No need to worry if this has been discussed before - I'd love to hear your thoughts.
I recently stumbled upon a video and theory that I found really captivating.
Would be great to get your input on this - might even give it a shot in my downstairs tank.
Discus & Goldfish
Re: Discus & Goldfish
Re: Discus & Goldfish
I've given it a shot before, and in my experience, it's worked out pretty well. But I think it's only feasible with a couple of fancy goldfish - any more than that and the discus get pushed out when it comes to food, and the tank ends up overwhelmed with goldfish waste. I'm not convinced goldfish are strictly cold-water fish, I think they're more adaptable than that, and can handle a pretty wide temperature range. As for keeping them with discus, I'm just not a fan - it looks off to me.
I've given it a shot before, and in my experience, it's worked out pretty well. But I think it's only feasible with a couple of fancy goldfish - any more than that and the discus get pushed out when it comes to food, and the tank ends up overwhelmed with goldfish waste. I'm not convinced goldfish are strictly cold-water fish, I think they're more adaptable than that, and can handle a pretty wide temperature range. As for keeping them with discus, I'm just not a fan - it looks off to me.
Re: Discus & Goldfish
Re: Discus & Goldfish
Originally posted by garden
Yes I have tried it in the past. It actually works really great (in my opinion) but only 2 or 3 fancy goldfish would work. Too many and the discus wont get food and the tank will be filled with goldfish poop. I personally don't believe goldfish can stay only in coldwater. I think they can adapt to a very wide range of temp. I don't like keeping discus with goldfish just because it looks weird (to me).
I'm thinking of just one goldfish, like in the video. I used to keep fancy goldfish and Shubunkins in my cement fountain out front - they did great in 90+ degree water for months. Spring to fall, no problem. I've always agreed with the guy in the video - goldfish aren't cold water fish, they're just fish. I had Koi in CA that lived in super warm water - they loved it when it got hotter outside.
Originally posted by garden
Yes I have tried it in the past. It actually works really great (in my opinion) but only 2 or 3 fancy goldfish would work. Too many and the discus wont get food and the tank will be filled with goldfish poop. I personally don't believe goldfish can stay only in coldwater. I think they can adapt to a very wide range of temp. I don't like keeping discus with goldfish just because it looks weird (to me).
I'm thinking of just one goldfish, like in the video. I used to keep fancy goldfish and Shubunkins in my cement fountain out front - they did great in 90+ degree water for months. Spring to fall, no problem. I've always agreed with the guy in the video - goldfish aren't cold water fish, they're just fish. I had Koi in CA that lived in super warm water - they loved it when it got hotter outside.
Re: Discus & Goldfish
Re: Discus & Goldfish
1 goldfish would be perfect. I've always kept more than one, but that's not to say they can't do well alone.
I completely agree with you on this. My experience with keeping goldfish in extreme temperatures has been similar - they've always thrived. It's interesting to note that in many Asian countries, keeping discus with goldfish is quite common. I think the idea that it's impossible to do so is more of a Western notion.
1 goldfish would be perfect. I've always kept more than one, but that's not to say they can't do well alone.
I completely agree with you on this. My experience with keeping goldfish in extreme temperatures has been similar - they've always thrived. It's interesting to note that in many Asian countries, keeping discus with goldfish is quite common. I think the idea that it's impossible to do so is more of a Western notion.
Re: Discus & Goldfish
Re: Discus & Goldfish
I'm convinced they can adapt to the temperatures, but personally, I wouldn't pair one with my Discus.
I'm convinced they can adapt to the temperatures, but personally, I wouldn't pair one with my Discus.
Re: Discus & Goldfish
Re: Discus & Goldfish
Rob's doing a great job, I must say. I brought home a fantail goldfish yesterday for the downstairs tank, just to see how this experiment would pan out.
So far, Rob's thrilled. I'm not convinced those goldfish are the sharpest tools in the shed, but they're entertaining. This little guy's orange and white with a tri tail - absolutely adorable. I've always had a soft spot for goldfish, especially the tri-tails.
The discus seem to have taken a liking to him. Initially, they thought he was a snack and gave him a little nip. Once they figured out he was there to stay, they started swimming alongside him. Now he's got the run of the tank and is busy cleaning up the bottom like a pro.
He joins the others for meals and seems to have been accepted into the group. It's quite unusual, but I'm intrigued. I'll keep you posted on how things progress.
Rob's doing a great job, I must say. I brought home a fantail goldfish yesterday for the downstairs tank, just to see how this experiment would pan out.
