tank mates for discus

[yanke]

hi all
I am getting some discus for my 6x18x20 (about 450L.with a sump)
5 of them size 2 are about 15-17cm and 3 are about 10-12cm
I am going to have plants and wood in the tank
what will be the best fish to put in with them
I was thinking of to tetras but don't know what one will be the best for them
as I don't want them to end up as food
any help will be good
thanks yanke

[jimstreet]

I plan on cardinal tetras as they can take higher water temps than neons.

[Mavzta]

Yes do your research because not only do you not want anything to be eaten by the discus but also you don't want anything annoying or nip your discus. Also discus are peaceful slow moving fish. Don't get anything that doesn't take a break sometimes ie guppies. I wouldn't suggest flying foxes as I've seen mine nip my discus so I'm trying to get them out but they're not easy to catch. I had rummy nose in there to but I didn't like the movement so I moved them out too.
So, I have torpedo barbs, various catfish, corries, cardinals, clown loaches. Mainly lower to bottom swimmers so the discus (the kings) can have the top. Good luck...

[Nathan5]

Hi yanke black neon tetras are the only tetras that have survived with my big discus but they have to be full grown tetras they a bit biger from all the neon's.I bought 15 from the LFS and had 9 survive to maturity the discus like to sneak up on them and stunt them with a strong peck.What I did with my display tank is I bought 200 glass shrimp from a fish farm fairly cheap they were a constant supply of live food but you need a lot of hiding places hollow logs plants for some to survive and they just keep breeding fun to watch as well,they survive all medication very hardy shrimp.

[yanke]

thanks for that
I am getting 30 cardinal tetras for the tank
and lots of plants and I have 5pcs. of wood also
now to get the ph. down lol
it comes out of the tap at 8.2 it is nice for my Africans
but not for the discus I have some peat moss in there now
and wood so it will come down slow
I have 3weeks before I pick up the fish so by there it will be at 6.6
that is what he keep them at
one more thing can I put a pair of blue rams in with them the wife love them
yanke

[Nathan5]

Rams will do fine no problems