Largest tank needed for a discus?

[debbie51975]

Hi all, just wondering what size tank one would need for discus and if they would be considered 'high maintenance'?

[Northernguy]

They are high maintenence fish.
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I suggest you do a lot of research before attempting a discus tank.

[Discus_Dude]

Re: Tank Size

You will most likely get a lot of different answers depending on experience levels, but I would recommend a minimum of five discus allowing 1Discus/10Gallons of water or 55Gallon minimum tank size allowing them sufficient space to grow out or come in as adults. (IMO up to 4" would be juvenille and over would be sub adult to adult) The smaller the size, the less expensive they are depending on source and quality. Be sure to research reviews on the seller/breeder before purchasing.

Let's say you were buying all two inch. You could probably buy 7-8 for a 55G allowing for potential losses given juvenilles are more prone to illness rather than at the sub adjult/adult stage.

Re: High Maintenance

Compaired to the typcial tropical fish aquarium they do require more frequent water changes and more frequent feedings (3-5 times a day) to maintain good water quality. For example, Water changes at 50% two or three times a week. This is definitely dependant on your feeding schedule and stocking levels as well as if you plan on having a heavily planted tank.

I would recommend a bare bottom tank for ease of cleaning if this is your first experience with Discus; especially, if you decide to go with juvenilles. This will also help limit the chances of illness and maintaining good water quality. By the time they grow-out, you will have a routine down and can add substrate and decorations within a year. Just my two cents though.

So yes, they do require more work, but it's managable and well worth it in my opinion. Discus are definitely personable and a very unique experience. Their breeding and parenting process is tremendously rewarding to watch and enjoy.

Hope this helps!

[Lady Hobbs]

What size tank are you thinking of having a Discus? Discus should be specie only tanks with perhaps some cardinals.

[debbie51975]

I haven't actually thought about it in detail. I've considered it. My goals= 1. Several species specific tanks 2. Start a salt-water 3. Get lucky enough to find a deal on decent size tank (meaning 200 or greater).

Obviously it's gonna be a while, I have several tanks, just too small for a discus. Just, before I get into such a large undertaking, I need to make sure it's a fish I can actually fit into my schedule. There's no room for error. I think they're stunning. I first saw them on you tube, believe it or not! I swear I gotta stop watching the videos....it's so bad for my fish addiction...Especially when I see something I just GOTTA have, but I know I'm not ready for! It will be a while. Discus is a long term plan. I'm just trying to do my homework. And like I've said on other posts...I just can't seem to get the right info from the teenage sales clerks at the pet store! Even books can be contradictory (sp? I hate spelling!). First hand experience seems the better route.

[Discus_Dude]

I haven't actually thought about it in detail. I've considered it. My goals= 1. Several species specific tanks 2. Start a salt-water 3. Get lucky enough to find a deal on decent size tank (meaning 200 or greater).

Obviously it's gonna be a while, I have several tanks, just too small for a discus. Just, before I get into such a large undertaking, I need to make sure it's a fish I can actually fit into my schedule. There's no room for error. I think they're stunning. I first saw them on you tube, believe it or not! I swear I gotta stop watching the videos....it's so bad for my fish addiction...Especially when I see something I just GOTTA have, but I know I'm not ready for! It will be a while. Discus is a long term plan. I'm just trying to do my homework. And like I've said on other posts...I just can't seem to get the right info from the teenage sales clerks at the pet store! Even books can be contradictory (sp? I hate spelling!). First hand experience seems the better route.


Kudos to you Debbie for doing your research! It's a very important first step with discus to prevent illness or fatalities. My advice is to keep reading and researching.... here's an article that I found very helpful when I was first getting started:

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I hope it helps you as much as it did me. Anytime you have any questions, I'd be glad to help.

PS: once you get through the first six months and have a routine and experienced some of the ups and downs...it's much more smooth sailing after that IMO.

[jestep]

I wouldn't even consider less than 75g. I couldn't imagine being able to keep healthy discus in a 55g unless you're doing 50% water changes daily. Apart from that, they're territorial, so the more space the less stress on everyone.

Ideally 150+ for a Discus community tank. A 75 with 5 Discus and some tetras tends to be very high maintenance, whereas 7 Discus and a school of tetras in a 150 is low maintenance. If I were going to start a Discus community tank right now, I would probably go for 200 - 300.

[lobsternoob]

I have to agree with most of what both jestep and discus_dude are saying. I personally wouldn't want to keep discus in smaller than a 75g. The stock you get will make a very big difference, some discus are much more fragile than others. I successfully kept them for quite a few years when I was younger, and never kept them in smaller than a 75g tank, I'm sure it is perfectly possible to go smaller, but just as always a larger tank makes for typically more stable water conditions and less territory problems. They are after all cichlids, and can be much more aggressive than their looks would make you think.

I typically HATE bare bottomed aquariums, but as discus_dude said at first it would be a really good idea and will make your life much easier if you can deal with looking at it, also breeding them is much simpler in a bare bottomed tank. Regular WC's and vacuuming it (yes even without substrate) will be your best friend. When doing WC's temp matching the water is IME very important. They are easily stressed by quick temp changes of even a few degrees, and a stressed discus is quite susceptible to complications.

That being said I really don't think discus are as difficult to keep as many people believe. They most certainly are not fish you can just toss in a tank and forget about, but as long as you are consistent and attentive in your tank maintenance you should be fine. If you do wind up trying them and lose a few don't get too discouraged. A lot of it really comes down to good stock too, investing a few more bucks in discus that are from a good breeder may actually save you money in the long run. I got a pair about 14 years back at the Steinhardt aquarium in San Francisco during an auction/raffle/talk hosted by Jack Wattley when he and Bernd Degen released the book "Discus Today" that actually proved to be quite hardy fish. Unfortunately I later wound up having to sell them when we moved. I still have the book though LOL and it makes me drool every time I page through it.

You are already off to a good start, researching and asking questions so far ahead of even having a tank for them is certainly smart.

[Discus_Dude]

Actually, given the question is what is the largest tank needed...go with a 300 gallon tank :hmm3grin2orange: becasue you'll fall in love with your discus and want more and more. :1luvu:

[lobsternoob]

Sorry Discus_Dude gotta 1 up you, seriously if its the largest tank needed I'd go 50k+ gallons, because I feel I need a few tanks of that size for discus and other fish. I know that's totally not helpful to the OP, sorry, just couldn't help it.:hmm3grin2orange:

[jestep]

Sorry Discus_Dude gotta 1 up you, seriously if its the largest tank needed I'd go 50k+ gallons, because I feel I need a few tanks of that size for discus and other fish. I know that's totally not helpful to the OP, sorry, just couldn't help it.:hmm3grin2orange:

I've actually tried to figure out how to make a really large tank (more like a pond) for discus and other peaceful S. Americans. I would love to see even a 10k+ amazon habitat.

Here's a few of my favorite discus tanks. These are all pretty ridiculous:
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