Discus help - what should I do guys?

Question

Our hexagonal tank is 60 litre and I got 2 discus for my birthday. At first they were lovely together and then the male is now chomping his way through the ladies fin. Just as I was looking at ways to resolve the situation this afternoon one of the 3 guppies had approx 30 babies!(typical) They also share with ottinculas - pygmy suckermouth x2.
Anyway what should I do? I am thining about getting a new tank say 60litres for the guppy family and selling the babies when they get big but the discus? Some websites say you need 6 discus some say 1 are ok. Others say a HUGE tank others say water quality is better than size,. I have taken out the overgrowing plants this afternoon and just wanna know what to do next. My water quality is perfect I just love these fish so much.
Thanks
James

Would my tank be big enough for another discus? Now I'm more confused.
Would I be better on having a guppy tank and just leave 2 pygmy and 3 discus in my current 60 litre tank?

Answer 1

You need a bigger tank very soon. at LEAST 200 liter. They do best in schools of 5 or more, and water quality and tank size are both VERY important. My father use to breed discus for many years and I can tell you, These are not a beginner fish. If the water is not just right or if the ammonia or nitrates are to high, they cant handle it. So get a bigger tank and keep the water quality good, very little to no nitrates and ammonia, around 78- 84 degrees Fahrenheit (sorry don't know Celsius) and they should be fine. But learn some more about these delicate fish.

Answer 2

The nipping may be from stress from the move, or it may just be an aggressive Discus. Either way, 60 liters is NOT large enough for Discus. At 6-8 inches, these guys need all the room they can get, for both movement and water stability. Unless you can get them at least 125L, I wouldn't even bother trying to solve the problem. They will always be stressed by the limited space, and you will always see the nipping.

Soop Nazi

EDIT:
1. As Confused said, Discus are schooling fish, and need to be kept in groups (5+ is best, but 4 would be adequate).
2. A 60L tank is too small to keep any Discus at all. To properly keep a school of Discus, you should get at least a 200L (50 US gallon) tank.
3. Unless you can provide your Discus with the proper school and proper tank, you should not keep them and you will continue to see this aggression.

Answer 3

Wow! We have a handful of fish.

Let's start with the discus. If the male is eating the female (litereally) than you need to separate the two otherwise you will lose her. What kind of food are you feeding them and are you feeding them enough? I am not saying that they are hungry, but it it is possible that they aren't getting enough to eat.

On the guppy side of things, I would definitely house them separate and sell off the babies. The thing is that if you keep the originals together then you will keep running into this issue.

Good luck with both, but it seems like right now there is too much in one aquarium.

Answer 4

Get at least 4 more discus,and a bigger tank for them.They are schooling fish,and need to be in large groups.If you get more,the ones you have will feel more secure,and the fighting should stop.I would also get another tank for your guppies asap!

Good Luck!

Answer 5

woah. I certainly hope you know what youre getting into with discus. they are magnificent, but also incredibly demanding. to survive for any extended period of time, I'd reccomend no less than 3 30% water changes a week, a very nutricious diet (an expensive one), very carefully selected tankmates, and as fish, your undivided attention. just wanted to warn you on what ur getting into.