I'm a newbie at Discus, please help!

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Roberto G

Roberto G

Plecostomus
MFK Member
Mar 12, 2008
318
51
61
33
Costa Rica
Hello! I bought yesterday two Discus at a LFS. They are very small... about 2 inches high, one of them is a Red Pigeon, but his colors are orange with black spots, the other one is a turquoise blue, but he is a bit gray with a big line crossing his eye vertically, these are because of stress right? I'll be posting some pics tonight so you may help me! I know already the minimum number of discus per tank is three, but im planing to buy more if this two survive well. I'm feeding them with flakes and some bloodworm. I would like you to help me succede with this new adventure i'm starting hehe!

Thanks!
 
Both the black spots and the black line will likely stay there. You have young discus so you are going to have to do more work to make sure they grow well. There is a ton of info out there which I am sure you can/have found on what is best for your discus. Good luck.
 
i have read that discus are best kept in a min quantity of 5 to 6 per tank (unless it is a mated pair) if they are in smaller numbers they become very stressed about everything. just FYI
 
I would definitely keep at least a group of 5 in a 55 gal, that's pushing it a little bio-load wise so a 65-75 g would be better. That said I got 4 when I ordered mine and ended up with 2 pairs (just lucky) Discus feel more comfortable and do better in groups, especially when young or new to your tank. They're not what I'd consider 'hard' to take care of in my experience. But it depends on how dedicated you are. Some poeple think doing 1 water change a month is a hassle with any fish, that person would say Discus were difficult to take care of. Bloodworms seem to be a big hit with them. I got lucky with mine because they ate anything and everything I gave them. Keep their water good, their diet varied and enjoy them.
 
TwistedPenguin;2303584; said:
I would definitely keep at least a group of 5 in a 55 gal, that's pushing it a little bio-load wise so a 65-75 g would be better. That said I got 4 when I ordered mine and ended up with 2 pairs (just lucky) Discus feel more comfortable and do better in groups, especially when young or new to your tank. They're not what I'd consider 'hard' to take care of in my experience. But it depends on how dedicated you are. Some poeple think doing 1 water change a month is a hassle with any fish, that person would say Discus were difficult to take care of. Bloodworms seem to be a big hit with them. I got lucky with mine because they ate anything and everything I gave them. Keep their water good, their diet varied and enjoy them.
Click to expand...


youve had discus befor havent ya? lol
i would follow all these guidlines, but ill add a couple things. in they wild discus use there narrow bodies to cut deep into the foliage and feel secure there. their colors will increase dramatically if you have a lot of plants, driftwood, etc.

and for colors, try and get them on omega one. and put a BLACK(not dark blue) background on, with a very strong light(once their settled in.):)
 
I've had my 4 Discus for just 4 months. I think I get lucky a lot. I've never once had any of the problems everyone talks about with them and mine have grown like crazy. I'm glad I read a bunch before I got them though, at least I was prepared for problems but thankfully haven't had any.
 
thanks for your help! I'll be posting pics this night, hope you can continue helping me
 
hello, i'm sorry but i couldn't took pics of the tank, I add some floating plants I took from a river here at Costa Rica, by the way... this river have blackwater streams same as the Amazon River! which is very cool because its like if you where navigating the authentic Amazonia! well back with the floating plants... they have looong roots, about 30cm long or more, I hope my Discus like this new object at their aquarium, I really will try to post some pics!
 
Since no one said something about the floating plants I guess they are ok, I add some Egeria najas to the tank(wild species)... my discus seem to like them because they are already swimming normally through the plants and roots, the tank looks very natural at this moment, I promise pictures as soon as possible
 
No problem with floating plants with roots... The only concern is if you are adding parasites from the wild into your tank.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom