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.
Keeping Discus
- Thread starter colematthewmala
- Start date
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.
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.
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
Steph
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.
Hope this helps
Oh yeah, And if you get lazy or you mess up, the fish pay.....they are not very forgiving.
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)
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)
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.