How many Juveniles in a 29?

[NickK]

I am setting up 2 new 29 gal tanks to raise some jeveniles - which whill hopefully grow up and pair off. With an Aqua Clear 300 and a couple of sponges (with good water changes), how many fish can I grow out in these tanks. The reason I am putting in new tanks, is because I want to keep only 1 strain per tank. Thanks for the advice,

Nick

[Discusgeo]

We need to know the size of the Discus you plan to put in there first! I only keep 1 breeding pair per tank. If they are small Discus you are still going to need a larger tank as they grow older so their growth is not stunted. I would only keep 4 Discus no larger than 4 inches in there.
George

[NickK]

George,
I am going to buy 1.5-2" fish. I want to grow them out in that tank. I don't have a larger tank to move them to, yet. Could 4 of them grow to adult size in the 29? How many can live there until they pair off?

Thanks,
Nick

i think you can safely raise 6-8 juvies in a bb tank that size w/ 80-100% WC's daily. After they get to be about 4" i'd cull to 4-6" and sell the others off or better yet move them to another tank for yourself. Due to disease infestation and the need to break down tanks, I've kept 9 discus (2 juvies, 7 adults) in a 29 for the past 2 months and just did huge WC's every day and the little fish still grew like weeds. Way overstocked...yes...but it can be done.

Brad

[Carol_Roberts]

Why raise them seperate. I'd get a 29 and a 55 now. Grow 10 babies out together, then get more 29's for breeders.

Carol :heart1:

[NickK]

Thanks. But I still need a recommendation answer to my current situtation. Breeding aside, I just set up a 29 gal tank. How many 2" fish can grow out in this tank, without ever needing a bigger tank. I know people say a pair to a 29, but I also know discus like #s. I have a brand new tank almost ready, should I purchase 2, 3, or maybe 4?

[lkleung007]

Hi Nikk;

I did pretty much what you did with a group of juveniles. I put 9 juveniles (size ranging from 2-3 inches) in a 29 gallon and then in 6-8 weeks transferred them to a larger 55 gallon tank once they had reached about 3.5-4 inches. IMO I would not keep a Discus that is greater than 3.5 inches in a tank smaller than 40 gallons capacity (that's without the plants, driftwood, etc.).

If you are going the go with the smaller 29 gallon tank; I would do water changes 40-50% twice a day; since you will be feeding them heavy to get good growth. Smaller juvenile Discus seem to do well in a smaller tank so that they can find food easier and may feel more secure with other Discus nearby.

HTH;
Lester

[DarkDiscus]

NickK,

If your question is how many discus you can grow from 2" to maturity in a 29 gallon tank without ever moving the fish to a bigger tank, I would say 2. If this is the ONLY way you can do things, but 4 of each strain and sell off or dispose of the others as the fish develop. It is a REALLY tough way to come by a pair of fish.

HTH,

John

[NickK]

Thanks. This will be my first attempt with discus. If I buy 4, what are the chances I will get a pair. Am I just looking for a male and a female, or are they picky about dating? Statistically, how good are the chances?

Nick

The odds of getting at least one male and one female out of a group of fish are as follows:

1 fish - 0%
2 fish - 50%
3 fish - 75%
4 fish - 88%
5 fish - 94% etc.

This doesn't mean that they will necessarily decide to breed.

Dave

[NickK]

I'm sorry, I meant what are the chances I would end up with a breeding pair.

[DarkDiscus]

NickK,

I can tell you that when I have tried to breed different species of cichlids I have most often gone with 6 fish. I've done this probably 100 times. I would say that 90 out of 100 times I have come up with at least one pair. This is not to say that they are successful breeders or stick together after one spawning, but I have at least had a male/female pair.

I have gone with 4 fish about 10 times. Out of those fish I've gotten a pair 50% of the time.

(I have also gone with 3 fish once and ended up with my BD discus pair! ;D)

The point is, you are a lot better with more fish when you want to come up with a pair. Plus it's good to have some reserve fish should you get egg eaters or temperamental fish.

John

PS. 4 would be the minimum I would ever try with cichlids unless I either saw a pair spawning in person or if the cichlid species in question exhibited specific sexual characteristics.

I'd get more then 4 fish. The odds of all 4 fish making it to adulthood and being suitable for breeding is slim to begin with, let alone having the right sexes. And no one can tell you what the odds are of a M/F pair deciding to breed, and then to successfully breed. That small a group will inevitably have more aggression then a larger group and that leads to runts & deaths. But a 29g isn't going to allow you to growout any more fish then 4. So I'd get 6-8 small Discus and keep the nicest 4 but plan on a larger tank and use the 29 as a breeder. IMO beginning with Discus with the goal of developing a breeding pair out of your first small group of Discus is unlikely to happen. Just learn to care for the fish for now.

Dave

[NickK]

Good advice. Thanks guys. I am just trying to absorb as much info from this place as possible before I buy any fish. Thanks so much.

Nick