Bullying discus and ideal numbers

[Finn]

Hello,

We have a 300litre tank with a selection of fish (2 angels, 6 barbs, 1 pleco and 2 silver sharks). We also have 2 discus - one has recently been ill but is getting better. The smaller discus has grown in the interim period and has become strong and is now constantly bullying the other one. He is preventing the second discus from eating and continually chasing and bothering the second discus. We have a 300litre tank - big enough for all the fish. Does anybody know anything about why the discus has suddenly turned into this bully boy? I am worried that his behaviour will starve the other one. Is there an ideal number of discus to keep? Should I add more discus to the tank - would this help?

We are realtively new to fish keeping but have had no problems thus far.

Any help would be appreciated.Thanks
Finn :D

[Full3R]

My oscars name is finn

Discus prfer to be in schools, if u add several more he may still attack them but since there is more the aggresion will be spread among the hole group so no serious harm will be done

[cottrill1951]

discus are better in there own tank with six or more ,this spreads out the pecking order and helps the fish who is on the receiving end to have a rest from time to time

[Fishguy2727]

What kind of barbs? What kind of pleco? What kind of 'silver sharks'? depending on what kind all these are exactly they may or may not be fine in there. In general I would not keep angels with discus, but since they are already there just keep a good eye on everyone. Discus do not need to be in there own tank with no other types of fish, in fact it is good to have a school of tetras in there as dithers to help the discus feel secure. In general it would be better to add more discus. What filtration do you have? What water change schedule? What do you feed?

[Beth_S]

Discus will do much better in bigger groups...... IME.... no less than 6 to a group....

If you choose to add more to your tank........ they should be qt'd for 6 weeks if all looks well, add one of the other Discus you already have to the qt and keep a close eye on them for a few days....... then if all look ok.... add them to the big tank.

I would also......... decide which fish I'd prefer to keep.... whether it's Discus or the other fish that you already have in the tank.........

Here are a few fish that can be housed with Discus....... these can take the warmer more acidic type waters......

rummy nose tetra
cardinal tetra
bushy nose plecos
corys
rams
angelfish.... some say yes some say no...... I've had it both ways....... some angels are more aggressive then others.

HTH

Beth