Tankmates for display tank?

[Octavio Salles]

So I'm building a 47 x 24 x 22 - 100 gallon display tank. This will have driftwood, no plants, dim light to mimic natural conditions, thin sand substrate and fallen leaves at the bottom. Most or all of the decorations will be picked from a nearby pristine rainforest, and treated before placing in the tank. The tank will be connected to a drip system (constant water change) dripping 30 gallons of water daily. I can increase this if needed. Filtration is going to be with a large HOB filter (Tetra EX 70) and another smaller one (EX 30), this one only with ceramic rings. Both will have sponges at the intakes for near daily cleaning if needed. Water temperature will be 82º F, with a slightly acid pH.

Now the stocking I plan:

7 wild Symphysodon aequifasciatus "Inanu red" large or extra large from WB Sabby.
15 Hyphessobrycon callistus (Serpae Tetra)
20 Hemigrammus rhodostomus (Rummy Nose)
8 Corydoras arcuatus, though I'm not sure they would do well in 82º F. I might go for C. sterbai instead.

What do you think? I'm specially concerned with the Corydoras at this moment.

[DiscusBR]

So I'm building a 47 x 24 x 22 - 100 gallon display tank. This will have driftwood, no plants, dim light to mimic natural conditions, thin sand substrate and fallen leaves at the bottom. Most or all of the decorations will be picked from a nearby pristine rainforest, and treated before placing in the tank. The tank will be connected to a drip system (constant water change) dripping 30 gallons of water daily. I can increase this if needed. Filtration is going to be with a large HOB filter (Tetra EX 70) and another smaller one (EX 30), this one only with ceramic rings. Both will have sponges at the intakes for near daily cleaning if needed. Water temperature will be 82º F, with a slightly acid pH.

Now the stocking I plan:

7 wild Symphysodon aequifasciatus "Inanu red" large or extra large from WB Sabby.
15 Hyphessobrycon callistus (Serpae Tetra)
20 Hemigrammus rhodostomus (Rummy Nose)
8 Corydoras arcuatus, though I'm not sure they would do well in 82º F. I might go for C. sterbai instead.

What do you think? I'm specially concerned with the Corydoras at this moment.

Hi Octavio,

Serpae Tetras are known fin nippers and I would not keep them with discus. Rummy noses are a good choice. I personally would keep only one school of rummies or Cardinal Tetras to avoid a tank that is too "busy". The corydoras you mention will be fine at 82F.

[Octavio Salles]

Thanks Mauro.

I've heard about this concerning Serpae tetras, but I also heard that if kept in a larger group, they won't do this.... but well, I might just stick with more Rummy Noses and perhaps a few small cichlids.

[troysdiiscus]

Hey Octavio, agree with Mauro, also I have some GBR in mine. Love them...

[Octavio Salles]

Sorry, what is GBR?

[troysdiiscus]

Sorry, what is GBR?

Sorry German Blue Rams....

[Elliots]

What about Cardinal Tetras?

[Octavio Salles]

Sorry German Blue Rams....

Great, a few rams would look nice among the shadows under the driftwood.

[Octavio Salles]

What about Cardinal Tetras?

Everywhere I see that wild discus, especially large ones, will eat those. I might try some, I love them, but anyway I like the way the rummy noses school, swimming around more actively.

[troysdiiscus]

yes I think that would be a combination with your setup. I think you would enjoy them....

Great, a few rams would look nice among the shadows under the driftwood.

[DiscusBR]

Everywhere I see that wild discus, especially large ones, will eat those. I might try some, I love them, but anyway I like the way the rummy noses school, swimming around more actively.

I have had Cardinals with my wild Cuipeuas for two years and have had no losses due to discus attacks But you are right, rummies are more active swimmers than cardinals. Have you considered Lemon Tetras? 3dees has them in a gourgeous setup, similar to what you are planning:

http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showth...ighlight=3dees

They are great tankmates. I had them for a while but they blended too much with my 3D backgroung and I finally choose the cardinals.

[Elliots]

In NYC Cardinals are usually small when offered for sale but they grow. Give them a try in your Discus tank because they might not get eaten. When I bought Cardinals I bought about 20 at a time but I never ended up with 20 large ones. Also sometimes Cardinals just die. I would buy many more then I wanted to allow for casulties.

[Octavio Salles]

I have had Cardinals with my wild Cuipeuas for two years and have had no losses due to discus attacks But you are right, rummies are more active swimmers than cardinals. Have you considered Lemon Tetras? 3dees has them in a gourgeous setup, similar to what you are planning:

http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showth...ighlight=3dees

Beautiful tank. Yes Lemon Tetras are a possibility too... I guess I'll just buy whatever tetra comes to mind at the time, lol

[SejRamkas]

Go with rummy noses! My favorite thing about these guys is they are like a living water quality indicator. I don't know if this is common knowledge (who knows may even be incorrect), but the redder the noses are the better your water quality is. Considering good water quality is essential to discus keeping this is a nice way to see when things are going wrong.

[Joe]

Lemon tetras or rummy nose would be my choice

Joe