Adding outsider discus to established community
 

Am I asking for trouble if I add a similarly-sized single discus to my already established community of 6 discus? Of course I would quarantine it first; don't want anything to happen to the original 6 though.

Thanks.

I've been through that situation twice, with mixed results.

First time was a smaller tank (30g) and only 4 discus adding a 5th (all 2-3"). Went great - fish acted like they were long lost pals waiting to reunite.

Second time was a bigger tank (55g), 5 discus (had been relocated from the 30), adding a 6th (fish now ~4"). Didn't go so good. The new guy got chased a lot, especially at feeding times. I ended up taking him out after a short while, putting him in a isolation tank, and power feeding him for a week or 2. He got a little bigger than the others, went back in, and was able to hold his own much better. Still gets chased some, but not anymore than the others.

Wish I could give you a more concrete answer, but thats how it happened for me.

Good luck!
-jim

If you decide to add another discus to the tank, I would rearrange to tank's furnishings and add the fish under the cover of darkness.

Cool. I was more worried about health concerns. Any info there?

Quarantining is the safe way. I only quarantine fish that I buy that are not from my lfs's. I also quarantine ALL wild caught fish that I recieve.

Yes, I quarantine all my fish for a week before adding them to the real tank(s). Thanks for the input!