How difficult are discus to keep ACTUALLY?

[Snagrio]

This is more out of curiosity as I'm not starting up new tanks anytime soon, but how difficult are discus to keep in reality these days?

I've heard so many things like they're so sensitive you need to do daily water changes, very soft/low PH water, no substrate, warmer water than the average (80+ compared to the standard mid 70's), and several different opinions on tankmates (best left alone, only with a few specific species, peaceful community, ect.) among other things.

How many of these claims are true? Given how widespread discus are at this point I know for sure some of it is exaggerated if not outright hogwash, but figured I'd ask those who've experienced the species firsthand.

 

[discuspaul]

D-I-S-C-U-S - 6 CARDINAL RULES FOR NEWBIES TO FOLLOW


First I'd just like to mention once again that discus are hardier than many people think, and are not difficult to keep, so long as one is prepared to accept and adhere to a few key practices that will provide the best chances of success with discus.

This listing is recorded more or less in order of importance:

1) - D - Do your homework well before delving into discus. Read and research all you can beforehand. Googling will certainly help, as well as spending a good deal of time reading the posts and threads on the simplydiscus.com forum, particularly the stickies in the 'Discus Basics for Beginners' section, which will provide you with much of the material you need to digest.

2) - I - Investigate and learn of the best sources to get your discus stock. Find those breeders &/or importers that are long time, well-experienced, responsible, reputable, and known to supply high quality, healthy, and well-shaped discus. Buy your discus from one of these sources in order to insure that you get off on the best footing possible.


This is the single, most important factor in succeeding with discus.



The simplydiscus.com forum has a sponsors section which lists a good number of high quality discus suppliers in North America. Check it out.

3) - S - Set up and plan to follow a strict regular routine of fresh water changes, tank wipe-downs and cleansing, vacuuming of wastes, and regular filter and media cleaning, changes, replacements, and maintenance. Be fully prepared for the kind of commitment it takes to produce and maintain the highest water quality and conditions that you can.

4) - C - Carefully consider the type of tank set up you start with. Make sure the tank size is ample enough to start with 5 or 6 discus. Don't be tempted to begin with a tank of less than 55 or 60 gallons, and don't try to justify going smaller by just getting 1, 2, 3, or 4 discus for cost or other reasons.


Wait till you have sufficient resources to get a proper-sized tank, and the suitable size and number of fish to insure continuing good health and harmonious discus sociability.


Do not start with small, undersized, very juvenile fish which have not yet developed a more mature immune system, are more demanding to raise properly, and much more prone to health problems and other issues. Get fish of at least 3.0" in size, preferably larger.

5) - U - Undertake to start off with a bare bottom tank, unless you're getting fully adult fish and have previous good experience with fish-keeping generally, and maintaining a planted tank in particular. If you must have some decor, limit yourself to a very thin sand substrate layer, and perhaps a piece of driftwood with just a couple of small plants attached, or one or two potted plants.


Once you gain several months' of experience getting to know your discus' traits & behavior, and your discus get larger, then you may proceed to an aqua-scaped environment, to possibly include some other species of compatible discus tank-mates.



Feed a varied diet, several times a day, and learn which foods will achieve a nutritious diet, by researching.

6) - S - Simplify. Keep things as simple as you can to start. Don't complicate your start with discus, at least at first, by placing them in a heavily planted environment, using CO2 and a strict fertilization regime.

Make sure your tank is fully cycled before adding the fish, and don't be tempted to alter or change the pH of your water, or modify your water conditions and parameters by using chemicals of any kind. No need to use RO water or adopt any other procedures that would tend to complicate what should be a simple start to your discus launch.



If you plan on eventually having a community tank set-up, carefully research the species of other fish you'd like to keep with the discus, to insure they are able to withstand the higher discus temp of at least 82 F, and that they are fully compatible with discus.



And do a complete and proper quarantine before adding any such tank-mates to your discus tank.

Follow these 'rules', and there's little doubt you will succeed with discus !

 

[Sprinkle]

+1 for above.

