new to discus need help

Discussion in 'General Discus discussions' started by eesa, Jul 22, 2013.

  1. eesa

    eesa

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    hi guys i am new to discus and got two on saterday they are now staying with my angelfish but have been told not to keep them toget so am tryin to get a new tank asap but need tips to keep them as i have been told that they are extreamly hard to keep please help
     
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  3. richardnuss

    richardnuss

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    @eesa, do a search for discus, there are loads of things you should know about keeping, feeding and taking care of these guys. You need to keep them in a group of at least 5-6, 50L min each (so about 300L), regular water changes - with stable, dechlorinated, water.

    Feeding is a massive issue too, good quality food, not just bloodworm and tetrabits.

    If possible take these guys back and do some serious homework, else you will end up spending a huge amount of money and have very unhappy fish.

    Don't mean to sound like a damp squid, but too many people have loved and lost when it comes to discus.

    Some of the guys in your area may be able to assist with water parameters etc.
     
    Last edited: Jul 22, 2013
  4. PsyXe

    PsyXe

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    The angel thing is a myth though. Sort of like a fishkeeper-only urban legend. Lots of people keep them together successfully. For a good start on discus, try looking at threads started by @Marco. Like @richardnuss said, they need lots of water changes, and to be in a group of 6 at least. Water changes are the most important. Don't worry about pH, but make sure your tank temperature is high - 30 is good.
     
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  5. dash

    dash

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    Hi. They are not hard to keep if you get the basics correct. You should have know problems. It's not wise to keep 2 discus. They are schooling fish and do much better in groups of 6 or more.

    Angel fish are more competitive for food and may give your discus a hard time. How big is your tank? @Altum and @Marco know lots more than me and should be able to advise you. I just think 2 is not going to work.
     
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  6. OP
    eesa

    eesa

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    k so can the angels also live in the 30 degre water and whatbdoes it mean if one of the discus are scraping on the plants
     
  7. dash

    dash

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    Hi. Make sure you got lots of air in the tank if temp is 30d. It doesn't sound good if a fish is scraping them selves.

    Are they eating?
     
  8. OP
    eesa

    eesa

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    but dont water changers scar them and can i just put normal tap water in the tank or must i use water that was stilled for a few days
     
  9. eros111

    eros111

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    Eesa - you are going to have problems I hate to tell you - do as MUCH research as you can - you are heading for heartache. What size are these fish - you will read that if they are still juveniles that they need feeding 4 to 8 times a day just for starters. NEVERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR EVERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR use normal tap water - you will kill them and all your other fish !!!
     
  10. dash

    dash

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    You can use tap water but use prime first. Also you have to heat water first. You also have to check ph and make sure new water is the same as tank water. Look with all respect I think you need to do some research first before.yoy keep these fish. Do you have another tank? Also, what size are these fish?
     
  11. dash

    dash

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    Sorry @eros111 I never read your post.
     
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  12. OP
    eesa

    eesa

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    k i always put some cemicals in the water they about 5 cm
     
  13. eros111

    eros111

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    I think we both just posted comments at the same time@dash :wink:
     
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  14. dash

    dash

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    What chemical?
     
  15. eros111

    eros111

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    5cm WHAT ????
     
  16. dash

    dash

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    These fish are very small man and need a lot of food Nd a lot of water changes. Look if you can't keep them in there own tank then I think they must go back to the lfs or you are going to have heart Ake.
     
  17. OP
    eesa

    eesa

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    i am not sure but they a meduim sized
     
  18. Biggles

    Biggles

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    I think the main thing is not to panic.
    If you need help you need to answer the questions.

    Basics are:
    Clean water, aged and warm. Tap water has clorine and dissolved air. You will need to get those out. Prime by seachem is recomended for chlorine and having the water stand for a day gets the air out (those bubbles that form on the side of a bucket after you have just pored it?). You should be changing the water out 70% per weak. Research.
    28-30C temp and warm water needs more air as it doesn't hold oxygen well. research.
    Food. Get the discus specific food from pet shop for now. Blood worms help but low in protein. research.

    Tell us what your system is?

    As you stand these fish are not going to be happy. Tough call, bring back to lfs, get 4 more and possibly bigger system.
     
  19. OP
    eesa

    eesa

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    is a bouy system that comes standed with the tank it does put a lot of air in the tank also
     
  20. Biggles

    Biggles

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    How many litres capacity? What temperature? What pH? Temp and pH will have to be monitored with discus.

    I left pH out of the advise I gave as Strand apparently has good water for Discus.
     
  21. OP
    eesa

    eesa

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    well the temperature is 30 and dont know any thing else lol
     

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