Discus/community setup I'd love more info.

[morleyz]

The very nice LFS by me has a display tank with huge discus with Angels and Stingrays...it's pretty cool as the stringrays are pretty active, but don't seem to bother the relatively docile angels and discus.

[Harry Tolen]

I keep cardinals and hatchetfish with my discus. They act as dither fish, keeping the discus from being too skittish, and do not seem to have too much trouble with the 82-84F temp of the tank.

Other cichlids as tankmates would be problematic, however. Discus are leisurely eaters, and like to slowly pick up their meals. No other cichlid would be likely to allow them the time to do this.

[a_free_bird73]

Like Richer said any none aggressive or annoying fish. I even have two 7" pink Gouramies with much smaller young discus.

Picking up on another post, feeding Discus in a community tank is definatly the hardest thing because of their slow eating habits. Mine are kept in a 150G tank with another 60 fish of varying species. I always occupy the fish with food on one side of the tank while feeding Discus on the opposite side (tank 6' long). Dry food is impossible to use for me because Discus won't touch it until it sinks and swells up and by the time that happens nothing will be left of it specially because of the Angels and the gouramies. I feed them mainly minced beefheart mixed with dryfood. With live food they will tend to fight for their space and get their share...

[Tyler718]

I have 6 Discus in a 150. I keep a few different varieties in there. They are 6 Neons, 2 Blue Rams, 2 Apisto Rams, 3 Ottos (for algae), 1 Royal Farlowella, 2 Clown Cloaches, and 3 Red Eye Tetras. I don't have any problems out of any of them.

[Serrateeth_2002]

Then i guess i can forget about buying one of these fishes,so picky yet so slow.

[sChArF]

Morleyz: Discus, Angels and stingrays. is it planted as well?
i would really like to see a picture of this type of setup. what kind of stingray? size of tank? any more info would be great.

[125gJoe]

Originally posted by Serrateeth_2002
Then i guess i can forget about buying one of these fishes,so picky yet so slow.

It's much better for the Discus to get them as a school, or at least 6 to start with - so they school. They are comfortable in a schooling situation when younger. I was told by a breeder that 8 or more is the way to go, but you must have a good sized tank too. 10 gallons per fish is about maximum.
Just one Discus is not really a good idea (from what I hear..). They need, and enjoy the company of other Discus.. Special attention to very clean water is required, and temps of around 86 to 90 degrees F is needed.

[morleyz]

Originally posted by sChArF
Morleyz: Discus, Angels and stingrays. is it planted as well?
i would really like to see a picture of this type of setup. what kind of stingray? size of tank? any more info would be great.


it was lightly planted. All of their display tanks are excellent looking, their african tank amazes me every time. Anyway, it looks like it's probably 125G if I had to guess. They had about 8-8" discus, 4-5 large angels, and 2 motoro (sp?) rays...at least they looked like the ones they had for sale, and I'm not a ray expert. I don't know if they'd be too happy if I took a picture...but I can always ask.

[blackwolfXKAV]

It's much better for the Discus to get them as a school, or at least 6 to start with - so they school. They are comfortable in a schooling situation when younger. I was told by a breeder that 8 or more is the way to go, but you must have a good sized tank too. 10 gallons per fish is about maximum.
Just one Discus is not really a good idea (from what I hear..). They need, and enjoy the company of other Discus.. Special attention to very clean water is required, and temps of around 86 to 90 degrees F is needed.

Only ten gallons of water per discus?

[Mgamer20o0]

I research as much as I can about discus 'cause eventually I would like a discus community setup. As for tank mates this is what I have foundout....

Low risk compatible (fish where there should be no problem):
Black Phantom Tetras
Red Phantom Tetras
Cardinal Tetras
Hatchet Fish
Rummy Nose Tetras
Black Neon Tetras
Dwarf Apistos
Blue Rams
Altum Angels
Cory cats
Bristle nose catfish (plec for algea)

Medium risk (fish that should be o.k., but problems may occur):
Angelfish
Festivum
clown plec
Diamond Tetras
Serpae Tetras

If anybody believes that these suggestions are way off or have experience with a Discus/community setup I'd love more info.

very nice list.

i am a big fan of discus angels and neons.

[Marinemom]

The discus do fine with other fish and actually they seem to perfer it since it makes them more confortable and they will come out more. I have a school of glo-lite tetras and a shool of rosy tetras both of which look spectacular with my discus. I also have a clown pleco and an albino bristlenose pleco. Both of these species are fine with a discus set up since they can handle the higher temps. and will leave the discus alone.

Marinemom

[jm1212]

somebody went thread digging lol