View Full Version : discus in 90
how many discus could i keep in a 90 gallon planted tank and could a black ghoast knife and a couple clown loaches be kept in there and what kind of cat fish if any could go in there
thanks in advance
Nic
shekes
01-12-2006, 9:18 PM
Discus alone 15-30. I keep 11 in a 70g with UGF only and change 80% of the water once a month.
With good filtration and frequent WCs you could probably keep many more. But if you want them to breed - 2 couples - I think is the limit.
Can't answer the other questions. Avoid plecos though. They suck the slime of the discus.
rallysman
01-12-2006, 9:21 PM
I've been wanting a couple of discus for my 55 also...just started reading up on them. You have made me consider them more shekes.....I was under the impression that they are really difficult to care for but after reading your other posts.....i may have to give it a try.
AngelicGreenTerror
01-12-2006, 10:27 PM
I'd advise against the clown loaches and black ghost. Best tankmates for discus are neon tetras, cardinal tetras, rummynose tetras, corydoras, German blue and gold rams, and Angelfish. But be very careful with angels if you put them in with discus. You can also put black kuhlii loaches with discus.
shekes
01-12-2006, 10:47 PM
Discus are easy to keep if they are not wild-caught. After several generations in captivity they evolve to surviving mediocre water quality, lower temperatures and different lighting. They can live off Tetra-Color Bits only for at least a year and sometimes they pair off as adults.
Angefish carry diseases that don't bother them but kill the discus. Angels also eat tetras. It's their food in nature.
Kuhliis get along with discus but they pefer colder waters than the latter. Thus the temperature in the tank would have to be a compromise.
AngelicGreenTerror
01-12-2006, 10:56 PM
Discus are easy to keep if they are not wild-caught. After several generations in captivity they evolve to surviving mediocre water quality, lower temperatures and different lighting. They can live off Tetra-Color Bits only for at least a year and sometimes they pair off as adults.
Angefish carry diseases that don't bother them but kill the discus. Angels also eat tetras. It's their food in nature.
Kuhliis get along with discus but they pefer colder waters than the latter. Thus the temperature in the tank would have to be a compromise.
I may definitely consider discus now. Angels and discus can both get the Discus plague, which is very deadly to both. Never get discus nor angelfish from any Petsmart, as they are imported and have internal parasites for the most part.
cockroach
01-13-2006, 10:32 AM
i had angels with my discus and they were always sick. took the angels out and hey presto, not one spot of bother again. i put in a ram and he got teritorial on the discus and chased em. took him out. my pleco was caught red handed slime sucking and got relocated to the silver dollar tank. now i have 5 discus and 7 flying foxes (for algae control) in my 55gal and they are thriving. i have had discus now for about 11 months and they have turned out to be half the maintanence i read about and are my pride and joy.
Vitaliy
01-13-2006, 10:51 AM
Discus alone 15-30. I keep 11 in a 70g with UGF only and change 80% of the water once a month.
With good filtration and frequent WCs you could probably keep many more. But if you want them to breed - 2 couples - I think is the limit.
Can't answer the other questions. Avoid plecos though. They suck the slime of the discus.
15-30?! Please do not stick 15 to 30 Discus in your 90 gallon, something like 10 should be the MAX.
shekes
01-13-2006, 12:05 PM
Vitaliy, you seem to always recommend more water per fish and sometimes you maybe right.
The majority of discus sites recommend 5-10g/discus.
But I observed that discus become more self-confident and eat a lot better when forced to school. There would be no issues with water quality as long as you don't overfeed.
For breeding discus you need like 40g/couple, and the wild-caught ones also need more room. But I assure you that my discus are happiest in a crowd.
When I had 16 in 40g for a couple of weeks that was too crowded. But, as I said "I keep 11 in a 70g with UGF only and change 80% of the water once a month." and that works just fine.
well discus are out of the question the 90 is being set up for when the clowns and knife out grow the 45 how many in a planted 55?
AngelicGreenTerror
01-14-2006, 8:38 PM
well discus are out of the question the 90 is being set up for when the clowns and knife out grow the 45 how many in a planted 55?
3 discus is the maximum in a 55 gallon.
im moving my snake from my 75 ill make a nice planted discus tank out of that thanks for the info
Vitaliy
01-18-2006, 9:48 PM
Vitaliy, you seem to always recommend more water per fish and sometimes you maybe right.
