I have a 35G planted tank with rocks and drifwood. The tank has been running for about 6 weeks now and I am slowly adding new fish into the tank.
( Currently got a few tetras and 2 ottos )
As I want to add discus to the tank I am maintaining a reasonable higher temp at around 28-29C ( 83-84F ?..not sure the conversion)
For bottom cleaners I was thinking about adding a couple of Sterbais to the tank.
Do you recommend Sterbais or any other catfish which will be compatible with Discus, also don't destroy plants and good bottom cleaners....
Sterbais are fine with discus, however they would be best in a group of five or more.
Also, I wouldn't have discus in a 35G tank, thats far too small. I wouldn't have them in a tank of less than 60 US Gallons as they need space, can grow large and should ideally be in groups.
Have a quick google for some specialist discus forums and do a little research before setting your heart on them. They are expensive fish and I wouldn't reccomend them to anyone unless they have read up and learnt about them first.
I would have a read at here http://www.forum.ukdiscus.co.uk/index.php? and http://www.dph.nl/ for info
I've been keeping discus for over a year and when I started up, I researched into which catfish would work well. The Sterbai was recommended by many discus keepers because they tolerate higher temperatures that discus require. I keep my discus at 84 F, and the Sterbai are fine. They are quite active and since they are thriving, I would assume all is well. Paul is right about the size of the tank, the rule of thumb is 10-15 gallons per discus fish, and they like to be in groups of at least 5, so you need at least a 50 to 75 gallon tank. If you have a breeding pair, then I know of folks who keep the pair in 20 or 29 gallon tanks for the purpose of breeding, but they change the water 50% per day or more. To raise a nice show tank of discus, you have to go at least 75 gallons. If you have a 30 gallon, you might get 3 smaller fish, but as they grow, they will squabble a bit and you will end up with one that is stressed out (I have witnessed this in my quarantine tank). When a discus gets stressed, it develops Hexamita and can turn dark and die. They are a finicky fish, and quite expensive, so it is not worth risking it. If you have a group, the aggression is spread out, and they seem to be less aggressive overall. I have about 12 in a large tank, and they don't squabble or nip at all. Some of them did in the smaller quarantine tank.
