Discus? Any special needs etc

[matt123]

I have been offered some tank bred discus for my 3ooltr aquarium!
it currently houses 2 med angelfish and 2 gourami, i have built a kind of mangrove root setting using loads of long bits of bog wood to provide cover etc.
what would be the best way to get this tank ready (if its not alraedy) for the discus as i have heard many different things about them, ranging from really hard to feed to really easy and not too neady (this is the tank bred).
please any info would be greatly apreciated ! im doing a lot of research, books etc but would like some first hand knowlege !
cheers Matt

 

[itzacraze]

most importantly match your suppliers water parameters exactly do not attempt to make soft water desptire what you read match where they came from..... next keep your water very clean and very consistent they arnt as hard as they are made out some good tank raised fish not be too much trouble... if your angels and gourami dominate feeding time throw in a divider untill the discus adjust to your tank i doubt this will be necessary

 

[Tigerdat]

Discus need to be warm, 84 degrees or so but I wouldn't keep them any cooler. They also like super clean water, I used to change there water 2x a week about 50%, nitrates are very bad for discus. Most tank raised discus do ok over a wide PH range, but some need a PH of 7.0 or less. I have gotten them to breed in my water which came out of the tap at 8.2, the tank was at 8.0 but I have also had some that wouldn't do well at that PH, also my water was also a little hard. There was no way I could keep wild discus in my tank, I tried but they all died or I gave them away before they went to the big fish tank in the sky. In the end I gave up on keeping discus because of my water. I would test your water before spending money on them. I would say if your water comes out of the tap with a PH of 7.0 or less and is farely soft then do it. I've used RO water but that was a real pain to mix up 60 gallons 2x a week. I had to get the hardness right or it wold stress them out. My tanks are now on a drip system but I keep central American cichlids or african fish.

 

[matt123]

Brilliant cheers guys i shall be on the phone to the store for the water specs ! thanks again !

is there any decor that would help the fish settle in better or will my mass amounts of bogwood caves etc be ok for them ??

 

[kydsexy]

um discus are insane fish to keep. i won't attempt to keep them until i am ready to retire full time from work. i mean, what kind of fish needs water changes at least every other day?! that's nuts!!!!

 

[cassharper]

um discus are insane fish to keep. i won't attempt to keep them until i am ready to retire full time from work. i mean, what kind of fish needs water changes at least every other day?! that's nuts!!!!

yeah... not so much really. 2 50% a week is usually enough to keep discus water quality at an adequate level.

 

[ronin_man]

pending on tank size and stock of course

 

[Bderick67]

if these discus you are getting are juvies, they will not do well with angelfish. The angelfish are aggressive feeders there is a good chance you new discus will become stressed during feeding time resulting in them starving themselves.

 

[Lupin]

yeah... not so much really. 2 50% a week is usually enough to keep discus water quality at an adequate level.

Juveniles usually require more water changes to ensure clean water quality as they grow. Adults though do not require that much but yes, twice a week is already sufficient.

Brilliant cheers guys i shall be on the phone to the store for the water specs ! thanks again !

is there any decor that would help the fish settle in better or will my mass amounts of bogwood caves etc be ok for them ??

Usually, discus prefer subdued lighting. Plants and driftwoods will help provide refuge for them.

if these discus you are getting are juvies, they will not do well with angelfish. The angelfish are aggressive feeders there is a good chance you new discus will become stressed during feeding time resulting in them starving themselves.

 

[matt123]

well the ones i have been offered are around an inch to two bigger than the angels, but i can see what youir saying as the angels are quite agressive !
im really not sure on what to do ? i think i may pass on the discus and go for a more hardy group of fish ! any ideas ??