What discus age is safe with an arowana?

[Patrick M Bodega Aquatics]

Hello! I am looking to invest in a 535 gallon aquarium with a black arowana, 2 motoro stingrays, and some discus. As you know, due to the high price of discus, I was thinking of buying small 2 inch juveniles since they'd be much cheaper. My only worry is the cannibalistic personality of both the arowana and rays for small fish. I'm concerned about the slower growth rate of discus versus the extremely fast rate of the aro. Do you think it is good idea for me to just by more mature discus or would the little ones have a chance if I bought them at roughly the same time? Thanks!

 

[Matteus]

If you insist on putting discus with an aro and rays make sure the rays and aro are very small and the discuss are large. Once the predators get bigger you will need to move the discus out. It can work for a time period but it isn’t good idea long term.

 

[A201]

Besides the awkward fish combination, Discus require very warm water.
Heating a 535 gal. tank to 84 - 86 degrees might be problematic.

 

[Caveden]

Hello! I am looking to invest in a 535 gallon aquarium with a black arowana, 2 motoro stingrays, and some discus. As you know, due to the high price of discus, I was thinking of buying small 2 inch juveniles since they'd be much cheaper. My only worry is the cannibalistic personality of both the arowana and rays for small fish. I'm concerned about the slower growth rate of discus versus the extremely fast rate of the aro. Do you think it is good idea for me to just by more mature discus or would the little ones have a chance if I bought them at roughly the same time? Thanks!

My advice is be wary. Arowanas can become territorial and attack the discus especially if you’re trying to get juvenile discus. I agree with matteus it may not work long term.

 

[Patrick M Bodega Aquatics]

Thank you! What about some frontosas instead?

 

[Caveden]

I think that would be better as frontosas are faster compared to discus. I’m not 100% certain so I’ll let others chime in.

 

[Patrick M Bodega Aquatics]

Okay. Thank you very much!

 

[Damascus]

Okay. Thank you very much!

Fronts may be a bad move with rays