Adopted 2 angelfish - mix with discus?

jsm11482

Hi, we've just adopted 2 angelfish from the local shelter (see them here).

Originally I was thinking of putting them in their own tank but I also have a 90gal w/two Discus. I've read mixed reviews regarding putting angelfish and Discus in the same tank and I'd like some opinions on this.

Taken from http://joshday.com/discusfish.htm:

Thanks!

Byron

I would recommend keeping the angels separate from the Discus, as I'll explain momentarily. Do you have suitable accommodation for the angels on their own? As they are presumably used to each other, it would probably be unwise to add other angels, even though this beautiful fish should always be in a group of 5 or more (except spawning pairs), as is explained in our profile, Pterophyllum scalare [click on the shaded name to see the profile]. Circumstances sometimes dictate "un-normal" situations, and this may be one such case.

This fish reaches 6 inches in length, and up to 8 or more inches in height (fin span), so it needs "room" as you probably know. A 3-foot in length tank with the two angels and some "dither" fish to provide more security, plants and branches, would not only be a beautiful display but would almost guarantee their good health.

On the Discus/angelfish issue. Many do keep these fish together, but it is not advisable. The disease issue mentioned is not the reason; the inherent nature of the two species is. Jack Wattley who certainly knows about Discus has often remarked that they should not be combined with angelfish. Angelfish are much more aggressive at feeding than Discus, and Discus may become intimidated by this, and not eat sufficiently even to the point of refusing to eat at all. I would not mix them if it can be avoided.

Byron.

jsm11482

Thanks Byron. I do not have an alternate tank setup for them at this point - I was looking into getting another one set up but I'd prefer it if I didn't have to do that, of course.

Do you think it would not be okay to give it a try? Right now my Discus are very "brave" e.g. they are always out and greeting us and "dancing" whenever we're in view. They eat very well. If I did a trial and found that their habits changed, presumably I could relocate the angels at that time, right? (Assuming that an additional tank has been established.)

Byron

This is difficult for me to answer truthfully without being direct.

If this were me, I would either not buy the angels, or I would buy a new tank and set it up for them [they have to wait for this, and a temporary 20g could suffice, or even a 10g]. I would never add them to an established Discus aquarium.

The reason for the latter is two-fold. First, the high risk of "disturbing" the Discus. These are cichlids, as are the angelfish [I know you know this, just making a point]. All cichlids, regardless of species, consider the aquarium "theirs." Period. They may or may not tolerate "intruders," and this can be any other fish species coming in after they settle in, but with another cichlid it is intensified many times over. And in reverse the angels may be temperamentally troublesome; a territorial male angelfish can kill every fish in a tank in a matter of days if it so decides. We don't know the temperament of this pair because we don't know their history. Their past environment and care may have caused them to become real bullies; or they may be quite the opposite and thus subject to the Discus aggression.

While we can make generalities about fish species, we all know that individuals can differ, and often this is due to environment. But we still know their inherent traits that nature has given them, and we cannot change this. My approach is always to assume what is "natural" will occur. And that means in this case not mixing them. I would not want to risk a tank of Discus.

Byron.

jsm11482

Going with a separate tank: Josh's 55g Angelfish Tank