What is the
minimum tank size
for discus fish?
As a general rule, a single discus fish requires at least 50 gallons of tank size in order to thrive. For each additional discus you plan to keep, add another 5 to 10 gallons of tank capacity – and don’t forget to factor in the other fish you plan to keep in your discus community tank.
How long does it take to cycle a discus tank?
Time is the true way of doing it properly though, and it will take up to six months for your filters to be 100% fully mature. Within six eight weeks you could add discus to a new tank, but there is another way to add them quicker if you follow some close instructions, and know what you are doing.
Do discus really need
daily water changes
?
Although all
tropical fish aquariums
require regular water changes, discus aquariums in specific need frequent water changes For this reason, you should change your discus’
aquarium water
at least once a week. Some people change 20 to 25% of their aquarium’s water two to three times a week.
Why are discus so hard to keep?
Tank mates must meet two criteria: they should be able to live in high temperatures and they cannot outcompete the discus for food. In general, discus are slow feeders , so if you put them with speedy, bullet-shaped fish (like barbs or even huge schools of tetras), the discus will tend to lose that race.
What size tank do I need for 2 discus?
Discus grow to be quite large and require an aquarium of 75 gallons or larger when full grown.
Can I keep discus in 100 Litre tank?
You will require a heater equal to 1W per litre, meaning a tank of 100 litres will require a 100W heater The tank needs to be covered and a hood is a good idea, make sure the lighting fitted in it is powerful enough for the tank.
Can I keep a single discus?
Discus cichlids don’t like to be alone , but each fish needs at least ten gallons of water to survive; therefore, a pair of adult discus fish need, at minimum, a 20-gallon tank. A pair of young discus fish can thrive in a 15-gallon tank, but they will outgrow it as they mature.
How do I know if my tank is cycled?
After testing your aquarium water for ammonia and nitrite and nitrate, if the reading shows 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, and some nitrates then your fish tank is cycled. Cycling a new tank usually takes between four to six weeks. Cycling your fish tank can take a long time.
Should I do a water change while my tank is cycling?
While not essential, we recommend water changes during cycling , although opinions differ. Since bacteria live on surfaces, removing water does not disrupt their development. Water changes can help control the amount of ammonia in the first stage of the aquarium’s life.
Do you need a filter to cycle a tank?
Once your tank is set up, you want to keep any electrical equipment, such as heaters, bubblers and filters, switched on throughout the cycling process Doing so encourages the beneficial bacteria to grow and may even make your tank cycle faster.
How long does it take for discus to grow full size?
The growth rate from 2 ½ inch to 4 inch keeping the fish in a small aquarium will only take four more months. If I were to raise the same fish in 100 gallon tanks there growth rate would be cut in half, and it would take eight months to a year to get up to the same 4 inch size.
At what size do discus start breeding?
Selecting a Breeding Pair Because discus fish are difficult to sex while they are still young, you may need to wait until the fish mature and they may naturally pair off on their own. Female discus fish reach sexual maturity at 12 months of age, while males take a few months more to mature.
Is it easy to breed discus?
Summary Recap. The above formula was always necessary with wild caught Discus, but with domestic raised Discus, often it can be much easier to induce spawning in a well-mated pair of Discus Remember to give them the correct water conditions, and a well-planted aquarium, which is large enough for their needs.
How do you maintain pH in a discus tank?
You should add a buffer to keep the pH of your RO water stable We recommend use of two products in combination: Discus Buffer and Neutral Regulator. These give you the flexibility needed to maintain pH below 7.0. Also, a good digital pH monitor is recommended for all Discus keepers.
Can you keep discus in tap water?
The fish are bred in soft-water, but raised in German tap water and have been so since 1966. You can of course if you live in a soft water area or want to use RO water also keep them in soft water. Stendker Discus will acclimatise to any ph between 5 and 8, 7 to 7. 5 is perfect.
Can I have 2 discus?
Unlike the tetras it is a good move to add at least six discus at the same time The reason as already stated is the problems with discus in small numbers; also if you add them at the same time they can sort out a pecking order and settle down.
How long should you wait before putting fish in a new tank?
Filling Your New Aquarium. After purchasing your new aquarium, make sure to set it up, add water, substrate and plants and allow it to settle for at least 24 – 48 hours before adding fish. Once you’ve got your aquarium set up, you’ll be ready to choose which fish will populate your tank.
What fish can you have with discus?
