What's the best temp. for discus???

[jeep]

I see a wide range of temps that people use in keeping discus. Some at 82, some as high as 90.

When I ordered my discus from Gabe Pasoda, he told me to raise the temp. in my tank to 88 degrees for 2 weeks and then turn it down to 82 for life (barring illness). The reasons he stated are that the higher temp. in the beginning will help raise metabolism and ensure a good transition.

However, he also said to keep the tank at 82 because even though the higher temp will make your fish grow faster, it will also shorten their life span by several years.

Just curious as to WHY some maintain a higher temp...

[Bladerunner]

Hi,

Not sure what the concensus in the states is but on our side of the water (UK), the recommended temp by all the key breeders is 86 degrees farenheit. 30 degrees celcius.


Hope that helps,

BR

[jklnbrg]

I've always kept mine at 30 degrees Celsius. Once every 8 weeks I would slowly raise the tank temps to 35 over a few days then back to 30 over another few days. (remember, my best info comes from mid to late 80's knowledge in Germany. I'm learnign new things every day on here! :D

John

[EthanCote.com]

Hi John,

Higher heat is normally used for the following reasons:

1. As Gabe suggested, for easier transition from shippment to getting them relax in your tank, and also encourages hungry.

2. As heat treatment, alot of internal parasites have been known to be killed by high heat such as Hex.

3. To encourage your fish to eat when they have stopped.


I suggest you stop doing the heat fluctuation every 8 weeks, unless you are doing it for a specific reason. But having said that, to each his own, if your method seems to work, then more power to you. Apparently there is more way than one to raising successful Discus.

But the above reasons are why one would raise temperature in their tank.

HTH.


Cheers,

Chi.

[Jeff]

My fish enjoy a toasty 86 all the time . If I need to add salt for any reason I'll raise it to 88.

[keno]

My adults are at 83 and my growouts are at 87. works for me. I think as with ph discus can thrive in a wide range say from 80-90.

Ken

[korbi_doc]

:bounce2: :bounce2: OK, everyone, I've been keeping my youngsters @ 86-87*. Sounds like I ought to drop it to 84?? Is that the concensus?? Or 82?? Even my new baby rams are @86.4 today & doing ok, but I will do an overall decrease if its called for. I hadn't asked Gabe that one. lol, Dottie ::) ::) ::)

[EthanCote.com]

Hi Dottie,

For youngsters, they are best kept at 86F until they are close to maturity then you can lower it to 82 slowly.

That is what I have heard anyhow. And that is how I am keeping my tanks at and they seem to be doing quite well (errr except for one fish, but that is a totally different story).


Cheers,

Chi.

[darcy]

Well my pair's are at 84 and 82 and I don't see much difference between those two temps. All my little guys are at 86.
Darcy

[allan_mark76]

88 for the juvys.

84-86 for the adults.

A-

[korbi_doc]

:balloon: So guess I'm ok for the time being. thanx guys, Dottie ;D ;D ;D

[Dennis_Hardenburge]

eggs, wigglers, fry, grow out, adults 83 degrees
oh I forgot ageing barrells 83

[liz]

Hello I was interested in the wide range of tempertures.I am in Scotland and most people here keep their temps lower.Mine are at 84 deg and doing fine.When I got them from the shop their temp was 80deg.I have heard of some recomending 78deg which I personally think is too low.

[Steve_Warner]

Hi all,
Jeep, for throwing or fish? ;D J/K I keep my kids at 85/86. They seem to do well in this temp range.

Steve

[mikeos]

Hi all

Most UK breeders/specialist dealers seem to go with 30c 86f, same for most people i know.

If the fish are doing Ok & behaving like Discus should why worry? just dont let it drop too far (IMO <82f).

82-84F

[rfidiscus]

We keep our fish at 84-88. Average temp is kept at 86. I have found that lower than 82 and you are asking for trouble such as internal parisites etc. We have always kept the temp at this 86 range and have fish that are 12 years old, so I don't know about the live shortening aspect. In other species of fish that are not genetically fit for the higher temps it will definitely shorten there lives. Also the higher temp really encourages growth... I have had numerous guest to our facilities as of late and they all have said they can't believe how big most of our fish are. Adults usually end up in the 7-8+ inch size.

[stewarts_inc]

hey all' :D
In my shops i try to keep the tanks at 28-30 degrees and by lowering the temp turns on breeding efforts.

[jeep]

Looks to be the same as before the question was asked. What ever is best for you!!!

I keep mine at 82 only because that's what Gabe said and they seem fine and have never even had a runny nose. They also grew out to almost adult size within 6 months.

To be more specific, Gabe said (if I remember correctly) that a Discus can live up to 14 - 15 years and a higher temp can reduce the life span by 2-4 years.

[Lewjo11]

I am setting up my tank. I bought a 90 gal. I have 2 filters on that can handle 90 gal and one up to 70gal. And a sponge filter. Maybe I messed up. I added 2 3 inch discuss from a home breeder after they were 10 months old. Will they grow? And 2 days later got a 2 inch and a 1inch. May water is always foggy. I do 1 to 2 10 gal. Bucket water changes a day and feed them 3 to 4 times a day. Temp is 83.5. why is my water foggy? Also today my tank shows signs of ammonia ..1.0.

[ScottW]

I am setting up my tank. I bought a 90 gal. I have 2 filters on that can handle 90 gal and one up to 70gal. And a sponge filter. Maybe I messed up. I added 2 3 inch discuss from a home breeder after they were 10 months old. Will they grow? And 2 days later got a 2 inch and a 1inch. May water is always foggy. I do 1 to 2 10 gal. Bucket water changes a day and feed them 3 to 4 times a day. Temp is 83.5. why is my water foggy? Also today my tank shows signs of ammonia ..1.0.

Did you cycle your tank? You need to up your water changes if you have ammonia. Do at least 50%, I have 7 discus in my tank that isn't cycled yet and I do 80-90% water changes daily and vacuum the bottom once a day also.

[Larry Bugg]

I added 2 3 inch discuss from a home breeder after they were 10 months old. Will they grow? And 2 days later got a 2 inch and a 1inch.

No, not very much at all. They are already stunted. at 10 months old they should be at least 5".

[White Worm]

Do yourself a big favor and take a few days and do some reading and research in the "sticky's" here on simply. You have created a recipe for disappointment. Look at what "NOT" to buy and the basics of keeping discus (The site moderator has a good video). Foggy water is bacterial bloom because your tank is not cycled. The good thing is that it sounds like you started with good equipment and tank size. You may want to start your own post also because this one is 15 years old and we are talking about more than temp here.

[CliffsDiscus]

Hi Mike,
I raise my fry at 86 this is for faster growthrate,
and the young adults are at 82 for longer life span
and cheaper electric cost.

Cliff

[eros111]

Those babies of yours also need to get fed every 3- 4 hours to grow them out properly at the higher temps