Discus World Book 2nd Edition Tropical Aquarium Fish Breeding Advice. for sale online | eBay

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Would recommend this book, he invented the fish wormer which i have.
He wrote that book.
He sells on ebay. (I bought the wormer straight from him).
He has a discus store. My sister claims she been there and they all are healthy.

i know ur not in uk but that for everyone

 

[Wyomingite]

D-I-S-C-U-S - 6 CARDINAL RULES FOR NEWBIES TO FOLLOW


First I'd just like to mention once again that discus are hardier than many people think, and are not difficult to keep, so long as one is prepared to accept and adhere to a few key practices that will provide the best chances of success with discus.

This listing is recorded more or less in order of importance:

1) - D - Do your homework well before delving into discus. Read and research all you can beforehand. Googling will certainly help, as well as spending a good deal of time reading the posts and threads on the simplydiscus.com forum, particularly the stickies in the 'Discus Basics for Beginners' section, which will provide you with much of the material you need to digest.

2) - I - Investigate and learn of the best sources to get your discus stock. Find those breeders &/or importers that are long time, well-experienced, responsible, reputable, and known to supply high quality, healthy, and well-shaped discus. Buy your discus from one of these sources in order to insure that you get off on the best footing possible.


This is the single, most important factor in succeeding with discus.



The simplydiscus.com forum has a sponsors section which lists a good number of high quality discus suppliers in North America. Check it out.

3) - S - Set up and plan to follow a strict regular routine of fresh water changes, tank wipe-downs and cleansing, vacuuming of wastes, and regular filter and media cleaning, changes, replacements, and maintenance. Be fully prepared for the kind of commitment it takes to produce and maintain the highest water quality and conditions that you can.

4) - C - Carefully consider the type of tank set up you start with. Make sure the tank size is ample enough to start with 5 or 6 discus. Don't be tempted to begin with a tank of less than 55 or 60 gallons, and don't try to justify going smaller by just getting 1, 2, 3, or 4 discus for cost or other reasons.


Wait till you have sufficient resources to get a proper-sized tank, and the suitable size and number of fish to insure continuing good health and harmonious discus sociability.


Do not start with small, undersized, very juvenile fish which have not yet developed a more mature immune system, are more demanding to raise properly, and much more prone to health problems and other issues. Get fish of at least 3.0" in size, preferably larger.

5) - U - Undertake to start off with a bare bottom tank, unless you're getting fully adult fish and have previous good experience with fish-keeping generally, and maintaining a planted tank in particular. If you must have some decor, limit yourself to a very thin sand substrate layer, and perhaps a piece of driftwood with just a couple of small plants attached, or one or two potted plants.


Once you gain several months' of experience getting to know your discus' traits & behavior, and your discus get larger, then you may proceed to an aqua-scaped environment, to possibly include some other species of compatible discus tank-mates.



Feed a varied diet, several times a day, and learn which foods will achieve a nutritious diet, by researching.

6) - S - Simplify. Keep things as simple as you can to start. Don't complicate your start with discus, at least at first, by placing them in a heavily planted environment, using CO2 and a strict fertilization regime.

Make sure your tank is fully cycled before adding the fish, and don't be tempted to alter or change the pH of your water, or modify your water conditions and parameters by using chemicals of any kind. No need to use RO water or adopt any other procedures that would tend to complicate what should be a simple start to your discus launch.



If you plan on eventually having a community tank set-up, carefully research the species of other fish you'd like to keep with the discus, to insure they are able to withstand the higher discus temp of at least 82 F, and that they are fully compatible with discus.



And do a complete and proper quarantine before adding any such tank-mates to your discus tank.

Follow these 'rules', and there's little doubt you will succeed with discus !

I like that. Excellent way to summarize what you need to know to keep discus. I've never kept discus for three reasons, and in order these are why: A) I have extremely hard water, your proverbial liquid rock, B) I like wild type fish and this is true for discus as well, and captive bred wild-type fish seem to be rare, and C) I generally like my cichlids mean.

This is more out of curiosity as I'm not starting up new tanks anytime soon, but how difficult are discus to keep in reality these days?

