New to Discus

[annabelleKimrey]

Hi everyone, I have been keeping freshwater fish for the last 5 years but I am completely new to discus! I did my fair share of research before purchasing my first discus and I have been so pleasantly surprised at how well they are doing. I know that discus are sensitive fish and I was always talked out of buying them in the past being told that my water was too hard, my temp not high enough, and the other fish in my tank weren't compatible. On my last trip to That Fish Place in Lancaster, PA I saw a tank with beautiful red turquoise discus (I think!) My discus.jpgand I felt like they were just calling my name! At $100/each and a birthday coming up, I decided they were going on my list. Although there were 4 in the tank, I only got 2 since I wasn't sure how they would like their new home. Now, I am wishing I purchased them all! Here have been my surprises:
-my discus are just fine in water that is 82 degrees
-my discus don't really get along with each other, they pretty much do their own things
-my discus bully my angelfish
-my discus bully each other
-my discus eat right out of my hand--no problem competing for food
-my discus get along with the other "controversial" fish in their tank--blood parrots, electric blue acaras, eartheaters, angelfish, and a chocolate cichlid.
-my discus are not shy. I put in all sorts of hiding places but they only want to swim at the front.
-my discus are happy in water with a pH of 7.4

Also, I do have a big tank (190 gallons with a 50 gallon sump) so this helps with compatibility and clean water.

Anyways, I happy be be a member of the forum and looking forward to keeping these beautiful fish for years to come!

[Phillydubs]

Welcome, glad you are off to a good start. I will say that discus are a schooling fish and prefer larger groups, hence why they act as they do to one another. Given you have lots of other fish and a big tank they may not mind but you may want to add another 4 or more with proper qt of course