So far, Rob's thrilled. I'm not convinced those goldfish are the sharpest tools in the shed, but they're entertaining. This little guy's orange and white with a tri tail - absolutely adorable. I've always had a soft spot for goldfish, especially the tri-tails.
The discus seem to have taken a liking to him. Initially, they thought he was a snack and gave him a little nip. Once they figured out he was there to stay, they started swimming alongside him. Now he's got the run of the tank and is busy cleaning up the bottom like a pro.
He joins the others for meals and seems to have been accepted into the group. It's quite unusual, but I'm intrigued. I'll keep you posted on how things progress.
Re: Discus & Goldfish
Re: Discus & Goldfish
I've always been under the impression that goldfish are known to harbor a lot of pathogens. Is this something that's generally true, or does it mainly apply to the lower-quality ones you often find at local fish stores?
I've always been under the impression that goldfish are known to harbor a lot of pathogens. Is this something that's generally true, or does it mainly apply to the lower-quality ones you often find at local fish stores?
Re: Discus & Goldfish
Re: Discus & Goldfish
I also had goldfish (left over feeders) in a tank for years. They're waste machines, producing a very high bio load. Daily water changes would be necessary to keep up. If not, it could be a problem. I'm tempted to try this, but I'm guessing feeders wouldn't be the best choice. Would koi work, or are there other small goldfish options? I quarantine everything, but it seems you didn't.
I also had goldfish (left over feeders) in a tank for years. They're waste machines, producing a very high bio load. Daily water changes would be necessary to keep up. If not, it could be a problem. I'm tempted to try this, but I'm guessing feeders wouldn't be the best choice. Would koi work, or are there other small goldfish options? I quarantine everything, but it seems you didn't.
Re: Discus & Goldfish
Re: Discus & Goldfish
<|start_header_id|>Re: Discus & Goldfish
Re: Discus & Goldfish
Originally posted by lunar
Yeah I also had gold fish (left over feeders) in a tank for years. They are waste machines! Very high bio load. But if your changing the water daily I guess that won’t be a problem. But if your not you may want to start.
This is tempting. I’m guessing feeders are no good. Will koi work? also I guess you didn’t qt it. Me I qt everything. Are there any small gold fish?
That is the QT I put it in. I already had 3 discus in it as well.
I wouldn't use feeder goldfish and especially not koi. Koi take a dump that looks like a dog has been there. I got the fancy fantail type. Only one per tank. I checked my water this morning and it was perfect.
So far, so good.
Yep, lots of WCs but only 50% at a time now.
<|start_header_id|>Re: Discus & Goldfish
Re: Discus & Goldfish
Originally posted by lunar
Yeah I also had gold fish (left over feeders) in a tank for years. They are waste machines! Very high bio load. But if your changing the water daily I guess that won’t be a problem. But if your not you may want to start.
This is tempting. I’m guessing feeders are no good. Will koi work? also I guess you didn’t qt it. Me I qt everything. Are there any small gold fish?
That is the QT I put it in. I already had 3 discus in it as well.
I wouldn't use feeder goldfish and especially not koi. Koi take a dump that looks like a dog has been there. I got the fancy fantail type. Only one per tank. I checked my water this morning and it was perfect.
So far, so good.
Yep, lots of WCs but only 50% at a time now.
Re: Discus & Goldfish
Re: Discus & Goldfish
The video raises some concerns for me. It seems to suggest that goldfish are being used to reduce the frequency of water changes by breaking down waste. However, when I look at the discus in the video, I notice signs of subpar water quality. The discus appear stunted, with larger eyes and ratty fins, and what looks like HITH damage.
If you're considering keeping goldfish with discus, that's your call. Just make sure to follow proper QT procedures. My advice to new discus keepers would be to focus on learning how to keep discus healthy and thriving before introducing goldfish to the mix. This way, you'll have a baseline to measure the impact of the goldfish on your discus.
The video raises some concerns for me. It seems to suggest that goldfish are being used to reduce the frequency of water changes by breaking down waste. However, when I look at the discus in the video, I notice signs of subpar water quality. The discus appear stunted, with larger eyes and ratty fins, and what looks like HITH damage.
If you're considering keeping goldfish with discus, that's your call. Just make sure to follow proper QT procedures. My advice to new discus keepers would be to focus on learning how to keep discus healthy and thriving before introducing goldfish to the mix. This way, you'll have a baseline to measure the impact of the goldfish on your discus.