Pearl Gurami as Discus tank mates

Pearl gurami are one of my most favorite aquarium fish kinds. They are very beautiful and peaceful community fish. Unlike other types of gurami, Pearl are not aggressive at females and they don't mind living as pairs. I haven't seen those beautiful fish for  while in fishshop. But several days ago I found some Pearl gurami in a fishshop and bought a pair. I thought they might be great as Discus tank-mates.

And they are ! Now they are in Discus tank for nearly a week and there are no fights. Discus fish totally ignores these guys and they to stay out of Discus fish. Also unlike other gurami kinds Pearl gumari stay near surface of water. So they don't meet Discus fish often except for meal times. Discus fish prefer to stay in mid level of the tank and they search bottom for food too.

Pearl guramis are great Discus tank-mates but make sure keep them in a quarantine tank for like one week before adding to Discus tank. Also some fish has their own personalities so always watch these guys for few days. Make sure there are not problems or fights.

Discus Tankmates : Blue Ram

A month ago I bought 2 pairs of Blue Rams. They are also known as Ramirezi. Unfortunately all my 4 seems to be females ( Had no choice they were the last ones). I was told these guys are good Discus tank mates so I want to see if it is true.

Well They are doing well with Discus fish. Blue Rams totally ignore Discus and Discus fish has no interest on them. Blue Rams do fight with each other since all of them are same gender but nothing nasty. Theses Blue Rams are too peaceful to be cichild ! But what worries me is how aggerive they could get when spawning. They might to good as Cardinal tetra as Discus tank mates but still they are good. They Blue Rams look very beautiful !

Here is a Pretty German Blue Ram Male !

How to choose Tank mates for Discus Fish

Choosing tank mates to Discus Fish is something you have to do carefully. Adding other fish into your Discus aquarium would end up with disasters. There are few things you have to concerned about before start looking for tank makes for Discus fish.

• Discus are from tropical warm water rivers from South America. So they prefer high water temperatures . This is one reason why Discus shouldn't kept with gold fish and Koi types. You should look for those fish types who are ok with high water temperatures.

• Discus can be bullied by any fish and can get stressed pretty easily. Regular stress would make Discus fish starve and death. So should put those aggressive Cichlids types with them such as Oscar, Jewels, Mabuna etc

• Since Discus are slow moving fish some fish might like to peck them. avoid such type of fish like guppies or barbs.

• Keeping those tank mates as a group like 6-7 would able to keep their attention from Discus to their own kind.

• Don't use huge fish with Discus. You will end up with bunch of stressed out Discus fish.

• Look for peacefully fish like Neon Tetra, Cardinal Tetra, Corydora etc. But Its better keep them as a school of fish like at least 5-6 fish.

Discus Tankmates

Discus are not great for community aquariums that's a fact. I'm sure there are many who would disagree but Keeping Discus only is the best way to keep then in safe, shape and healthy. I have seen Discus live with Oscars and other unbelievably aggressive fish but those are isolated and I can say "Lucky" cases. Even thought the Title say "Discus Tank mates" I want to point out few things why should Discus keep only with themselves.

• Discus is an Slow moving fish. They are not always quick about food so they might find it hard to fight for food with their other tank mates.

• Discus fish can be aggressive among themselves but they usually get bullied by other type of fish. They are not good at surviving under this kind of situations.

• Discus fish easly get diseases than other fish. So Those illnesses which might not hurm other fish a lot might effect badly for Discus fish. Specailly worm problems.

• Discus prefer clean water They don't like messed up or dirty water conditions. Its prefer hard to keep Aquarium water clean with most of other fish types.

• Discus get stressed quickly and easly.

• to grow fast Discus needs quality food which might eaten up by other fish who don't need this type of food to grow. Also you can feed young Discus upto 8 times a day which wont be great for most of other fish types.