The majority of discus sites recommend 5-10g/discus.
But I observed that discus become more self-confident and eat a lot better when forced to school. There would be no issues with water quality as long as you don't overfeed.
For breeding discus you need like 40g/couple, and the wild-caught ones also need more room. But I assure you that my discus are happiest in a crowd.
When I had 16 in 40g for a couple of weeks that was too crowded. But, as I said "I keep 11 in a 70g with UGF only and change 80% of the water once a month." and that works just fine.
Yes, I do recommend more water per fish but I do not just like to pull things out of my behind.
Generally most Discus websites will stage 10 gallon per one Discus based on that rule alone 30 Discus in a 90 gallon leaves about 3 per fish, 15 Discus in a 90 gallon leaves about 6 gallon per fish. I am sorry but suggesting 30 Discus in a 90 gallon is ridiculous and would not be tolerated by any Discus keeper, school of 8-9 Discus would be great in a 90 gallon.
Sources:
Discus For Beginners (http://www.netpets.org/fish/reference/freshref/discusbegin.html ) (50 liter equals to about 13 gallon)
Dallas Discus Tank Setup[ (http://www.dallasdiscus.com/tank_setup.htm)
Care and Breeding Basic Fact Sheet (http://www.tropicalfishcentre.co.uk/chrisdiscus.htm)
As far as breeding Discus, over crowding is still not an excuse. If you look at most Discus breeding resources such as websites and books, it is generally suggested to get a 40-55 gallon tank and get around 6 young Discus and let them pair off. Once you establish a pair you move that pair into a tank of their own.
Sources:
The Breeding of Discus (http://www.aquarticles.com/articles/breeding/grangediscus/)
Dont have any more at this point but I am sure Goolge will come up with something.
You could easily keep 10-15 discus in a 90 with no problem...just be sure to maintain your water changes...daily water changes are best, but not practical for most hobbyists...I recommend no less than 50% water change 1-2x a week. The more the better...you will notice a significant change in their appearance, appetite, health and growth the more water changes you do. For me, being a discus importer and breeder, I keep on average anywhere from 30-50 fish in a 65 gallon tank....but I am also doing 80% water changes 2x a day. I have the time to do this since I am in college and the discus thrive off of the heavy stocking and massive water changes. They eat like its their last meal every time I feed them and they eat until it looks like they've swallowed a marble! The key for any discus tank is the filtration and water changes...the more water changes you can do, the more discus you can fit in one tank.
-Ryan
Sunpoe
01-19-2006, 5:02 PM
15-30?! Please do not stick 15 to 30 Discus in your 90 gallon, something like 10 should be the MAX.
I had 6 discus in 50 gallon bare bottum and I thought that was pushing it. 30 in a 90g :eek: that will stunt them for sure !
Sunpoe
01-19-2006, 5:04 PM
Yes, I do recommend more water per fish but I do not just like to pull things out of my behind.
Generally most Discus websites will stage 10 gallon per one Discus based on that rule alone 30 Discus in a 90 gallon leaves about 3 per fish, 15 Discus in a 90 gallon leaves about 6 gallon per fish. I am sorry but suggesting 30 Discus in a 90 gallon is ridiculous and would not be tolerated by any Discus keeper, school of 8-9 Discus would be great in a 90 gallon.
Sources:
Discus For Beginners (http://www.netpets.org/fish/reference/freshref/discusbegin.html ) (50 liter equals to about 13 gallon)
Dallas Discus Tank Setup[ (http://www.dallasdiscus.com/tank_setup.htm)
Care and Breeding Basic Fact Sheet (http://www.tropicalfishcentre.co.uk/chrisdiscus.htm)
As far as breeding Discus, over crowding is still not an excuse. If you look at most Discus breeding resources such as websites and books, it is generally suggested to get a 40-55 gallon tank and get around 6 young Discus and let them pair off. Once you establish a pair you move that pair into a tank of their own.
Sources:
The Breeding of Discus (http://www.aquarticles.com/articles/breeding/grangediscus/)
Dont have any more at this point but I am sure Goolge will come up with something.
