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July 28, 2004
The Aquarium
Discus fish are large fish and should therefore be kept in a big aquarium, about 50 liters ( 13 gallons ) for one mature fish is a good guideline. Because the discus is a schooling fish it should be kept in small groups with a minimum of 5. If we calculate a little further we come to the conclusion that a tank of 250 liters ( 66 gallons )is a minimum size to start with. The discus is a high shaped fish and when selecting an aquarium a higher tank is recommended.
That discus should be kept in a 'clean' tank, meaning without decoration, is a myth and in my opinion it always has been. To stimulate normal behavior and to reduce stress it is best to decorate the tank as natural as possible. An aquarium with large plants, some rocks, roots and a few floating plants is the ideal setup for the discus. It provides hiding places, filters the light from above and contributes to a healthy water condition.
The standard light tubes used for aquaria are sufficient for a discus tank, be sure to create some dark places in your tank where the fish can hide.
Posted by Front at July 28, 2004 08:05 PM
