Discus tankmates
- Thread starter Serrateeth_2002
- Start date
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.
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.
our very own aquaria central has a decent (although somewhat outdated) species profile section.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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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...
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...
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.