Ten is company, four is a crowd

[Cermet]

When my ten little discus grew up, I needed to separate them for room so I put four adults (all blues) in one 75 gal, and six (tigers and yellows) in another 75 gal - the idea that discus can be in schools no smaller than six has really been shown to be true in spades to me.
My six are doing great together - no fighting, no area issues and no one is picked on - complete harmony.
My four blues are not getting along at all - two have paired off (tried laying eggs once and are still acting like they want too) and guard the whole tank as their own and terrorize the remaining two discus. I will have to get separators soon (or bite the bullet and convert the community 75 gal to a discus tank.)
Can’t say live and learn on this problem because I knew this issue could develop but I wanted the blues to pair off – they have but now the rule is really hitting home.
Discus – six or more works; fewer does not unless they are a pair.

[Cliff]

Sounds like a good enough reason to get another tank to me :hmm3grin2orange:

I wish I knew more about discus, I've always wanted to give them a try some day

[Lady Hobbs]

I would also think sexes that are together would be just as important. I mean, 3 males and 1 females would not be a great match either and why you have problems with breeding now. They sound like angels!

[Cermet]

Of course, when I got home today they breed and I have eggs on the breeding cone :19: - while I have done the classic - daily changes 50-80%; and drop the temp, I thought it would take a lot more than two try's (first one a few days ago the male eat the eggs.) This time they have a large cluster. I'll post pictures in another thread. Go figure since I'm not ready but fish wait for no one.