David C

My LFS turned me onto the idea of a discus tank and I'm starting to like the idea. They said that as long as the discus go into the tank first, there usually aren't any problems mixing them with angels. So I was wondering how many discus I should put into a 220gal w/75gal sump... I'll be adding in 6 angels but I want to keep the tank lightly stocked, around 150" of fish or so, to make maintenance easier. I figure I should finish it off with a schooling fish or something of that sorts, but I don't know what else would mix due to the warmer temperatures the discus require. If anyone has any ideas or recommendations, please feel free to add your

capekate

Hi David,
If I went by my experience with mixing Angels and Discus, I would advice against it. The two species fought and chased each other all the time. I would never add them together again.
Since you really want Angel fish, I would suggest finding fish that are compatible with them, rather than fish that are compatible with Discus.

David C

I can easily keep my 55gal as an angel tank, although I was hoping to convert it to a barb tank when I pick up the new one during spring break. I'm still in the planning stages so nothing is set in stone, the idea of discus is awesome but the thought of doing 30% water changes every other day (88gal or so) is pretty daunting. We'll see where it all takes me, I just want to have as much information as possible to make the best decision for me and the fish.

Slug

I don't see any problem mixing them, as i've owned some very pushy discus that could easily take on an angel. But its all in the stock you get. Some discus rush the tank and are vigorous feeders, others are very very shy and the angels will out compete them for food every time. Thats going to be the bulk of your problems, feeding and getting food to the discus through the angels.

For that reason alone i say do them separate. Is it possible together? Yes it is, but its not always the best option.

WCs for discus can vary widely. I do WCs every other day on about 175gals total tank volume. Some do them once weekly. Its all about how you want them to grow, what you are feeding, and what you want them to turn out like. Show quality discus usually get daily or bi/tri-daily water changes. Mine get every other day. A heavily planted show tank might only get them weekly. Beefheart and bloodworms, as well as other high protien food foul the water very fast, so the more you feed of this....the more WCs you want to do. Discus on strictly a good pellet or flake diet with occasional bloodworms could probably get away with weekly water changes. There are a lot of variables to take into consideration.

The daily water changes scare a lot of people, but most of the times this is done in tanks going for breeding stock. Apart from maybe the water bill, the changes really arn't that bad every other day i've found. I've become so proficient at them that it takes hardly any time, and i get a chance to observe my fish often to make sure they are doing good.

David C

You bring up some good points, I'll have to discuss this with the wife. She's the one who raised the concern over the huge amount of water I'd be going through, and she's ready to veto the idea. I'll give her a couple days to calm down and then present this new info to her, we'll see where that gets me. lol