- German Ram (Mikrogeophagus ramirezi) .
- Kuhli Loach (Pangio kuhlii) .
- Bolivian Ram (Mikrogeophagus altispinosus) .
- Sterbai Cory (Corydoras Sterbai) .
- Tetras (Characidae) .
- Apistogramma (genus) .
-
siamese algae eater
(Crossocheilus oblongus) . - Malaysian Trumpet Snail / MTS (Melanoides tuberculata)
How much ammonia is in a discus tank?
It is recommended you maintain the following conditions in your aquariums: Temperature: 26 to 30°C pH: 6.0 to 7.5 Ammonia: 0mg/l (0.02mg/l may be tolerated for short periods) Nitrite: 0mg/l (0.2mg/l may be tolerated for short periods) Hardness: soft to moderately hard (0 to 12°dH) Discus belong to the genus Symphysodon.
How often do discus fish breed?
This stage requires patience and careful monitoring. When and if the discus spawn in this stage, they will lay eggs every week for up to fifteen weeks. This cycle usually occurs twice a year and can be rigged with careful adjustment of feeding, temperature and water conditions.
How many babies do discus have?
The females will position their breeding tube against the surface and lay up to 400 tiny eggs Larger females will lay more eggs, and smaller females will lay less.
How much do discus breeders make?
Since average spawns will typically yield a few dozen fish, a successful breeding pair will yield a few thousand dollars in sales every few months, this is why true proven breeding pairs are so expensive. A hobbyist with a few breeding pairs can easily earn up to $10,000 every two months breeding discus.
How many discus should be kept together?
3-5 discus should be doable in a 55gal aquarium as long as water changes are kept up with. A general rule you can follow is one discus per 10 gallons.
Can Plecos live with discus?
Bristlenose Plecos, Zebra Plecos and Orange Spot Plecos stay quite small and actually make great tank mates for Discus Although Dristlenoses are often reported to prefer cooler temperatures, Discus keepers have found they will tolerate Discus temperatures as long as things don’t get too toasty.
Can you keep discus in a 60 gallon tank?
Therefore, if we are talking about a 60-gallon tank, you can only fit 1 royal red discus fish into it These guys require the water to be between 79 and 86 degrees, with a pH level between 6.1 and 7.5.
Do discus fish like to hide?
Discus are shy and become easily agitated. They prefer to have little intrusion in their tank. Although the discus like plenty of plants to hide in , they should be plants that require little upkeep so that you will not need to disrupt them frequently. They also do not like bright lights or noise.
How many discus are in a 200 Litre tank?
Stocking your aquarium The fact of the matter is that Discus, especially smaller ones do better and feel more secure in big groups. In Europe, the German Veterinary Association for Animal Protection recommends a maximum of 45 x 8cm Discus per 180 litres , or 12 x 15cm per 180 litres.
How many discus Can I put in a 55 gallon tank?
55-gallons with once per week water changes Discus fish stock levels can be 15 to 18 adults , or once per month cleaning 5 to 6 adults.
How many times a day should I feed my discus?
The question we are asked most often is, “What do you feed your discus, and how often do you feed them.” Discus enjoy a varied diet consisting of high-quality nutrients, but they also like their goodies. Adult discus are fed twice daily, and younger fish are fed three times a day or more.
Can angelfish go with discus?
If you have a freshwater angelfish, you can put the discus fish in with the angelfish Discus fish are most comfortable in soft water (0 dH to 3 dH) at a temperature of 77 degrees Fahrenheit to 84 degrees Fahrenheit and pH of 6.0 to 6.5.
What is new tank syndrome?
‘New Tank Syndrome’ is a term used to describe problems that occur due to the build-up of invisible, toxic compounds in an aquarium It gets its name as the issue is most likely to occur when your filter is maturing when starting a new aquarium.
Does green algae mean my tank is cycled?
At some point in the process, you’ll notice the beginnings of life in your sterile tank, in the form of an algae bloom. This is a sign that the cycle is nearing completion – there are enough nitrates in the tank to support algae. Get your water tested; either do it yourself, or have your LFS test it.
What are some signs of ammonia stress in a tank?
- Lethargy.
- Loss of appetite.
- Hovering at the bottom of the tank (especially for surface dwelling fish)
- Gasping at the surface.
- Inflamed gills.
- Red streaks or inflammation in the fins.
- Inflamed eyes or anus.