I've heard so many things like they're so sensitive you need to do daily water changes, very soft/low PH water, no substrate, warmer water than the average (80+ compared to the standard mid 70's), and several different opinions on tankmates (best left alone, only with a few specific species, peaceful community, ect.) among other things.

How many of these claims are true? Given how widespread discus are at this point I know for sure some of it is exaggerated if not outright hogwash, but figured I'd ask those who've experienced the species firsthand.

I have a friend who started in the hobby about the same time as I. Instead of going the African cichlid route like I did, he went with angels until he was experienced enough to be comfortable with getting discus. We keep track and trade experiences, even if a lot of what we do isn't applicable to the other. Anyways, when he did get discus, he pretty much did it in the same manner as discuspaul said, with one exception. Mark added them to an established planted tank. By the time Mark added them, though, he did have over 20 years in the hobby, so he wasn't a new hobbyist who was drawn into the hobby by discus and just had to have them right now.

Not that you're a beginner, Snagrio. I just found the independent parallels between Mark's methodology and discuspaul's advice interesting.

WYite

 

[Lalo J.]

I have always thought that discus fish are easy fish to keep, like keeping an angel. I don't understand why they have been labeled with such high standards, without criticizing the people who are dedicated to having these fish, of course. If the fish are caught in the wild then the requirement to keep them is greater, but it should not be considered impossible for any aquarist, as long as he has the responsibility to offer first, a large enough system, an obligatory quarantine, water quality and varied feed, but this is not just for discus but for whatever fish you want to keep, follow that and you will be successful. I have an anecdote about a newbie with discus fish, I'll post it here tonight.

 

[Snagrio]

So, suffice to say they're more advanced to be sure, but nonetheless doable for someone who's had at a little more beyond basic experience in the hobby and has done extensive research on what to do.

To me, discus have always seemed like this impossible species that only the most expert level of aquarists could keep alive. Their title as the King of Freshwater Aquariums added to that "unattainable aura" I've felt towards them. But as I've come to see as of late, reality sees them as more manageable than I've come to believe.

All the same though, for the time being I consider discus more of a bucket list choice than anything else. Getting the recommended half dozen alone would probably equate to half of all the money I've spent on my current project.

 

[jake72]

Are discus more demanding than GBR ?

 

[Lalo J.]

Well here is the anecdote I have from a friend I had when I was a teenager. I had a 50 gallon tank with some tetras, and this guy would come to my house quite a lot since we were neighbors, when he suddenly became interested in the hobby and asked me to help him install his first tank, so he had gone to the LFS and had bought a 20 gallon tank, gravel, HOB filter, methylene blue, plastic plants and the gem of irresponsible salesmen, a fish!
So my friend had bought a cobalt blue discus fish and was just going to set up his tank, when I saw it in the bag I told him that the fish was delicate, and that it was probably going to die, so I helped him set up his tank and acclimatized to the discus fish, to my surprise the fish was feeding on flakes the next day, and a water change was not made for several days, as the weeks went by the fish increased its color and was a healthy and fat discus, they were rarely done water changes, and his tankmates was a school of neon tetras signs that were added weeks later. My friend uninstalled his tank a year later and returned the fish to the LFS when he got bored of fish, remember we were teenagers, then I realized that discus fish are actually quite resistant fish and not impossible to care for or holy grails, I believe in water quality and varied diet to keep fish healthy.

 

[fishorama]

Yes, jake, they are more demanding than rams & in general need more dedicated care than most fish. Not really harder if you don't mind keeping the water very clean & feeding high quality foods frequently (but that's fun! if expensive)...but the tank wiping is an added maintenance chore. Large fish that eat often also poo often. The high temp makes both poo & slime coat cleaning even more important. Apparently rams "can" be appropriate adult discus tankmates, I wouldn't know from experience...so can cardinal & rummynose tetras...80-84F adult temps are too high for many fish.

