discus

[dandaman]

Hy, i've got a 30-35 gallon hex tank.
I am willing to put two discus, rummynose tetras, and a couple of platties that i would breed.
Any suggestions to if this would work?
thanks

[Julie]

Hi Dan - juvenile Discus do better in larger groups.
A mated pair would do fine in your tank.

[aidensmomma2000]

Yup- Discus should be in groups when little, and I think the tank temp might be too high for a platty to feel comfortable.

[Evan]

I agree with both.

[dandaman]

ok- thanks- but do you think it would be possible to get them (adult mating pair) at a reasonable price?
20-30$ each?- or do you think i could fit more than two juveniles in my 30 hex?
Thanks

[Julie]

Mated pairs are quite expensive.  
You might be able to get a mated pair past their prime and not breeding at a good price.
Generally it is one Discus per 10 gallons.
Is your tank going to be planted?

[dandaman]

Yes it will be probably- but would  a non-planted tank be better- because if it is- that will be the way all go.
And  do you or anyone you know, have a pair that no longer breeds?- that would be great if you knew someone-
thanks

[Julie]

Baby/Juvenile Discus do better in bare bottom tanks.

Try Ottawa Discus, he's a member- he breeds Discus.

[dandaman]

ok - wat if i put like 3 or 4 discus(juvies) in my tank- would that be fine?
Could they do fine in my 30-35g.?
It is a tall hex and has a biowheel filter with a bottom of tank air pump-
and by the way- i am really trying to get rid of my black moor- also 2 pond fish- do you want them( or do you no anyone who would?)
Thanks

[dandaman]

do you think i could?
any suggestions, and does anyone want the goldfish?

[Julie]

You could try 4, though 6 is usually recommended.  A pecking order gets established and the more the merrier.

[dandaman]

OK, thanks jules, but do you think 6 would be fine in my 30?

[Julie]

I think 6 would be too many - you have to take into consideration they grow to be quite large; are messy eaters and poopers.  :wink:

[dandaman]

Could i put two 1.5-2" ers in my tank wth a dozen of cardinals?
Would that be ok ,
thanks

[Julie]

With only 2 juvies, one would likely be the aggressor and the other would not eat properly and be bullied and end up stunted.

[dandaman]

ok- what if i put 4 juvies from superpet in my tanks with 5 cardinals?
would that be fine?

[luvfishies]

ok- what if i put 4 juvies from superpet in my tanks with 5 cardinals?
would that be fine?

To start with, yes. You will need to be doing lots of feeding and waterchanges of 50% AT LEAST 3 times per week, in order to grow them out well. Ultimately your tank will only reasonably support 2 adult discus IF you get a "pair". If you have no "pairs" you really should have 5-6, which your tank can't support, sizewise, or spacewise.

I honestly wouldn't rec discus until you have at least a 55g tank, as they are BIG fish, large eaters, and they poo Telephone Poles. Plus they are messy eaters.

[dandaman]

thanks for the advice

[Julie]

As luvfishies said - lots and lots of water changes.
Check out this informative article:
http://ovas.ca/article.php?sid=6

What kind did you see at Superpet?

[dandaman]

They might be getting blue diamonds