need stocking suggestions for 75 gallon discus tank

aoscar

aoscar

big cichlids rule
Feb 16, 2007
345
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grand rapids, michigan
ok , I just picked up a 75 g for 100 bucks, was planning on saltwater but after doing the research I don't really have the time to learn it, so I decided on a heavily planted discus tank, I was thinking 3 or 4 plus an angel or two and a couple dwarf gouramis. so what would be good for the schooling fish I also plan on some cories for the cleaning crew, so how about some tiger barbs and zebra dianios, mabey some black skirt tetras? how many, or what other schooling fish are suggested, I am setting up a 150 g oscar/ jag tank this weekend and am anxious to start my next project, I will be adding the schooling fish first with SOME plants then adding more plants and mabey an angel
then the discus last. I have never kept discus so I could also us e some filtration advice I was thinking 2 magnum 350's. I already have 1 . thanks in advance.


p.s. I expect some info from jim1212!!!
as these seem to be your speciality.
 
Avoid the tiger barbs and danios. Tiger barbs are in general nippy and your angels and discus won't like that. Danios are quite fast fish and such activity will often frighten the discus. Both cichlids are best kept with tetras and cories. I hope you are well aware of the disadvantages behind mixing discus and angels.
 
Angels are more voracious eaters and can outcompete the Discus for food. I've heard many times that its best not to mix the 2.
 
Good point, Kristin. I know for sure that my angel would outcompete my discus for food- it's a very aggressive eater! Also, I've been told that angels can sometimes carry a parasite that is fatal to discus. I don't know how true that is, though. My angel and my 4 discus are in separate tanks.
 
i would go with 4-5 discus (if you can afford it!!), and some medium-sized tetras like emperors or kerry-blue tetras. a small school of cories should work as clean-up.
have you considered a freshwater stingray as a tankmate?
 
Rummynose tetras and Cardinal Tetras make good Discus tankmates. Remember, not all fish can take the high temperatures that Discus need. ;)
 
hmmm odd..or maybe my discus are odd..but they are surviving well with a wild scalare.

discus are not as reserved as many believe and in nature are often found with angels.

the big issue is spawning and possible parasites that angels tend to carry(camillanus and capillaria)

what I have found is if you mix the two species you need to be aware of 'possible' issues and have the ability to act on them.

but angels can be raised with discus.

the real issue you face is stock levels..discus do best in schools and in a 75 you should place 6-7 in there..that may cause space issues in the tank to add angels.

figure 10 gal minumum for discus and 6 you have 60 gallons spoken for add some cardinal tetras and you are getting close to stock level.

but ultimately the choice is yours..
oh you are aware of water quality issues with young discus??

you ng need to be fed 3-4 meals aday and the water needs to be cleaned of any un eaten food..so you will most likely be doing small water changes every day(10 gallons or so) or larger changes every other day.

the plants will help with that..but the rule in a planted tank..discus don't get as large.
;)

mine are at 6"
 
I hear rummynose and cardinal are good tetras that tolerate the higher temperatures well. A yoyo loach does as well, but I found he was to fast and bothered my discus so I gave him to my gf. I have ghost shrimp, and they are excellent bottom feeders and eat the left over brine, blood worms, pellets, etc. Plenty of hiding for them, and they're fun to watch too. Most cories do not do well at higher temperatures, I believe steban's cory(sp?) is one of the better ones suited for high temp discus tank. Many recommend bristlenose plecos for algae cleaning, such as an albino one which I am looking into.
 
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