I have very limited experience with discus. Like many hobbyists with a couple years under our belts we thought we were ready & got 6 young fish...They slowly died off. Then a few years later we said let's try just 1 in a community tank, not good. Then 10 years ago after much thought & research I got 8 "2 inch" discus from a local breeder. I said no vacations for both of us together for a year. I changed water daily & wiped the tank almost every time. I lost 2 early on jumping into the lid. I made them seafood mix, beefheart & fed them those, pellets, flakes & frozen foods 5-6 times a day. I added 2 potted plants after a while & had to wipe them too. I worked very hard with some husband help, hung out at simply discus...& then we had to move coast to coast. I sold them cheaply to a simply friend...& "my" babies started laying eggs very soon after. He lost them all after a NE long power outage (sniff).

I'm not sure I have the energy or desire to try them again...but sometimes I think 1 more time! With older, more expensive discus...I have a big fishless tank & a stand a friend made for our MA discus...tempting

 

[FishAddict74]

D-I-S-C-U-S - 6 CARDINAL RULES FOR NEWBIES TO FOLLOW


First I'd just like to mention once again that discus are hardier than many people think, and are not difficult to keep, so long as one is prepared to accept and adhere to a few key practices that will provide the best chances of success with discus.

This listing is recorded more or less in order of importance:

1) - D - Do your homework well before delving into discus. Read and research all you can beforehand. Googling will certainly help, as well as spending a good deal of time reading the posts and threads on the simplydiscus.com forum, particularly the stickies in the 'Discus Basics for Beginners' section, which will provide you with much of the material you need to digest.

2) - I - Investigate and learn of the best sources to get your discus stock. Find those breeders &/or importers that are long time, well-experienced, responsible, reputable, and known to supply high quality, healthy, and well-shaped discus. Buy your discus from one of these sources in order to insure that you get off on the best footing possible.


This is the single, most important factor in succeeding with discus.



The simplydiscus.com forum has a sponsors section which lists a good number of high quality discus suppliers in North America. Check it out.

3) - S - Set up and plan to follow a strict regular routine of fresh water changes, tank wipe-downs and cleansing, vacuuming of wastes, and regular filter and media cleaning, changes, replacements, and maintenance. Be fully prepared for the kind of commitment it takes to produce and maintain the highest water quality and conditions that you can.

4) - C - Carefully consider the type of tank set up you start with. Make sure the tank size is ample enough to start with 5 or 6 discus. Don't be tempted to begin with a tank of less than 55 or 60 gallons, and don't try to justify going smaller by just getting 1, 2, 3, or 4 discus for cost or other reasons.


Wait till you have sufficient resources to get a proper-sized tank, and the suitable size and number of fish to insure continuing good health and harmonious discus sociability.


Do not start with small, undersized, very juvenile fish which have not yet developed a more mature immune system, are more demanding to raise properly, and much more prone to health problems and other issues. Get fish of at least 3.0" in size, preferably larger.

5) - U - Undertake to start off with a bare bottom tank, unless you're getting fully adult fish and have previous good experience with fish-keeping generally, and maintaining a planted tank in particular. If you must have some decor, limit yourself to a very thin sand substrate layer, and perhaps a piece of driftwood with just a couple of small plants attached, or one or two potted plants.


Once you gain several months' of experience getting to know your discus' traits & behavior, and your discus get larger, then you may proceed to an aqua-scaped environment, to possibly include some other species of compatible discus tank-mates.



Feed a varied diet, several times a day, and learn which foods will achieve a nutritious diet, by researching.

6) - S - Simplify. Keep things as simple as you can to start. Don't complicate your start with discus, at least at first, by placing them in a heavily planted environment, using CO2 and a strict fertilization regime.

Make sure your tank is fully cycled before adding the fish, and don't be tempted to alter or change the pH of your water, or modify your water conditions and parameters by using chemicals of any kind. No need to use RO water or adopt any other procedures that would tend to complicate what should be a simple start to your discus launch.



If you plan on eventually having a community tank set-up, carefully research the species of other fish you'd like to keep with the discus, to insure they are able to withstand the higher discus temp of at least 82 F, and that they are fully compatible with discus.



And do a complete and proper quarantine before adding any such tank-mates to your discus tank.

Follow these 'rules', and there's little doubt you will succeed with discus !

Great answer!! This isn’t making me want to keep discus though lol