keeping discus in a 29

[dax29]

I'm now thinking of keeping discus in my 29 gallon tank. Is a 29 too small? If so, are 3 fish too few to keep together?

[KIWI13]

29 can be small, can you give us some dimensions to the tank?? what matters is what you put in the tank and if you are willing to maintain a high level of quality. If you can keep the water clean and do good water changes every alternate day at the very least, then you could easily get away with 4 fish in there....

Jason

[Jarrod]

I'm now thinking of keeping discus in my 29 gallon tank. Is a 29 too small? If so, are 3 fish too few to keep together?

Hi Dax...
the general recomendation for discus is 5-10 gals per fish depending on size of fish...in a 29 you could more than likely keep maybe 3 adult fish...discus are more comfortable in groups of 4-6 together in tanks...hth :)

[candyl70]

Hey Dax,

I agree with Jas here. If you keep fish in a 29 gal. You have to be sure to keep up on water quality as it will go bad faster. I would recommend that you keep them in at least a 55 gal. Discus do better in groups of 6 or more, and it helps spread out any aggression.

Most ppl use the 29 gal for a breeder tank or a hospital tank.

HTH,
Candy

[RyanH]

If you are starting with young juveniles (<2 1/2"), keeping a group of 6 in a 29 would be fine for a couple of months IMO. It would be very important to keep up with your water changes and maintenence though. You'll want to move them to a 55 before too long.

Discus get large and they like to eat. They need lot's of space IMO.

hth
-Ryan

[dax29]

So would you say that a 55 gallon tank is the minimum for discus?

[RyanH]

So would you say that a 55 gallon tank is the minimum for discus?

IMO, if you want to keep large, healthy Discus long-term, yes.

The one exception being breeding pairs.

[pcsb23]

IMO, if you want to keep large, healthy Discus long-term, yes.

The one exception being breeding pairs.
and qt/hospital tank.

Paul.

[RyanH]

Yup. That too. :o

[AADiscus]

I would only use a 29 for breeding purposes and small fry until they are winged off the parents and ready for a big tank.

A 55 gal would be a good start for you.

[dax29]

Okay. I have a 55 but I'm a while from using it b/c I'm growing out some fish in it now. I'm kinda planning on putting some blue dempseys in the 55 after that. I may get a 75 gallon tank in about a year and go for discus then.

[candyl70]

Sounds like you have a good plan!! :)

[Alight]

Just to stir the pot, I'll throw in another opionion (not mine, I agree with the minimum of 55 to raise Discus in).

Dick Au's opinion http://www.cichlidworld.com/books/backdiscuse.html

is that Discus should be packed in together, as many as can be kept with good water parameters. This could mean 10 in a 10 gallon tank, or 30 in a 55 gallon tank. He feels that they like to be close together and actually grow faster and are more healthy when they are packed in.

However, the water must be pristine, and the only way to do this would be to have fresh water constantly moving through the much to small aquariums.

So, if you have a constant "flow (not drip)" system, or change water 3-4 times a day, you could grow out 6 Discus to adulthood in a 29 gallon tank.

I, on-the-other-hand, would very much not recommend you try.

[RyanH]

if you have a constant "flow (not drip)" system, or change water 3-4 times a day, you could grow out 6 Discus to adulthood in a 29 gallon tank.

I, on-the-other-hand, would very much not recommend you try.

I agree on both accounts. :)