caroldaisy3 Posted July 28, 2011 Report Share Posted July 28, 2011 I have today bought a second lovely discus fish but the discus I already had is not too happy! Chasing the new fish around all the time. Have had two discus before that got on well right from the start. Is this sort of aggression normal? If so, how long would it normally last? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myfishybuisness Posted July 28, 2011 Report Share Posted July 28, 2011 its just showing its the boss of the tank, it should settle down after a while, but if it doesnt you may have to seperate them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caroldaisy3 Posted July 28, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 28, 2011 Oh I do so hope they settle down...is it likely to go on for a couple of days or how long do you think? When you say separate them do you mean put a divider in the tank it itself? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myfishybuisness Posted July 28, 2011 Report Share Posted July 28, 2011 it will most likely go on for a couple of days, until the new fish has settled, and yes a divider in the tank itself or another tank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanjury Posted July 28, 2011 Report Share Posted July 28, 2011 It is just cichlids 101.. If you stick 2 of them the same in the same tank unless they pair off the biggest one will be more dominant.. Sometimes it can settle and if the tank is big enough the less dominat one may even live, it is particularly bad in discus because they get sick when they get stressed. There are tons of threads in here on discus and most recommend 4+ or a compatible pair, use the search function above.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishplants Posted July 28, 2011 Report Share Posted July 28, 2011 As others have said, this is very normal as Discus have a strong hierarchical structure. it will usually settle down after a week or two. i wouldn't put a divider in as that is only delaying/masking the problem. As Ryan said, might pay to get one or two more discus so that they can develop a stable structure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caroldaisy3 Posted July 29, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 29, 2011 My tank is 120 litres...is that big enough to get two more discus...making a total of 4? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myfishybuisness Posted July 29, 2011 Report Share Posted July 29, 2011 My tank is 120 litres...is that big enough to get two more discus...making a total of 4? No, you would need probaly a 200l atleast for 4 discus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caroldaisy3 Posted July 29, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 29, 2011 OK thanks for that info. I will have to weather it and hope for the best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishplants Posted July 29, 2011 Report Share Posted July 29, 2011 My tank is 120 litres...is that big enough to get two more discus...making a total of 4? Everybody will say 'no', and quote you things suh as 'minimum 50 litres per fish'. But, if you are prepared to have a reasonably frequent water change schedule, than 4 Discus will be no problem. If they are Juvies you should do very frequent W/C to get good growth. You could try 3 fish and see how that goes, or just leave the 2 for a while to see if they sort themselves out. If you add a 3rd, you may get the same aggression issues, and then add a 4th later you will most likely get them again! 'Tis just the way they are! But generally a larger group allows their natural structure to form well. One of my tanks has 7 adult/sub adult Discus in it, and they are nearly always bickering. Not helped by the fact that in the group there is one sexually mature female, and 3 young males vying for her attention! :lol: (she has already 'slept' with 2 of the 3 :lol: ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caroldaisy3 Posted July 29, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 29, 2011 Thanks for the information. I have had three before and one got picked on all the time and died in the end, whether from stress or what I don't know. I have not seen it eat yet but could be early days, just got the second one yesterday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishplants Posted July 29, 2011 Report Share Posted July 29, 2011 Thanks for the information. I have had three before and one got picked on all the time and died in the end, whether from stress or what I don't know. I have not seen it eat yet but could be early days, just got the second one yesterday. No worries. Yes, Discus can be a bit of a pain trying to have them all get along. Multiple tanks helps, as an aggressive fish in one tank can become the submissive fish in another. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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