Side note: My discus breeder ships anywhere in the world.
Once my wife and I sell this house and move into a new one I am doing 150 gallon discus tank (couple of angels, loaches and a large school of cardinals for variety). Hope to have between 9 - 11 unique discus.
Very nice fish! I love the pigeon bloods. I'm considering trading two of my angels for a couple of baby pigeon bloods...seeing these makes it all the more tempting.
Very nice fish! I love the pigeon bloods. I'm considering trading two of my angels for a couple of baby pigeon bloods...seeing these makes it all the more tempting.
Just a caution, Herky, discus do better in groups. I think Aunt kymmie has experience with that, she can comment. But I would go with 5 discus minimum, same as for angels, provided there is tank room of course. They are both shoaling fish by nature.
Yes, they do need to be in a group. Five minimum, IME. There will always be one who's going to be the "whipping boy" but it'll be much less when it's spread out amongst five. I had a real problem with a trio until I added two more. Also, the the smaller the discus, the higher the metabolism. Juveniles need to be fed very frequently, up to five times a day. If you've got the time to do this (I don't) then *babies* would be fine. I know 1077 raised six juveniles to adulthood and he's a great source of info.
NCFrank: I LOVE your fish
I would stay away from the babies also unless you have time to meet their needs. Also with juveniles the maintenance is MUCH greater. I would do daily 30% water changes in a tank full of juvies. Their immune system just ins't there yet.
Byron and Kymmie are both correct. The group of discus should be a minimum of 5. I currently have 4 in mine but it is due to the fact that I will not add 5 or more large fish into the aquarium at the same time so they have been introduced to a well established and planted aquarium over the course of about 6 weeks.
If you are adding them to a well established tank with compatible tankmates, the correct water parameters and you get them when they are atleast 4" you shouldn't have a problem. Just make sure that you do your scheduled maintenance.
I've had two discus for about a year now. I've had no problems. Bought them as babies. I would like to have more though. I know a local breeder who has been breeding discus for over 30 years, and he sells them to me for $5 each as babies, $30 as juveniles. Even if I had problems, I wouldn't be out as much monetarily as others who don't have the luck that I do to know the guy. I haven't had any issues. I keep my water conditions as faithfully as I can to suit my fish, and I have had lots of success...even keeping discus with angels, which I know is supposed to be a big no no...I've done it, and everything's been fine.
In any case, once again, you have awesome fish NC, do you have pics of your angels up anywhere on the forum? I'd love to see them too!
Just a couple of bad shots on my community tank page. I will take some better pics this weekend and post.
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