Discus Are Not Swimming As A Group =/

[chEvstErino]

hi everyone

i have 4 discus in my 90 gallon tank...
2-blue diamonds
1-snow white
1-pigeon blood

all were each bought at different days... and for me, i love fish that swim in groups, and now, when i check at my discus, they all are seperated in different parts of the tank all the time and not swimming as a group... is that ok? sure there is a pecking order in the tank, but will time take till they finally swim as a group? the only time they together is during between feeding times.... THNX!

 

[Citrinellus]

Only the discus fry I'm growing out tend to shoal. The juvies and adults tend to keep to themselves. You could always add a school of cardinal, neon, rummynose tetras to their tank if you want to see schooling.

 

[chEvstErino]

oh ok Midas.... its just because all the time i see discus always swimming together, idk.... but yea, im thinking of adding maybe cardinals or rummynoses... i also have a clown loach with them, could i add 1-2 more clown loaches?

 

[hillbilly]

It's normal. Don't worry about it. Discus are social fish, and will form social groups, but not necessarily a shoaling fish. Actually it's probably a good thing. Discus that are huddled together all the time are often showing stress, so that may tell you that yours are comfortable in their environment.

 

[chEvstErino]

It's normal. Don't worry about it. Discus are social fish, and will form social groups, but not necessarily a shoaling fish. Actually it's probably a good thing. Discus that are huddled together all the time are often showing stress, so that may tell you that yours are comfortable in their environment.

w00t! ok cool...

 

[sushiray]

Mine school or shoal. But I have 15 juvies when I started out. but you do realize you have a nice sized big tank for just 4 discus so they may tend to "go on there merrily way on their own" just due to shear volume of space. + you added each separately. takes time but I think the more you add (maybe 2 more) they may huddle together & then "hike" they all go for the goal line! (eating at the same time that is).

about the tip to ensure you have 4 or more at one time at the same time - well I bought 15 at the same time & just yesterday quite a few alphas "came out". some others were able to snip back whiles some couldn't be bothered so were shooed away. my little ones don't care what size you are - they treat all the same - it's like the little lap yap dog wanna be big dog syndrome - or is it??!! either way not sure how this developed thinking 15 could live peacefully in harmony. but they school together for sure!

good luck!

 

[chEvstErino]

how much more discus could i add in the tank? should i get big ones from now on? juvies? small ones? and also about the loaches, i could add 2 more in right? and along with some(6-10) rummynose

 

[sushiray]

how much more discus could i add in the tank? should i get big ones from now on? juvies? small ones? and also about the loaches, i could add 2 more in right? and along with some(6-10) rummynose

I personally like juvies but you should get similar sizing as you have now. juvies will have issues with the other bigger discus.

I want to say at least 2more. I am not a proponent of other fish mix - small schools of fish not needed for my tank.

maybe when my grow out I will landscape, get bigger tank, then buy the schools of fish.

but right now for me only discus barebottom except for 7 tiny baby BN's & a baby royal.

good luck!

 

[Westie]

Yes, I hate to say it but, Discus tend to be a bit racist and will ignore other Discus not of the same breed. I have one PB and one alone as the others never seem to recognize him and no one wants to breed with him!

 

[chEvstErino]

Yes, I hate to say it but, Discus tend to be a bit racist!

LMAO i guess, i see my blue diamonds in with each other now...