Introducing Discus in a tank

[roydooms]

How fast, how many at a time should I introduce them in my tank?(after it cycles) I read that I should have at least 7. Is that true and that if it's lesser than 7 that some will die from bullying from other discus? Thanks.

 

[herp_mommy]

I added all 8 of mine at the same time. They do prefer to be in larger groups, and bullying can be a problem in smaller groups. What size is the tank?

 

[roydooms]

I added all 8 of mine at the same time. They do prefer to be in larger groups, and bullying can be a problem in smaller groups. What size is the tank?

I have a 125g. Is it going to be hard for the filter, beneficial bacteria to cope up if you add that much load at the same time?

 

[herp_mommy]

You should already have your tank cycled before you add the fish. Cycling is what builds up the bacteria.

 

[roydooms]

You should already have your tank cycled before you add the fish. Cycling is what builds up the bacteria.

I am waiting for my tank to cycle.But isn't it that the amount of bacteria that you have in you tank depends on the amount of waste during cycling?( im doing fish-in cycling. I wasn't informed if the fishless...). The amount bacteria produced during cycling can only handle a certain amount of waste. That's why you only introduce a few fishes at a time for the good bacteria to catch up with the amount of waste being produced by the added fish. Am I right?

 

[agrainger]

as you said, adding too many fish at once will put your tank into a mini cycle to increase the bacteria.

it also depends on the size of the discus you are getting. 8 juvi in a 125g would probably be fine 8 full grown adults is alot of bio load to add at once.

 

[roydooms]

as you said, adding too many fish at once will put your tank into a mini cycle to increase the bacteria.

it also depends on the size of the discus you are getting. 8 juvi in a 125g would probably be fine 8 full grown adults is alot of bio load to add at once.

That's good to know. I am planning on getting 7 juvi. I'll get them all at the same time thanks!

 

[roydooms]

Do you guys know the minimum number of discus in a tank?

 

[herp_mommy]

Do you guys know the minimum number of discus in a tank?

I wouldn't do less than 6. Also, you are correct about the bio load and the filter. I assumed you would be adding young discus, instead of full-grown discus. I seeded my filter from my 55gal and the bacteria is enough to handle the bio-load of 8 3" discus, 4 cories, and 20 tetras.

 

[roydooms]

I wouldn't do less than 6. Also, you are correct about the bio load and the filter. I assumed you would be adding young discus, instead of full-grown discus. I seeded my filter from my 55gal and the bacteria is enough to handle the bio-load of 8 3" discus, 4 cories, and 20 tetras.

Are you going to need a bigger tank once they get bigger? How big is your tank?

 

[herp_mommy]

I have a 110 gal, once they get bigger I'm removing the school of tetras.

 

[mgamer20o0]

the bigger the group the better. a 125 is a great size tank for discus. i would stock the other fish 1st then add the discus. this was its a more established tank. you just need to keep a eye on the levels for a few days make sure you dont get any spikes.

 

[roydooms]

the bigger the group the better. a 125 is a great size tank for discus. i would stock the other fish 1st then add the discus. this was its a more established tank. you just need to keep a eye on the levels for a few days make sure you dont get any spikes.

For example, I'm going to get 6 discus. How many black skirt and cardinal tetras can I get? I want to have 7 black skirts. So how many cardinal tetras can I get? Thanks.

 

[herp_mommy]

For example, I'm going to get 6 discus. How many black skirt and cardinal tetras can I get? I want to have 7 black skirts. So how many cardinal tetras can I get? Thanks.

I wouldn't get the black skirts, they're too rambunctious to be with discus IMO. I'd go with a school of 20-30 cardinals. They look fantastic in higher numbers.

 

[roydooms]

I wouldn't get the black skirts, they're too rambunctious to be with discus IMO. I'd go with a school of 20-30 cardinals. They look fantastic in higher numbers.

Oh, are they? Anyway, are there other good tank mates for discus?

 

[herp_mommy]

Oh, are they? Anyway, are there other good tank mates for discus?

German Blue Rams, Cory Cats, some people keep smaller plecos, lamp eye tetras. In any discus tank, I think the discus should be the main attraction.