What fish for this tank? Rainbows, Discus, or both?

[TheFishBoss97]

I have a 125 gal with maybe 6-7 rainbows right now. I have had a few more in the past, but never as many as 20. Do you think the rainbows will be too active for the discus? Mine are busy and fast moving! I've never kept discus, so I honestly don't know the answer to that, but I thought they were a more shy fish.

wren

okay, thanks Yea, I currently have a pair of young discus, and used to have boesmanis and praecox(6 of each in a 72G)...thanks for info!

Ive never kept discus but from what i understand , fast moving fish can be overwhelming for discus.

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Yes, I realize that it may be too much! thanks for input

I didn't vote in the poll....but will say, having cared for both fish....rainbows are way too active for discus. Plus the temp requirements are opposite. While you will find documentation saying rainbows TOLERATE upt to 82....you will find far more info saying they are healthier and happier and will exhibit better coloring at temps of 72-78. Discus like at least 82.

I thought about that earlier, but I have successfully kept rainbows at 84F in my 72G a while back before this tank and they seemed to do fine, but yes, as you said, they may be too active thanks for input appreciate it!

were you considering Adult Discus?
it's generally NOT recommended to raise juveniles in a large planted tank.

I have never heard that before, but do you know why? Does it have something to do with growth? please let me know! thanks!

 

[TheFishBoss97]

Agreed - I prefer to aim for conditions under which the fish I keep will thrive, not making the best of conditions under which they can survive. They are incompatible in more than one way, so why try to make the square pegs fit in round holes?
I would really think about whether I wanted a calm, quiet tank (discus) or an active tank (the rainbows and well matched tankmates)...and then stock accordingly.

yes, I have changed my mind thanks for input! much appreciated!

I would raise one or the other, but not both together for many reasons.


Star-rider:
That is the first time I have ever heard that. Do not see a reason why not.

Thanks for input! And same, i have never heard for the planted growth thing...

As others have said, keeping Rainbows and Discus together is generally a big no-no.
They're not at all compatible tankmates - Rainbows' active and semi-aggressive
behaviors are almost certain to stress discus, often leading to health issues for the discus.

And Star Rider is quite correct in saying that juvie discus, particularly smaller ones under say 3.5", should not be raised in a large tank like the size of the one mentioned in this thread. Firstly, juvies do not usually develop well in a planted environment due to tank cleansing dfficulties - some would not likely reach optimal growth, and may even turn out stunted.

Secondly, even in a large bare-bottom tank, juvie discus seem to be uncomfortable in the vaster surroundings, as they much prefer being in close, sociable, tight-knit groups. In large tanks they may not be able to locate sufficient, readily at hand food which they need to develop properly (i.e. 3-4 or more feedings a day.)
For small juvies to be comfortable in a 112 gal tank, one would need to be keeping 30 to 40 of them, and then only until they got to around 4.5"-5" in size.

okay, I see! thanks for help right now, i have a pair(3.5" or so) but I understand how I'd need at least 20+ to keep them happy and in a planted tank, maintenance would be a huge hassle as I am in highschool

I recenly went through this same choice. Upgraded a mostly Rainbow fish 70 to a 120 gallon.

Have always been tempted by the thought of having Discus. Strongly considered mixing the two, but as others have mentioned, temperment and temperature requirements are quite different. Didn't think either would be too happy.

Then I thought about switching the whole tank over to Discus......but in the end, I decided to stick with the Rainbows.

Whether it's true or not, my perception is that Discus are a bit more finicky and would take some extra care. I have great respect for and admire those who keep beautiful Discus tanks. But in the end, the deciding factor for me is that Rainbow's are very, very easy to take care of. Mine have proven to be nearly indestructible, and still make for a very nice colorful tank.

Nice! I am probably going with rainbows too! thanks for the help!

One or the other, or smaller rainbows or schoolers with the discus...my rainbows, Madagascar and praecox, are definitely semi-aggressive and could stir up the discus too much. Do the discus and show all the pretty ladies you're secksie fish ahahahaha.

haha lol, yes, I am thinking about another way...I'll mention in a diff post...thanks man!

 

[TheFishBoss97]

OKAY So here is the plan...let me know if this sounds good to you guys!

This plan has the best of both worlds in a way, since they will not be together

Initially:

112G
Stock with the rainbows 8-10 of two different types or maybe 6 of each and three different types
the remaining fish will be plecos/small schoolers/loaches with temp ranges 78F-86F

29G
I will grow out discus I purchase in this tank, I will re-home my pair to a 20G planted(all alone besides shrimps, doesn't matter if they eat the shrimps, i have an endless supply)...

