Discus AND Applesnails ? Help please

[nokoto]

Now we all know that discus need low PH in the water

And we also know that snails need a High due to damaging the shells

We aslo know that the discus can take a PH over 7

My question is, odd as it may seem I concern that the snails will go onto the fish at night? when there sleeping

The thing is if I put pebbles in to rase the GH and not the PH is this a way of combining the two and the other thing is that if this is not possiable what type of algae eating animals can I put in with them... that are safe in a planted tank...

Any ideas folks

Many thanks Wayne

[Howie_W]

Hi Wayne,

I like keeping ancistrus(bristlenose) and otocinclus(oto cats) in my planted tanks. It's important that algae eaters, and night dwelling fish have plenty of hiding places and a steady diet to avoid bothering your Discus.



Howie

[jules]

Howie, do the discus try to eat the cats?


Julie

[Howie_W]

Hi Julie,

Oto cats are fast movers...I've never had one eaten. Bristlenose are too big to worry about the Discus trying to eat them. :)


Howie

[jules]

I have a tank with fish and there is a mid size Discus and mid size otos in there. The otos have definitely perked the Discus interest and he is chasing them, but they are certainly fast little buggers.
Will the otos survive in a bb tank with potted plants?

thx,
Julie

[jeep]

Now we all know that discus need low PH in the water

Not true!! They don't need a low PH, they need a STABILE PH...:)

[Howie_W]

I have a tank with fish and there is a mid size Discus and mid size otos in there. The otos have definitely perked the Discus interest and he is chasing them, but they are certainly fast little buggers.
Will the otos survive in a bb tank with potted plants?

thx,
Julie

Julie,

My two cents worth; I would not put otos in a bare bottom tank. I find otos do best in moderate to heavily planted tanks...more hiding places, and higher concentration of algae growth. If you do a search, you'll find that some people have experienced problems with various species of plecos becoming attracted to the Discus slime coat and attaching themselves to their sides.

In a bare bottom with potted plants it helps to also have driftwood placed in the tank as well. In this type of set-up I prefer the bristlenose over the oto cats.


Howie

[tpl*co]

my experience with apple snails is that they can take the conditions but they are fast and eat eggs! I took out all the snails out of my discus tank. I think I've also read that they are a secondary host to parasites too?