Can I do discus in a 20g Hex???

[cranfordrd]

I have been keeping community tanks for many years however I have always been a discus lover! I just got a 20g hex and although I know this is really not large enough I was hoping..... maybe..... I could keep 2 discus in it? I would be willing to keep one but thought that would be too difficult on the discus. I am doing my research but wAnted to ask this before I went crazy planning, researching etc. The tank has to cycle so I have quite few weeks within which I can decide what to get. The tank will have a Fluval 204 running for filtration and I am very good about water changes, I change at least 25%/ week in the other tanks and this one is next to the kitchen (in the dining room, rather quiet place) but close to sink so more frequent changes are easy.

[lkleung007]

Hi Cranfordrd,

I personally would not recommend keeping Discus in a tank that size. Remember an adult Discus can grow to 7-8 inches from head to start of the tail and really need more room than a 20 gallon can provide. IMO, a Discus larger than 3-3.5 inches should be kept in a tank no smaller than a 55 gallon (which is 4 ft long).

HTH, Lester

[Carol_Roberts]

No.

You really need a 55 gallon for happy discus. Read through this site to learn how to keep discus successfully.

A good start would be 6 juveniles discus from a reputable source placed in a 55 gallon bare tank with a cycled filter and heater.

[RandalB]

I have sucessfully kept 4 discus in a 35 Gallon Planted hex. But I think a 20 Hex is too small.

JMO,
RandalB

[cranfordrd]

Thanks, I guess Discus will not be finding their way into my home, I have no room for another tank and just got the 20 hex, on my way to look for a different fish.

[Very Fishy]

I currently have 4 discus in a 35 G hex barebottom. I would not recommend going any smaller than that. In fact I will eventually want to upgrade to a larger tank as I am itching to get more discus but my tank cannot handle any more at this time. :-\