why not just one discus?

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sigaru

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jun 18, 2010
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western massachusetts
i've been told that you should not have just one discus. i've been skimming through google and can't find someone saying exactly why. is it just because they are a social fish? or is there more? just curious
 
I would assume that they're a fish that naturally live in groups and, like clown loaches, become stressed if they are alone. With a fish as sensitive as Discus, any level of stress can be dangerous.

That's just my guess though so don't quote me on it and wait for the discus experts to chime in...
 
that's what i figured. there's one at my lfs that i like. but he's in a tank all by himself. i feel bad for him.. i definitely don't have the room for a colony...he can't go in my oscar tank, and i dunno if i could fit two in my 30g [way more thank likely not]. and i also don't know if they'd do well with two. i've heard not one, not three, four is sufficient, but six or more is best. haven't really heard much about two...and i wouldn't know the genders either
 
They're schooling fish which is why they "should" be kept in groups of 5-6. But having 1 discus in a community tank won't do it any harm as long as he's not being bullied.............
 
hm..well as i said, it's a community tank. as in completely non-aggressive fish. it's the tank in my setup dropdown...i'd be worried he'd eat my other fish though..mostly glofish
 
Remember, discus are still cichlids. So they can still show signs of aggression towards other fish...........
 
most discus keepers will tell you that one fish will hide most of the time and slowly die. two will work only if they are a mature mated pair. three usually won't work because soon there will be fighting until your back to one. I would'nt waste my money.
 
Well I'm new to discus but have been keeping sa cichlids for a few years. My small single discus is out going swims around acts like any other sa cichlid I have ever had. These are cichlids not tetras. Cichlids do not read the books on how they should act. Some are fine alone some might even be ok kept in 3s. They all have personality and mine is small and not at all shy or sad being alone. He now has festivum as tankmates and is Doug great with them.

Also these fish have been tank bred for a long time they are far removed from the wilds. Now if you were to keep 1 wild alone you might have a problem.

I have been talking with people on this topic and find that many people have kept just one with no problems.
 
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