:thumbsup:
DeLgAdO
01-19-2006, 5:23 PM
keep there water warm too
84-86 is recommended
I had 6 discus in 50 gallon bare bottum and I thought that was pushing it. 30 in a 90g :eek: that will stunt them for sure !
its all about the water changes....the more you're able to do, the more fish you can keep in the tank. For instance, I keep anywhere from 30-50 discus in a 65 gallon tank with no filtration at all...just heaters and airstones. BUT, I am able to do this because I do 80%+ water changes 2x a day. there are huge advantages to stocking so heavily, such as an increased growth rate and increased appetite among the fish due to competition. But, if you miss a water change, then things start to go down hill from there...mostly ammonia burns. But for the common hobbyist, a stocking density of 1 fish per 10 gallons is ideal due to lesser and infrequent water changes.
-Ryan
JardiniBoy
01-21-2006, 10:50 PM
I'd advise against the clown loaches and black ghost.
Hi AGT
Would you mind clarifying why this would be a bad idea? I thinking of changing my 55 to a planted tank. Considering some discus (3 - 5), loaches and tetras. Is there any specific reason why discus aren't compatible with loaches?
JB
I'd advise against the clown loaches and black ghost.
Hey, Just curious, but why would this stress them out? Arn't they all form the same habbitat? (at leats the BGK and the discus) Yeah, I know that the Amazon river is a big place, but it is still the same water conditions and such... so why wouldn't it work?
Also, I'm probably going to get flamed for asking this... But what is everyones thoughts on incorporating 10 or so Discus in a 1200 gallon tank with some aro's, and a BGK? Would the would having a school make them feel more secure? And with the size they would not be competing for food. They would also have plenty of plants and areas to "hide."
Gooda
01-22-2006, 11:29 AM
Also, I'm probably going to get flamed for asking this... But what is everyones thoughts on incorporating 10 or so Discus in a 1200 gallon tank with some aro's, and a BGK? Would the would having a school make them feel more secure? And with the size they would not be competing for food. They would also have plenty of plants and areas to "hide."
Hey never mind that part, I just thought of a way that I can keep my girlfriend happy and not stress out the discus. :thumbsup:
Hey never mind that part, I just thought of a way that I can keep my girlfriend happy and not stress out the discus. :thumbsup:
Share! The idea, not the girlfreind,,, although :naughty:
AngelicGreenTerror
01-22-2006, 5:36 PM
Hi AGT
Would you mind clarifying why this would be a bad idea? I thinking of changing my 55 to a planted tank. Considering some discus (3 - 5), loaches and tetras. Is there any specific reason why discus aren't compatible with loaches?
JB
I say because of the different water temperature, and, in a group, clown loaches will be very active, and very active fish will stress out Discus.
I know a lot of people who keep clown loaches with discus and have no problems what so ever. Never bother the discus. IMO, they are a suitable tankmate.
-Ryan
AngelicGreenTerror
01-22-2006, 7:00 PM
I know a lot of people who keep clown loaches with discus and have no problems what so ever. Never bother the discus. IMO, they are a suitable tankmate.
-Ryan
Not all. Black kuhlii loaches are one of the better loach tankmates for Discus in my point of view.
hemiboo
01-28-2006, 3:38 AM
I was thinking about putting some discus in my 20 gallon. Could I put a handful of tetra's in there without undue stress?
my lfs is in the process of becoming an affiliate of jack wattley so im hoping they do cause then ill get some real nice discuss
my lfs is in the process of becoming an affiliate of jack wattley so im hoping they do cause then ill get some real nice discuss
Dont always count on it, lol. Jack's name has become a joke ever since Gabe bought the trademark name. Gabe doesnt breed and all he does is buy/sell imports, or buy/sell from a horrible breeder in Clearwater...
-Ryan
AngelicGreenTerror
01-29-2006, 8:53 PM
I was thinking about putting some discus in my 20 gallon. Could I put a handful of tetra's in there without undue stress?
NO! Discus needs to be in groups of 3 or more, and should not be kept in anything smaller then a 30 gallon. It will not work out.
hemiboo
01-31-2006, 3:01 AM
scratch that thanks
iLIVE4ThIs0309
02-04-2006, 12:55 PM
a little off topic..but i've always wanted to set up a 55 w/ a breeding pair of discus...but discus are so0o incredibly expensive...one of the lfs's here specializes in discus..and are an only fish store with very high quality fish..the cheapest discus they sell is $35 and i don't like the look of them that much...ive want to get a pair of marlboro red's but they're about $60 a piece...very expensive