Help! Discus royal rumbling in 6ft planted tank

[Kris]

Hi guys,

please help. I have 3 orange pigeon discus in my 6 ft tank for some time.
yesterday bought another 3 red pigeon discus and introduce them into the tank.
however the 3 pioneers are chasing the new comers non stop. How can I reduce their aggression? I would have thought discuss are shoaling fish and rather peaceful? No?

my 6ft tank is a community and planted tank.

appreciate any advice.

[sthh]

Hi guys,

please help. I have 3 orange pigeon discus in my 6 ft tank for some time.
yesterday bought another 3 red pigeon discus and introduce them into the tank.
however the 3 pioneers are chasing the new comers non stop. How can I reduce their aggression? I would have thought discuss are shoaling fish and rather peaceful? No?

my 6ft tank is a community and planted tank.

appreciate any advice.

Discus are better kept in group of 6 of higher. The reputed Hans Discus recommends a community of 10 discus to keep them happy.
They bicker amongst themselves to establish pecking order. If you do not have enough discus, they will all pick on the weakest one, which will slowly become weaker and sicker. But if you have 6 or more discus, the aggression is spread out to more fishes, and the weaker fishes get to eat and some respite from bullying.

Let the discus establish their pecking order whenever you bring in new discus. This will go on for awhile, and it's better to let them sort it out.

[Kris]

Thanks Sthh,

mine does not attack a particular weakling. Mine will inter fight with one another. You can't figure out who is the dominant one. Really like royal rumble. Just bought 2 more after your advice.

[mordrake]

Take out all the discus. Try to move things around. Hardscape etc.
then return the new ones first. Wait until settled then add the older ones.
The original territories established earlier are gone and now it's a reboot.
They'll be squabbles while they re-establish heirachy and territories but shouldn't be too serious.