(stupid question)50g cube to small for 3-4 discus?

[shrimpNewbie]

I'm currently upgrading and still exploring some possibilities for changing the stock, would be awesome to see 3 or 4 discus in the tank and I would grow them from juvie size of course, if you are worried about water quality you shouldn't if you find my journal for this tank you'll know why then.

Thanks=]


also please speak from experience, reading something online is easy.

[LB79]

Nope. But, unless you've got a breeding pair, it's considered best to have at least 5 discus minimum. They fight a lot, and the weakest fish in a group of 4 or less can get pretty beat-up. That said, I have 4 discus in an absurdly heavily planted tank and they are fine, and although they do get into occasional scrapes, no one gets hurt.

[shrimpNewbie]

How small is your tank? I wouldn't want to but has anyone kept a single as a display?

[shrimpNewbie]

Anyone think it is worth trying? Maybe a pair forms and I can sell the others off. If its worth thing I'll start with 2-3 month old specimens and the tank will be heavily planted with stems

[LB79]

Mine's a 55. I started out with one, and, like other schooling fish, while they like others of their kind, they are totally fine without them. A little less colorful and a bit more jumpy, but they can live through it fine.

[shrimpNewbie]

Thank you very encouraging I'll make sure I have someone nearby willing to take them if they need more friends. I am still only saying maybe. If I could get one to get along with a Betta would be even better lol

[LB79]

They'll be fine with a betta. They might out compete it for food, though, so make sure it gets its share. Discus are total pigs.

Now, mind you, if you're raising discus in a planted tank, you aren't going to get that 8 inch, perfectly round dinnerplate. It'll be more of a 5 inch football-shaped fish with big eyes. But, it's still a discus.

[shrimpNewbie]

I'm not looking for an 8" dinner plate I've seen wild discus on a trip and although beautiful i like their tank versions just as much. Feeding isn't a problem I'll be hand feeding all fish besides tetras. How much do discus like live earth worms? How about beef heart and liver?
Think Im going to want a pigeon blood

[Secretninja]

Originally Posted by LB79

They'll be fine with a betta. They might out compete it for food, though, so make sure it gets its share. Discus are total pigs.

Now, mind you, if you're raising discus in a planted tank, you aren't going to get that 8 inch, perfectly round dinnerplate. It'll be more of a 5 inch football-shaped fish with big eyes. But, it's still a discus.

Those are called stunted and are not what you should shoot for.

[shrimpNewbie]

As long as they live a healthy life I don't see a need for them to be 8" I saw pleanty wild adults that were "stunted" yet in a wild black water stream. Beautiful sight I wish I had a under water camera. I had an obsession with them after the trip never ended up getting some because of all the stigma on their care. Again as long as it is happy alone it will receive the best care I can afford, ro water changes and live food are a given. Filtration is ridiculous so I'm not worried there.

Again if I see it not liking it's surroundings I'll give it to someone nearby. I'm not using wood in my tank so should have pleanty of room for it to swim and go through plants

[OVT]

Originally Posted by Secretninja

Those are called stunted and are not what you should shoot for.

Um, and overfeeding them in a bare-bottom hospital-like environment is healthier for them?

[LICfish]

Completely newbie question since I know very little about discus - why do they grow smaller in planted tanks? Sorry don't mean to hijack the thread, just curious.

[lipadj46]

Originally Posted by OVT

Um, and overfeeding them in a bare-bottom hospital-like environment is healthier for them?

LOL, another discus fight thread...

Originally Posted by LICfish

Completely newbie question since I know very little about discus - why do they grow smaller in planted tanks? Sorry don't mean to hijack the thread, just curious.

Search for discus on this site and then go over to simply discus and you will get many opinions. Long story short, they just grow bigger, rounder, faster in a bare bottom tank as you can feed them more while keeping the tank clean with daily water changes.

[shrimpNewbie]

Got a really good offer for a pair of beautiful pigeon bloods but I can't afford it :/ haha cursed bills!!

[OVT]

I'm all for another Discus fight. Just 2 schools of thought duking it out.. once again.