how many??

[Snowflake311]

I'm starting my reasearch on discus. I'm confused. So angle fish school in the wild but they are still kept just fine alone. I have 3 Festivum then are schooling cichlids and get along get fine in a group of 3. People also keep them alone fine. Uaru are schooling fish in the wild for the most part and keeping just 2 is fine. My 2 uaru are always together.

So why is it that everyone says you must have 5 or more discus or you will have problems. I can understand why a school is better then a few. To spred out the pecking order and to help them feel safe. But these tank raise discus are pretty far removed from the wild one. So I would think this need to school might be less in your tank raised.

The tank I would convert for them is an 80 gal so I would have a few. it's just all this research has got me thinking.

SO how many do you keep and how do they do?

 

[3dees]

well first off all cichlids are not the same. discus are more timid than most cichlids. I don't think anyone can say 1,2, or 3 won't work. I am sure there are tanks out there with 1 or 2 discus. your just bucking the odds. I ordered 8 wild greens. fed ex destroyed the box and only 3 survived. my supplier had replcements but they were 1 month from being ready to ship. the first 2 weeks all was good. then 2 started picking on the smaller fish. after I recieved the other 5 all aggression has stopped. you have to ask yourself if you want to take the chance with such expensive fish.

 

[Snowflake311]

I agree. Well said thanks.

 

[Snowflake311]

How long could 4 discus live in a 36 gal bow front? I have an 80 gal I would use for them. I could not put them in it till I sold some fish I have and moved them to my other tank.

 

[wreck]

with discus they say lt 10 gallons per discus, i think 4 would be fine in there.

 

[3dees]

it depends on thier size. not very long for adults but it would be ok for 4" or less. just make sure to keep up with the water changes.

 

[ameehl3]

I have four discus in a 180 gallon tank and one has not been eating nearly as much and sort of has been getting picked on... any suggestions as to what to do?

 

[BODYDUB]

I have four discus in a 180 gallon tank and one has not been eating nearly as much and sort of has been getting picked on... any suggestions as to what to do?

There will always be a pecking order in cichlids. Which is why you try to have 8-10 discus per tank unless they're a pair....

 

[dp.71]

Even numbers are best

 

[Snowflake311]

Even numbers are best

I agree It is always better to have 4 then 3. I have 7 now I'm looking to get one more we will see if I find one I like.