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Have been given a 45gal(48,18,12)mature set up and am looking to set it up with a mixture of discus cichlids, if poss wpould like to put some gold or oddessa barbs in with them. Is this an option? Any replies would be gratefully recieved

Chris,

I would suggest cardinal or rummy nose tetras in a school of 6 to 8 fish as dither fish. You might consider bolivian, butterfly or gold rams for the lower levels of the tank and possibly hatchet fish at the top of the tank. These fish are roughly from the same biotope as discus and will play well together.

__________
"To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research."
researched from Steven Wright

Both oddessas and goldies should do fine. I had trouble with cardinals (and of other fish in roughly the same size range) and ingestion, but from what I hear, it's not a very common occurence.

Last edited by Cup_of_Lifenoodles at 15-Feb-2005 21:58

thanks for the info guys, was wondering which would be better in a 45gal a single pair or two, have been looking around online and diff sources recommend both any ideas?

Discus are social fish IME. Two is always better than one.

Last edited by Cup_of_Lifenoodles at 18-Feb-2005 12:08

Discus are a VERY social fish. My minimum recommendation is 5 fish. The greater number of fish reduces aggression. This species is a typical cichlid that establishes a establishes a hierarchy in groups. The dominant fish will change over time. However, it is necessary to defuse the aggression by increasing the number of fish.

I would purchase 7 small fish (2 inch, not including tails) to stock the aquarium. The fish will have different rates of growth and personality. Check with your local fish club to find if there are any breeders in your area. Breeders will sell that size fish for $10 to $20. Your LFS may sell that size fish for $60 or more.

Send me a PM for reputable breeders or importers in your area.

__________
"To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research."
researched from Steven Wright

has anyone ever kept an oscar in a discus tank? i was wondering if that might work, or if the oscar would pollute the water too much for the discus

Oscars are FAR too agressive to be kept with discus, IMO. The discus may never get to eat! And may be stressed out by the oscar's antics. It's not so much the water quality as compatibility. Discus are just too delicate to even consider keeping with a big mean fish like an oscar. Plus if you do have smallish schooling fish in there, once the oscar is big enough they are going to be snacks.

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i was thinking of a tank w/ 3 discus and an oscar, and then like 3 pictus catfish, a black ghost knife and maybe some rams or something. was just an idea. nothing done yet. don't even have a tank big enough for that atm.

resist the urge to put more than just discus in there, 55 gal with 7 discus and a school of tetras (cardinal/neon) heavily planted with good filtration and you got an awesome setup

Max,

Oscars are great fish but they do not mix well with discus. Decide which centerpiece fish that you want.

__________
"To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research."
researched from Steven Wright