Later(8 months+)
112G
Re-home/Transfer rainbows(I will definitely have a spare tank of at least 40Gs by then or I will sell them)
Place in discus(almost full grown)
keep the earlier plecos/schoolers/loaches as they are fine in discus temps

I think this sounds good, I hope it does lol

If not, I will go with just rainbows and keep my discus out of the "show tank" as the only show tanks I have currently are a fluval ebi, fluval edge, and this huge new acquisition

let me know guys, what are your thoughts?

 

[discuspaul]

IMO, you wouldn't be very successful trying to grow out the suggested minimum number of 5 smaller juvie discus in a 29 gal tank, and not for very long either. They would soon require around a 55 gal tank, and even a larger tank than that when they became near adults, or adults, over 5".
Unfortunately, I don't think your plan is a very good one.
Perhaps you should re-think keeping discus - which I hasten to add, is not difficult to do, so long as it's done properly.
I think it might help you to have a read of my "Beginner's Guide to Getting Started with Discus", located here as a Sticky in the Cichlids section - Angel Fish & Discus sub-section. Look it up, and when you're done, I'd be more than happy to help you do things right, should you decide you really want to keep discus.
All the best to you,
Paul

 

[TheFishBoss97]

IMO, you wouldn't be very successful trying to grow out the suggested minimum number of 5 smaller juvie discus in a 29 gal tank, and not for very long either. They would soon require around a 55 gal tank, and even a larger tank than that when they became near adults, or adults, over 5".
Unfortunately, I don't think your plan is a very good one.
Perhaps you should re-think keeping discus - which I hasten to add, is not difficult to do, so long as it's done properly.
I think it might help you to have a read of my "Beginner's Guide to Getting Started with Discus", located here as a Sticky in the Cichlids section - Angel Fish & Discus sub-section. Look it up, and when you're done, I'd be more than happy to help you do things right, should you decide you really want to keep discus.
All the best to you,
Paul

Thanks! I'll go read up on that! Okay then! Final decision: Rainbow Tank

but the discus pair I already have should be fine alone or with a few schoolers(neons) in a 29G by themselves, right? If they do breed, I will setup a few empty 20Gs sitting in the garage...

sound good?

 

[discuspaul]

Thanks! I'll go read up on that! Okay then! Final decision: Rainbow Tank

but the discus pair I already have should be fine alone or with a few schoolers(neons) in a 29G by themselves, right? If they do breed, I will setup a few empty 20Gs sitting in the garage...

sound good?

Yes, that would be fine IF, and that's - IF - they prove out to be a mated pair.

If not, then I'm quite certain, at some point in time or another, you will experience some pecking order/aggression issues. Discus are social fish, doing much better in groups of at least 6 or more - or many more. Keeping just 2, 3, 4, or 5, usually leads to pecking order problems, while keeping just one - generally makes for 'one lonely camper'.

 

[TheFishBoss97]

Yes, that would be fine IF, and that's - IF - they prove out to be a mated pair.

If not, then I'm quite certain, at some point in time or another, you will experience some pecking order/aggression issues. Discus are social fish, doing much better in groups of at least 6 or more - or many more. Keeping just 2, 3, 4, or 5, usually leads to pecking order problems, while keeping just one - generally makes for 'one lonely camper'.

Then I may end up selling...I have no idea on how to sex them, but they get along quite well atm swimming around together...they are in a lightly planted 29G atm with a few german blue ram babies(<1") and some baby angels...I will be putting the angels on aquabid and moving the gbrs to my 20G planted soon(1-2 months)

 

[discuspaul]

Then I may end up selling...I have no idea on how to sex them, but they get along quite well atm swimming around together...they are in a lightly planted 29G atm with a few german blue ram babies(<1") and some baby angels...I will be putting the angels on aquabid and moving the gbrs to my 20G planted soon(1-2 months)

Hey, you never know - even if they don't turn out to be a true mated pair, it is possible they could be 'sympatico' and get along well together. It has happened, but it's usually the exception rather than the rule.
Good luck to you.

 

[ZivaD]

Thanks! I'll go read up on that! Okay then! Final decision: Rainbow Tank

but the discus pair I already have should be fine alone or with a few schoolers(neons) in a 29G by themselves, right? If they do breed, I will setup a few empty 20Gs sitting in the garage...

sound good?

Great decision
Have you decided yet what types of rainbows?

 

[TheFishBoss97]

Hey, you never know - even if they don't turn out to be a true mated pair, it is possible they could be 'sympatico' and get along well together. It has happened, but it's usually the exception rather than the rule.
Good luck to you.

haha, maybe! I'll see! I hope they are...

Great decision
Have you decided yet what types of rainbows?

haha thanks!
Definitely Dwarf Neons...Besides that, I am going to go with whatever I can find...I see red irians and boesmanis often on aquabid going for $50ish for 8-12 shipped...

Idk for sure tho, feel free to give suggestions as long as you know of reliable sources(dealers/sellers) or you can sell to me