What you should know before owning Discus | A beginner's guide to Discus

In this video, Kelvin talks through the things you need to know before you begin your Discus keeping journey, such as what size Discus and tank to get, the difference between cheap and expensive Discus, Discus tankmates, and more.
Visit the OZ Discus Learning Hub for more information about Discus care: ozdiscus.com.au/learn-about-d...
Shop OZ Discus: ozdiscus.com.au/shop-now/
Got a question? Drop them in the comments below.

[@user-kk2eb5xf7s]

This is so helpful. We are starting a 150 gallon discus tank and I can't wait to learn more on your site!

[@flonkas]

I only have 2 tanks with discus, and man , it takes me hours per day doing water changes and maintenance. I’m an experienced fish keeper, so I was prepared and ready for this. It’s been tough but I love devoting time to my fish.

[@OZDiscus]

This hobby is challenging but also very rewarding. Keep at it. You will enjoy the learning curve and seeing it work with your fish :)

[@MikeeRogers]

Curious, does this add a lot to your water bill? Never knew you had to change daily. Been wanting a discus tank but this is too much for me lol

[@trapperkeeper6202]

I only do once a week and they are thriving

[@hammad3180]

​@@MikeeRogersim pretty sure you dont need to change their water that much. A healthy natural tank should not need that many water changes. Like once a week or every two weeks is normal but daily water changes is just a sign of a paranoid fish keeper.

[@lt7378]

If I lived in Sidney near your store, I’d seriously consider setting up a discus tank . But alas, I’m in Texas.

[@bettaaquatiks2604]

Excellent information & Advice. Thank you for sharing.👍👍👍👍👍

[@OZDiscus]

Our pleasure

[@bettaaquatiks2604]

@@OZDiscus Sir can you do more videos on discus care & water changes/foods etc

[@razibmiah7788]

Thanks for this vedio, you are doing great job for discus hobbyists.

[@OZDiscus]

Thank you and glad it is helpful

[@moniquemoors1974]

Thanks you for the advice, want to upgrade from a 100L tank to a big discus tank.

[@OZDiscus]

Congrats

[@OZDiscus]

I hope you have gotten a bigger tank 🙏

[@fishlovers9125]

Exlent sir for information

[@birdnat3727]

Thank you so much 💓

[@birdnat3727]

And thanks for subtitles 🤗

[@OZDiscus]

@@birdnat3727 pleasure :)

[@pietroluigilebani4604]

im loving the channel, so much good tips e information. I have e 100 gallon tank with a 50 gallon sump, I do 30% water chance twice a week, how many discus do you guys would say I can keep ? cheers from Brazil.

[@OZDiscus]

Thank you. The rule of thumb is 40L per adult sized discus. 👍

[@DiscusVibs]

Best Quality and Healthy Discus Fish Love Form India 😍😍

[@OZDiscus]

Thank you Vaibhav

[@jobalvaro3440]

Hi OZ Discus.I have been following your vlog for quite long and thank you so much for a lot of information I gained. I just have one question, is it OK to keep my discus at 25 -26 celsius? In my country, the electric bills is quite high especially during winter so I am thinking of keeping my tank at this temperature. thanks a lot in advance...

[@OZDiscus]

Discus will not die at 25-26 degrees, however that isnt a comfortable temperature for them naturally. I can recommend you adding a heater to at least give them 28 degrees so its comfortable for them. A few degrees isnt going to be hefty on the electric bill but you’ll want to make sure your fishy friends have comfort than to feel like they need to freeze daily.

[@freyafoxmusic]

Thank you

[@relicturtle7373]

I'm confused if the fish can get to about 10inches why is a 26 gallon tank sufficient? Also what would you recommend as the best temperature

[@cdnreplies3597]

Thinking about discus after keeping African cichlids for 30 years and recently was given a 110 gallon bow front which is my first tank in 3 years after getting rid of all my tanks . I've started collecting the rest of everything and wondering if my filtration systems are enough for discus. 1 fluval fx6 and 1 ehiem professional 2 canister. I have 2 wave makers if needed. I've gotten everything free on marketplace which saved me a lot and have to buy a few things now but my filtration for discus is my concern. Is it enough? These 2 filters are quite large and have great reviews. Any info would be appreciated

