Discus and Apistos

[jowens]

I know our friend Aspen is trying it, but I'd like to hear about everyone else's experiences with mixing discus and apistos. I know it can be done, but I'm concerned about space in my show tank: is 46-gallons (planted) big enough for 3 discus and 2-pairs of Apistos?

 

[Neil]

Depends on the structure and the species that you choose. Choose wisely and it can be done, but choose unwisely and you may have yourself some unhappy fish. :cry:

 

[Eva32181]

I'd say yes, IMHO. But discus prefer life in schools, and might be very nervous in a grouping of only three. Also, pick less aggressive apisto species (I don't know which apistos those would be, tho).

 

[Richgrenfell]

Well,
i always kept discus alone, but i was breeding them and that is another matter. i agree with Eva. A group of 3 will most likely not work, as the 2 more dominant fish are going to pick on the 3rd one. Discus form a pecking order, and IMO you should have no less that 4 or 5 fish in the same tank. A 46 is not big enough even for the discus, let alone apistos as well. Just my opinion.....

Rich

 

[Eva32181]

If you could get a mated pair of discus for your tank, that would be perfect. A proven pair that does night fight with each other, plus maybe a few rams and tetras, would work. I would LOVE to have a tank like that. You should get another tank, buy several baby discus, grow them out in there and when a pair forms put them in your planted show tank. Assuming you have unlimited time and money, that is.