discus

They are not easy to keep. They prefer warmer temperatures above 80 and soft water (pH between 6-7.2). You're dealing with fishes that usually cost $35+ so two water changes of 25-50% a week are highly recommended, some of the more dedicated discus keepers do daily water changes. An adult discus can grow nearly as large as a dinner plate and will require about 7-10 gallon per, so you're looking at 7-8 discus max in a 75g tank. They're very shy and easily frightened and require similar fishes that are not too active or aggressive (if you plan to have other fishes in the same tank). They also need lots of tall decor and plants to hide among.

As long as your pH is below 8.2 or so and your water is fit for human consumption...you can keep discus. Water hardness only matters if you are trying to get their eggs to hatch when they spawn. The main thing are the temperature being above 82 or so and the required water changes that are necessary. Ideally, water changes should be done daily...but this is not practical in most cases, so you can get by with weekly water changes a few times a week (2-3 or so) of atleast 35% each time. Good filtration is also important...especially biological capacity. I recommend wet/dry filters whenever I can to people because they provide a large bio capacity in a relatively small amount of space.

Keep the temp in the mid 80's, keep up with the water changes and have enough bio filtration and discus will do fine in your tank.

-Ryan
Orlando Discus

I agree with Dkarc..many of the discus you find in the LFS are born and raised on farms now..over the generations they have adapted to the aquarium environment.

this is not to say they are easy to raise..(its a matter of perspective). young discus will require frequent water changes..a minimum of 25% three times per week. most of the discus you find in the lfs are juvenile and are only 2-3" when you get them.
they should be fed 3-4 X per day..this results in waste bulding up pretty fast in the tanks..which is why you need to change water atleast 3 times per week.

once the fish get to adult you can go into a weekly routine if you choose to.

discus when kept properly will grow fast..mine almost doubled in size in less than 2 months..
I am attempting to raise 4 in a planted tank with angels..I change water 3 x week and vac the gravel heavily in the non planted areas and on the surface with lighter vacs in the planted areas.

as to how many in a 75..I would go with 5-6 remember discus to get pretty large I calculate approximately 15 gallons per fish(adult).

Keeping dicus can be a challage but if you are up for than sure, why not? In my experience with them, I find it is best to keep thier temperature in the tank at about 86 degrees. Anything less and they feel chilled and just hang in the water and lose thier coloring. Feeding is important. Most like bloodworms. Water quality is of the utmost impotance. They like very clean water so I would recommend water changes two or three times a week of at least 35-40 percent. I would put lots of driftwood in the aquarium to help with the PH and also lots of tall plants along the back and sides. Leave some open space in the middle so they have room for some free swimming. Also some surface plants with some roots hanging down in the water will help to give them some refuge from the lighting if they need it. Also discus are schooling fish so it is recommended that they stay in a group of at least 5-7. With a 75 gallon tank this is very easy to do. I say go for it. You will fall in love with them just like I did. They don't call them the king of freshwater for nothing. Good luck with them.

Marinemom

I have a serious problem with one of my discuss. He is as old as the other five yet he is still only three inches long while the others are five inches. He hides constantly but not being attacked by anyone else. He is dark and will not eat. I am concerned about putting him in the isolation tank. I don't know if he could handle the stress of the transfer. I am at a loss of what is happening with him. I really really need your opinion. Please help.

anubis63 said:

I have a serious problem with one of my discuss. He is as old as the other five yet he is still only three inches long while the others are five inches. He hides constantly but not being attacked by anyone else. He is dark and will not eat. I am concerned about putting him in the isolation tank. I don't know if he could handle the stress of the transfer. I am at a loss of what is happening with him. I really really need your opinion. Please help.

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