http://forum.aqua-fish.net/ A forum devoted to aquarium fish, plants, techniques and fish keeping as a whole. en http://forum.aqua-fish.net/?topic=discus-questions#1 Hi! I’ve read a lot of that Discus fish are difficult to keep, sicne they’re very demanding. That’s why I’d like to know why it’s difficult to keep them exactly. So all of you who keep/kept Discus already, tell me your opinion, please . I hope I’ll find your suggestions useful, since I’m gonna keep this species soon. Naturally, only if I’ll be sure about everything. Joe original post: December 23, 2006, 10:53 am anonymous 2008-05-01 http://forum.aqua-fish.net/?topic=discus-questions#2 I have never kept discus but members of my family have. They are probably the most beautiful freshwater fish there is, they are also facinating when they breed they are caring parents and colourful fish. BUT (and this is a big J-LO butt) They require specific water conditions which if not an experienced aquarist can be difficult to maintain.They are also succeptiable to hole-in-the-head-disease, a common oscar disease that is fatal to any discus. Also they must be kept as a pair or in a group of six or more, as normally there will be an odd one out that will be picked on until he/she dies. Water: you can keep your discus healthy in “moderately hard” (220 ppm) pH 7.5. However, if you decide to breed them, you need to lower your hardness and pH level. Don’t do this unless absolutely necessary. Very soft water usually cannot maintain a stable pH. Also their tanks need huge frequent 50%-60% changes as any ammonia or nitrogen build ups can be potentially fatal for the discus. From Ackerz If you need any help about breeding just post a reply, as breeding Discus (http://www.discusfishs.com/breeding-discus-fish-t3.html) is probably the most rewarding thing in the Hobby. last modification by jan last modification by jan last modification by jan Ackerz 2008-05-01 http://forum.aqua-fish.net/?topic=discus-questions#3 I keep 7x Brown Discus and they don’t seem to be very demanding. I only follow some basic guidelines and "how-to", and there is no problem about keeping them. I saw some very bad aquariums with Discus fish (alive ones ). I was wondering how they survive can survive . So maybe not all Discus are that demanding as mentioned everywhere... Of course, I don’t claim to be a Discus expert and I agree that you can’t keep these fish in a bucket without any care. Tony anonymous 2008-05-01 http://forum.aqua-fish.net/?topic=discus-questions#4 Although they might look fine they could be ill so follow the guide lines just incase or you could end up with a lot of dead expensive fish on your hands. Ackerz 2008-05-01 http://forum.aqua-fish.net/?topic=discus-questions#5 discus are extremely sensitive to water conditions.It has to be of the highest quality, with no fluctuations.In all of my discus tanks 20% water changes daily were performed.They need at least 10 -15 galls water space each,min depth of tank should be 2' Not recommended for the beginner and never add them to an immature tank. 28-30 degrees temp so be careful of tankmates,they can't take the higher water temps. mickey 2008-05-16 http://forum.aqua-fish.net/?topic=discus-questions#6 Here is a link to the revised version of one article which was written by a friend of mine: http://www.aqua-fish.net/show.php?h=discusfishrevision. jan 2008-05-22