Discus with this group of semi-aggressives?

[Ceveji]

Greetings forum-readers!

I'm new to discus but my local aquarium store recommended them for my tank. Always having heard they do better alone (in a discus-only tank), I was surprised at the recommendation. My tank is 60 gallons and well-cycled (no ammonia, nitrates, or nitrites). The pH is at 6.6 today. Here is my current fish population:

-2 elephant-nose fish
-3 geophagus (3.5-4")
-4 small congo tetras
-2 small clown loaches
-1 juvenile electric blue jack jempsey (2.5")

Can discus live with this group of semi-aggressives? Given discus' temperature requirements (80-86?) will a temperature of 80-81 (where my tank is usually) stress them out? If I bring the temperature up a couple of degrees (say, to 83 or 84) will my other fish and plants survive? For those concerned about my dempsey, he seems a bit territorial but overall quite docile (I've never seen him nip at anyone; in fact, he gets bossed around by the elephant-nose fish). The geophagus species I have is also very low-key in temperament.

Many thanks for your thoughts & advice.

 

[moneygetter1]

Your local guy just wants to sell u some expensive fish. Your setup would not be ideal for a group of discus. "T"

 

[moneygetter1]

BTW fix the print!!

 

[Ceveji]

Hello T,

Thank you for your reply! (What do you mean by "fix the print" by the way?)

So, I didn't hear from anyone for 48 hours and then I went ahead and bought 3 medium-sized discus... I just saw your post. I had also looked around on the net and found this article (http://freshaquarium.about.com/b/2009/06/16/electric-blue-jack-dempsey.htm), so I figured the electric blue jack dempsey & discus would be okay.

The discus have been in the tank for about 12 hours now and they seem alright, if a bit dark. This is stress, right? They ate blood worms this morning, however, and are out in the open swimming very slowly. I have noticed, however, that Mr. Jack D. has been taking "swats" at the discus. Is this because of compatibility issues or because they are new? I also added new elephant-nosed fish and they, too, were subject to harassment. How long does new-fish harassment continue?

Many thanks to all who can respond.

 

[Aquanero]

This isn't a good situation for Discus.

 

[Yoda1]

This isn't a good situation for Discus.

Yup, gotto agree.

Don't want to give you bad news, or dampen your enthusiasm, but this isn't an ideal situation.
Discus aren't as difficult as some people make out, but you do need to do some research first. And they certainly aren't impulse buy fish.

My advice would be to take them back to the lfs.
Then do plenty of research. Good info on here and specialist forums.
And make some informed decisions thereafter.

 

[Smithmode]

Greetings forum-readers!

I'm new to discus but my local aquarium store recommended them for my tank. Always having heard they do better alone (in a discus-only tank), I was surprised at the recommendation. My tank is 60 gallons and well-cycled (no ammonia, nitrates, or nitrites). The pH is at 6.6 today. Here is my current fish population:

-2 elephant-nose fish
-3 geophagus (3.5-4")
-4 small congo tetras
-2 small clown loaches
-1 juvenile electric blue jack jempsey (2.5")

Can discus live with this group of semi-aggressives? Given discus' temperature requirements (80-86?) will a temperature of 80-81 (where my tank is usually) stress them out? If I bring the temperature up a couple of degrees (say, to 83 or 84) will my other fish and plants survive? For those concerned about my dempsey, he seems a bit territorial but overall quite docile (I've never seen him nip at anyone; in fact, he gets bossed around by the elephant-nose fish). The geophagus species I have is also very low-key in temperament.

Many thanks for your thoughts & advice.

Me, I have my 2 discus in a more aggressive set up. I have mine with a. JD and oscar and others haha they have been fine for going on 7 months now. They are dark cuz it is a new environment. Give them a chance to settle in. If they ate that is a good thing.