Adding new stock

[tameka123t]

Hello forum, I have a few questions regarding adding new stock.

By way of background, I have had my tank running for 5 years. It is a planted, 260L tank, kept at 29-30 degrees C. I do weekly 40% water changes (will increase this to twice a week). The tank has had good, stable parameters for years now. I originally had 5 discus, 4 of them have passed on over the years (primarily due to my inexperience with keeping them, and not having enough time to do tank maintenance). I have 1 discus remaining, which is large and healthy. Also in the tank are x2 corydoras, x1 glass catfish, x1 bristlenose and x2 khuli loaches. I feed twice a day: bloodworms, brine shrimp and vibra bites. I used to make my own beef heart mix, but stopped because of the labour involved! I now have more time on my hands, have been using this forum to learn more and have decided that I would love to have another go at keeping these beautiful fish.

I plan on purchasing 4 new adult discus from the same breeder. However, I am worried about how my remaining discus will react to the new stock. Is there anything I can do to help make this process less stressful/ensure everyone gets along? My remaining discus has been the tank king for 5 years. I plan on deworming my main tank before purchasing new stock.

A few other questions ...
1. What are the setup requirements for a quarantine tank? I.e size, filter etc.
2. After quarantining the new discus (I will be following Al's quarantine guide), how do I introduce them into the tank?

Any other advice would be appreciated. Many thanks.

[brewmaster15]

Hi,
Since you only have one discus left I would consider moving that fish and any other tankmates to a qt tank. Take some biofilter material from the existing tank to run the filter. Then thoroughly clean your existing tank and use it as as a quarantine tank for the 4 new Discus. Then treat both tanks simultaneously. ., then add your old fish back.
A qt tank should be at least 20 gals for a discus but needs to be large enough to house a group for 6 weeks or longer...

There is another option for you as well here that many keepers would do and is really a good idea...Start over. Rehome the existing fish and get a group of 5 new ones.Theres alot of benefits to do this and is what I would do personally.
hth,
Al

[tameka123t]

Hi Al

What are your thoughts on purchasing two discus first, then adding 2 again later (to avoid a territorial dispute)?

Many thanks.

[danotaylor]

Tameka I encourage you to add all the discus at once. If you add 2 then 2 more later you will actually create a territorial dispute. The 2 added after will for sure get harassed and picked on. Adding them together they will bicker (they are Cichlids after all) as they establish a pecking order.
The other benefit is you won’t have to quarantine the second 2 for 6 weeks before adding them to the existing 2.