minimum # of discus

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I have 6 discus, a krib, 2 bolivian rams, tetras, clown loaches, and rainbowfish in a 125. My Bolivian rams are territorial but not towards fish bigger than them, Once my keyhole outgrew the ram, he stopped getting bossed around. My discus run the tank, they don't let the rams get near their food. My krib who is more bossy than aggressive doesn't even go near my discus.
When you buy discus, you want to buy the more sociable ones, the ones that come to front of tank when you approach. IMO, I would say get the discus first, maybe up to 6 and then gradually add the other fish that you want. If they aren't compatible, take them out and replace them with a different fish. Everyone will have different experiences so you'll have to use trial and error and proper judgement to see what works for you. If I asked if I put the fish I got in my tank "online experts" would yell NO, but I've had this setup for almost a year with few problems.
 
There is a difference between a 72 bowfront and 125 long tank. In this case, main difference it makes is gonna be when it comes to stocking fish, you'll have less fish to put in you tank. The averegae discus is mid to high level swimmers, rams/kribs are bottom dwellers. Heavily planted tanks accommodate territories and hiding places. Telling someone they can’t do something just because you couldn’t accomplish it is wrong IMO. I bought one of my discus off of craigslist and the guy who sold it to me breed bolivian rams in his heavily planted 55 gallon with about 5 adult male discus in it, included the one I purchased, and nickel sized baby discus that he had just put in the tank. None of his discus were hiding, and neither do mine.
Now I would never tell someone discus and rams are 100% compatible, but I wouldn't tell them it can't be done.
 
dirtyblacksocks;1642033; said:
125 is a 6 foot by 2 foot tank I think?

Big difference.
Click to expand...

6x18"

I would do 6 discus, and that's it. They should be fine
 
I never said anything along the lines of discus and rams, aside from that I felt the discus should be allowed to reach adulthood before having added stress that a breeding pair of rams would potentially put on them.

I did say that a kribensis with discus in a 72 gallon tank is a no-no, and while it might work some of the time, MOST of the time it won't.

There are far better choices then kribensis for potential tank mates - male kribs get too violent when breeding IMO.
 
Hi,

this is Heiko Bleher and I just wanted to say the following:

1. Remember that discus are group fishes, just like cardinal tetras (if you want). And I can only suggest to have no less than 6 in a tank, as already mentioned.
2. They do not associate with kribs and rams are also not their partner. The best fishes with discus are plecos, otos, as cichlids their companions are earth eaters as Geophagus and Biotodoma species (always in small groups), Uaru and Mesonauta species. Also angelfishes (but only P. leopoldi and P. scalare).

And give them fine sand and open space with some shady areas in your tank.

All the best and regards from a collector,

Heiko Bleher
www.aquapress-bleher.com
 
Heiko Bleher;1647079; said:
Hi,

this is Heiko Bleher and I just wanted to say the following:

1. Remember that discus are group fishes, just like cardinal tetras (if you want). And I can only suggest to have no less than 6 in a tank, as already mentioned.
2. They do not associate with kribs and rams are also not their partner. The best fishes with discus are plecos, otos, as cichlids their companions are earth eaters as Geophagus and Biotodoma species (always in small groups), Uaru and Mesonauta species. Also angelfishes (but only P. leopoldi and P. scalare).

And give them fine sand and open space with some shady areas in your tank.

All the best and regards from a collector,

Heiko Bleher
www.aquapress-bleher.com
Click to expand...

There you have it. Advice from "The Discus Man" himself, Mr. Heiko Bleher. The man that collected many of the original wild fish that many of our present day domestic fish came from. Thank you for visiting our forum Mr. Bleher, and sharing your vast knowledge.
 
would apistos work?

so i should do less than 6 ever huh?
damn.. and that's pretty much be all i could keep in a 72 then...

just a side note. are rays and discus ok? if given a big enough tank to house a ray?
 
i have seen extremely beautiful and successful setups with discus and rays, but all of these are in tanks in excess of 200 gallons - 72 would not work. Also, these tanks were tall enough to allow the discus to stay well above the rays. And make sure the discus are big enough to not be eaten by the rays.
 
well yeah i would have done all that if this was a real possibility i was just wondeering if they were compatable, or if one would go out of it's was to get the other.
 
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