Multiple Tank Syndrome has set in

Termato

I would advise against this.

36 gallons is far too small to keep Discus as a community fish IMO.

As you suggested, the profiles here say this:

Discus get to be about 6 Inches, and because their almost circular looking that makes for quite a big fish.

Stocking wise, this tank can handle the bio load.
Space wise, the fish will get too big to keep in a community IMO. It could work, but I do think it is small. It's like the people who keep bettas in a 1 gallon tank *sigh*.

36 Bow front is 30.3" x 15.5" x 20.9. Basically not much bigger than my 29 gallon, which I would never dream of keeping Discus in. It is really only taller (and wider because of the bow) than my tank: 30-3/16"L x 12-1/2"W x 18-3/4"H

I really wish I could keep Discus in my tank, but I really don't think they would be happy in that tiny space.

They should always be kept in a group of 5 or more except for breeding OR breeding pairs. They are schooling fish and are very social. This is the main reason most people keep at least 5-6 in a tank. They will be more active and happier. If you want to keep a nice school of Discus I would suggest a 75 Gallon tank at the very least.

If you want the pair of breeding Discus, you will be VERY limited on what you can keep with them in a tank that size. You would get away with a breeding pair but they would not be super happy in that small of a tank.

If you want a pair, I would recommend getting a 40 Breeder which will give them more room to swim around. 36" x 18" x 16" You get 6" longer of a tank, 3.5" deeper and its shorter. Discus live in shallow streams so they want wide long tanks. That way you stay with a small tank and you can still keep Discus. Just a thought.

You will find that if you keep too few in too small of a space, they may get slightly aggressive with one another.

If you want 5-6 Discus I would get a 75-100 gallon at the least. That is my Opinion. Good Luck!

Read more: Discus (Symphysodon aequifasciatus) Profile

marshallsea

I would have given my life to watch a night launch(or a day launch). As a kid for summers we drove from Texas to Neptune Beach. I love the ocean and the plentiful rain.(Not much around these parts). I still have a 2'' sharks tooth I found while they were dredging 38 years ago!

kitten_penang

that's why i wrote a pair.

Termato

Yeah I know, I'm just saying IMO I think a 36 bow would still be too small for a pair.

Unless you are ONLY keeping the two Discus in there with some substrate fish.

That is my opinion. Again, I would not ever keep angels or Discus in anything smaller than a 40 breeder for a pair and a 75 for a group.

kitten_penang

he's keeping corries they stay at the bottom all the time thats why i told him to check out the Discus pair

KPainter

Discus sound too big. I may end up with another schooling fish like danios, but I was really hoping for something more in the 3 inch range. I'll keep doing my research.

Termato

Good decision I think.

Cories don't need Driftwood but if you put some in there, they love hiding spots. The bigger the school they less shy they will be.

What are your water Parameters?

How many cories are you thinking?

I cannot in good spirit recommend any fish to you without knowing your water.

gH? kH? pH?

I am assuming since you are keeping cories you have soft water?

Some idea fish if you have right right waters could be:

Smaller Cichlids:
Electric Blue Ram
German Blue Ram
Bolivian Ram
Orange Ram
Kribensis (If you keep them, i wouldn't put anything other then them and the cories)

Killifish:
Clown killifish (Epiplatys annulatus)
Gardneri killifish (fundalopanchax gardneri)
Scheeli killifish (fundalopanchax scheeli)

Other Options:
Scarlet Badis
Sparkling Gourami (Trichopsis pumila)
Honey Gourami (Trichogaster chuna)
Other Gouramis
Female Bettas

For more suggestions on smaller fish to keep in tanks go here:

Read more: Nano Fish

Termato

Good point.

The pair could work in that case. I would still feel iffy though, still would rather the 40 breeder but that is just me.

I bet the cories would eat any possible eggs :(

I want to keep Discus one day, just need the space for it...and the money. Their expensive little fish.

kitten_penang

i find rams harder to maintain then Discus they are so sensitive to water changes. gouramis would be a better bet

Termato

The Bolivian Rams aren't as sensitive as the German Blue's, they are a bit easier to keep.

Rams are also really hard to find in good health these days. All the ones I have purchased have needed treatment of some kind. I can only find them at PetSmart. All the LFS' around here don't even carry them. Only ones that are too far away to consider.

Sucks because they are sooooo beautiful.