docB

I am starting a 55 planted gallon tank.
I now have 2 oto cats, 2 juli cory cats and 1 green emerald cat all about 1" to 1-1/2"
I would like to get several Discus and finish with as many cardinal tetras as is feasible.
I was thinking three discus and a dozen tetras.
As I study up I see discus like more discus.
Can I up it to five discus and still get a school of tetras.
I don't plan on breeding them and plan on 50% water changes twice a week

Shawnie

welcome to fishlore docB!!

I have no experience with discus but it sounds like a fun exciting tank...I just wanted to welcome you

we have other members that do have discus and im sure they will be along to offer advice...and make sure you share pics when you can!!

capekate

Welcome to fishlore!
IMO your stocking list sounds fine. You can have five Discus in that tank. I had Discus before in my 55 and five was fine in there along with the cardinals and the cories you will do ok.
I would get the Discus all together tho, so they can get used to each other in the new tank. When introducing new Discus to an established Discus tank, I have found in my experience a lot of aggression towards the new guy.
Best of luck!

docB

Yes I plan to get all the discus at once.
How many tetras do you think it could handle as the larger the school the more impressive.
If I follow the 10 gallon per discuss ruleand/or 1" per gallon rule for the cory's then five discuss plus the 7" total of cory's I already have would leave a minus two inches of tetras.
So even if I bend the 10 gallon per discuss rule I don't think I could have many tetras. But then maybe my frequent water changes changes all those rules of thumb.

capekate

I had 5 of them and I really did not feel the tank was crowded.. Im sure that others may disagree on that tho. If you are worried about it, then by all means go with three Discus, and they would be fine plus then you can fit your 12 Cardinal tetras in there as well as the cories you have already.