How big can a discus grow?

Question

My pleco, Ralph, now lives alone in his 20 gallon long tank. My husband wants me to get more fish for the tank, and he says get 5-6 discus. I know discus grow, but when my goldfish grow too large for their tank, I can move everyone 'up one' so the discus will live in a 45 gallon tank. Can they grow larger if I get them a larger than 45 gallon tank?

Answer 1

As adults discus will get between 6-7 inches. They are fairly large fish and at most a pair would fit in a 45 gallon as adults.

If you get 4-5 juveniles you'll want to watch them closely and when you see two pair off then you'll want to remove the rest from the tank and either return them or get them their own tank.

Answer 2

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
How big can a discus grow?
My pleco, Ralph, now lives alone in his 20 gallon long tank. My husband wants me to get more fish for the tank, and he says get 5-6 discus. I know discus grow, but when my goldfish grow too large for their tank, I can move everyone 'up one' so the discus will live in a 45 gallon tank. ...

Answer 3

They grow the size of a dinner plate. Two would be the max for a 55 gallon tank, and they would have to be a mated pair. They want a lot warmer water than the other fish, and are very peaceful. They would not mix well with most american cichlids. Small fish and american cichlids do not usually mix either...what cichlid???? Your plan is greatly overstocking your tank. 3 discus would be a disaster. Stocking recommendations is 1, a mated pair, or 5+, any variation leads to territorial and nippy discus.

Answer 4

Discus can grow at most is 7 inches, measuring from nose to end of tail fin. They are expensive, and the small ones are difficult to care for. As a good rule of thumb, never purchase a discus unless it is at least four inches.

Answer 5

The average size for the common type of discus is 7.1 inches long (18 cm). It would best to place them in the 45 gallon straight off, and best keep no more than three, as five to six will be too over-crowding when they reach mature size (most dealers will sell discuss at small ages). Also, please keep in mind Discuss are not a great fish for beginner or casual fish keepers, as they are more demanding than the majority of South American Chiclids. They prefer to be in a well planted, low lit tank with a slight current to simulate a Amazonian lazy river. The best thing to do is talk to your local aquarium dealer, as they may recommend alternatives than discuss if you are interested in South American varieities (May suggust Angelfish, Firemouths, or Jack Depseys).

Answer 6

7-8 inches nose to tip of tail sounds about right. Do not let yourself get scared away from keeping discus. They aren't the easiest fish to care for, but they are not egg-shell fragile either. The work is well worth the reward, but please do the research prior to getting some. Here is a quick linky. Good read:

http://www.netpets.com/fish/reference/freshref/discusbegin.html

Answer 7

Make sure that your pleco will not out grow the tank on it's own. There are some that can grow very big.

Answer 8

over 10-12 inches long and over 8-12 inches high.

5-6 dicus is way to much for a 45 gallon. That many would need at least 75 gallons, and the pleco needs about 125 gallons at least.