[@OZDiscus]

Those are some of the best cannisters in the market and more than enough to power a 110 gallon. However, cannister filters are nothing more than the volume box without the right media in it. I recommend the use of Marine Pure Balls in the filter, and if the size of the basket allows, even Marine Pure Blocks (you can cut this up to fit). Sponge and wool at the upper layers. Alternatively, you can consider 1 cannister (FX6 for biological) and the eHeim for mechanical filtration. For the Biological, no need to constantly clean. Once every 6 months with Marine pure is fine. Wave makers an advantage to blow at the bottom of the tank to keep the bare bottom clean or just below the water line for surface agitation. All good items to have. Our best wishes but you seem to have the right tools to begin.Dont forget to be patient to cycle the tank.

[@cinaannie7338]

Do you do business with Jack Watley discus?

[@user-zb5xw1kz7f]

Spasibo...

[@ltd4991]

What type of fish did that guy put with his 15 discus? I'd like to set up a discus tank with only tetras (cardinal or rummy nose). I hope that will work out.

[@OZDiscus]

Tetras are fine but neon and cardinals, even rummy nose will become food in 2-3 yrs time when discus turn adult. If you are wanting to keep these smaller species long term, try fish like congo tetras, torpedo barbs etc. they grow larger. But remember, when you add other species, temp cannot be over 28 degrees

[@sumandutta7821]

How many discus can I keep in 6ft long , 2.5ft high and 1.5ft wide tank

[@surajitparua6181]

Dear sir, please tell what is ideal water parameter for discuss ? And also make a video on this topic.. A lot of love from INDIA....❤❤❤

[@makiarn777]

He just did in this video

[@pinkypromise3697]

Any ideas on why discus are peppering?

[@kelvinchang7655]

Yes this is natural for all pigeon based discus. Its a natural camouflage response to dark environments. To reduce peppring, have a bright white background tank, and low light source. You will find none to very little peppring if you achieve this.

[@allenlfrancisco]

since stendker is closing down. thoughts on mixing germans and asians? thanks!

[@OZDiscus]

Yes a shame we wont have many German breeds. However Ive never had issues with this mix. If you properly quarantine and be patient. Some people PP their fish and QT them before the mix.

[@allenlfrancisco]

@@OZDiscus from what ive read it seems that its a hit and miss. im still having second thoughts about it but i know that i have to do it eventually. cheers from 🇨🇦

[@chickenfist1554]

@@allenlfrancisco From what I understand it's usually the German strains that are lost when they're mixed, the Asian Discus are usually fine

[@elvinsworld11]

Nice

[@OZDiscus]

Thank you.

[@Gopikrishnan08112]

Hello, good to know all the details but what worries me is Every aquarium I visit have discus in a veey small fish tanks, I have never seen a seller keep discus in atleast a 50 gallon tank, all i have seen is barely a 10 to 20 gallon tank overall It's us hobbyist are setting up 50 gallon and 100 gallon tanks

[@OZDiscus]

It is true that some shops tend to keep their fish in less than ideal sized tanks. This is usually because the fish is only going to be in the store for a short period of time. I cant profess to having them in minimum 50 gallon but our tanks are minimum 35 gallons up to 125 gallons for our Discus.

[@Gopikrishnan08112]

@@OZDiscus thank you for explaining this

[@Anonymous11Jj]

is 240 liters aquarium enough for discus?

[@OZDiscus]

Yes you can have 6 comfortably

[@Anonymous11Jj]

@@OZDiscusI have 2 more questions can guppies be with discus? If the discus are smaller babies? Only prob is different temperature but I wanna know. And will a discus pair breed in the tank even if its other discuses there?

[@kelvinchang7655]

@@Anonymous11Jj Hi, sadly, no. Guppies do prefer cooler waters and unfortunately, the tails of guppies are just too appetising for Discus. Whilst Discus are very tame fish, they are after all a cichlid and will hunt their food. Even neon tetras and rummy noses posses as food eventually for discus. I suggest larger species such as Congo tetras or a variety of Rainbow Fish to be better shoal fish in a Discus tank. Other than this, corys and catfishes are generally good companion for discus. You can also have geophagus, uarus and even black ghost knife fish with Discus. Regarding your second question, they will breed in a community tank but you will not be successful raising the fry or even getting beyond hatching stages in a community tank. The breeding process for discus is sacred and the parents become very paternal and maternal and will eat their own eggs and fry if they feel that their spawn is in danger of other fish. Good luck !!

[@Anonymous11Jj]

@@kelvinchang7655 Oh okey thanks alot! For the detailed answer I appreciate it alot!!!! Thanks alot. Now I know more😊

[@rockfella27]

Can they be kept in 8.4 pH and 30 ppm nitrate?

[@OZDiscus]

Ph is too high for confort. Should be kept between 6.8-7.2 for domestics. Nitrare are best below 20ppm.

[@Cichlid-Fever]

Nitrates are way too high, you need more water changes

[@rockfella27]

@@Cichlid-Fever My tap water has high nitrates!

[@syedrasid9805]

do you export discuss to India

[@OZDiscus]

Sorry we dont export outside of Australia

[@chillwill7s60]

He said 6 water changes a day 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 , next video please

[@veoquenoesunproblema]

Thats ok for breeders but it is nonsense too. Unless you have money and wasting money don’t care about lot

[@NozFoxGaming]

don't mix discus from different sources.. if you do, QT for at least a month before introducing

[@TinoushGTR]

30c is bacteria factory. 28.5c and they do fine. Bacteria has less chance to grow. This acures to adult discus for me.

[@realdonhesh]

Was planning to visit next week. But, Now I'm so afraid. These fishes are very high maintenance. I'll have them when I can allocate some time for them.

[@OZDiscus]

Sometimes its not about jumping into a hobby. We’re glad we can also help show how much commitment is required to support and keep discus healthy. Discus arent hard to keep but they do take time. Feel free to drop in, no harm in looking and asking more questions. 👍

[@kevinoconnell8242]

3 to 6 water changes a day is absolute nonsense.

[@OZDiscus]

We are sharing knowledge base. If you disagree, rather than criticising, share how you have optimised for small discus? Also which farms have you visited?

[@devarena9130]

A lot of these pointers are half truth. Yes discuss with small size about 4 months old need water changes but not like 6 to 8 per day its max 1 change per day (50% water change) if you are keeping barebottom tank And you can keep 1-2 discus per 10 gallon of water means a 150 liter tank can hold up to 4-6 discus of medium size... I have successfully grown even two months of discus. And in planted aquarium you can change 50% water twice in a week for 150 liter tank since well planted tank with canister filter having good bacteria can break nitrogen in to nitrate and plants can consume that extra nitrate. Dont know why he is suggesting otherwise in this video but most info is half truth. Some people online recommend to buy big size discus since its profitable for them. YOu can start with 4-6 months of discus if you have 150 liter tank with canister filter that cycles water 5-6 times per hour and if you know how to handle discus. Morever discus give you time to treamtment and not like other fishes who suddenly die.So Discus are not hard to keep in right hands.

[@EyesOfTheVulture]

I agree, a baby fish are boring and shouldn't be kept as a main stock in fishstores

[@pc-cichlids4077]

First theres Wild and Hybrids Discus . Most of your recommendations are for Hybrids Discus and dont apply to Wild Discus. Just a heads up.

[@OZDiscus]

Pls feel free to share your tips with Wild Discus. Thank you for the heads up.

[@MA-oe1pu]

When you say to allow approx. 40 liter per discus, does this mean ONLY the discus alone and NO other fish? Or, there can also be other small fish in the tank? So, for a 200 liter tank, we can have 5 discus in "addition" to the other discus friendly fish? Thanks!

[@OZDiscus]

Correct. So the other fish you should look up their requirements and deduct from there

[@chaksa]

My snake skin started to eat my neon tetras.

[@NPC-30]

2:13 Didn't really answer the question.

[@OZDiscus]

What question are you aiming to learn?

[@ckzdiscus5337]

Love from India 🌹🙏🏻🌷🥰👌🏻

[@OZDiscus]

Thank you and right back at you from Australia