These lovely, graceful fish will draw everyone's attention to your aquarium.
Discus are members of the Cichlidae family and earn their "King of the Aquarium" title thanks to their magnificent colours and regal appearance. Their laterally compressed, disc-shaped bodies and vibrant hues often cause people to mistake these
freshwater tropical fish for
marine species.
Discus Care
At least three Discus species have been recognised, although the scientific classification of several variants is still debated.
Discus have a reputation for being difficult to keep because wild-caught specimens require very specific water chemistry and diets. However, all Discus offered at Livefish are captive-bred, making them far more adaptable to prepared foods and a wider range of water conditions.
Although more forgiving than wild strains, Discus are still best suited to aquarists with prior fishkeeping experience.
Selective breeding has produced a huge variety of colours and patterns, with new variants appearing regularly.
Captive-bred Discus pair and spawn readily, though inexperienced parents may consume their own eggs - especially when housed with other fish.
After hatching, fry feed on a nutritious body mucus produced by the parents until they become free-swimming.
Discus Natural Habitat
Discus inhabit the lowland Amazon River basin and its tributaries, especially the Rio Negro, thriving in floodplain lakes and seasonally flooded forests.
As water levels rise and fall dramatically throughout the year, Discus move into calm, sheltered areas among submerged branches.
They are often found around tangled fallen trees known as "galhadas".
Discus prefer still or gently flowing water and avoid strong currents.
Discus Behavior & Compatibility
Discus are generally gentle, though like many cichlids, they can show aggression toward one another - especially during pair bonding or spawning.
Shy or bullied fish may struggle to compete for food and should be relocated if necessary.
Dedicated Discus keepers often avoid mixing them with too many other species.
A shoal of Emperor Tetras, Cardinal Tetras, peaceful Loaches such as the Clown Loach, and dwarf cichlids like Balloon Blue Rams or Balloon Electric Blue Rams all make good tank mates. These species also tolerate the warm, soft, acidic water Discus require.
Small catfish species such as Corydoras also work well. However, avoid keeping Discus with very small fish that could be swallowed.
Many keepers prefer to house Discus in a dedicated aquarium for best results.
Housing Discus & Aquarium Set-up Tips
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Discus Tank
Adult Discus can grow quite large and require a tank of at least 284 litres (75 gallons). Bigger is always better for maintaining stable water quality.
To reduce maintenance and maintain excellent water conditions, we recommend following the - 2.5 cm of fish per 7.5 litres guideline when stocking.
A minimum group of five Discus is recommended. If you raise juveniles in large groups, rehome or redistribute them as they mature. Below are recommended stocking levels for fully grown Discus:
| Recommended Max Fish Count |
Tank Volume |
| 5 Discus |
284 litres (75 gallons) |
| 8 Discus |
341 litres (90 gallons) |
| 11 Discus |
454 litres (120 gallons) |
| 14 Discus |
568 litres (150 gallons) |
| 19 Discus |
795 litres (210 gallons) |
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Base
Discus forage near the bottom, so the substrate should consist of sand or fine to medium smooth gravel.
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Foliage
Include broadleaf aquatic plants and vertically positioned driftwood to mimic their natural environment.
Floating plants may also be used to provide shade and security.
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Water
Discus thrive in warm, soft, acidic water with a gentle current.
The pH should remain between 6.0-7.0, with hardness between 1-4 dKH (18-70 ppm). You can monitor these levels using water quality testing kits.
Ideal temperature: 27.7-30°C (82-86°F). Use a reliable Aquarium Heater to maintain stability.
Although captive-bred Discus can be kept in dechlorinated tap water, the best results come from using RO or deionised water treated with a water conditioner such as Easy Balance Plus.
Excellent water quality is essential. Perform weekly water changes of 10-25% and vacuum the substrate regularly.
Feeding & Care
In the wild, Discus consume plant matter, debris, worms and small crustaceans.
They are omnivorous and readily accept specialised foods such as Dainichi Discus Baby Pellets and Vitalis Discus Pellets. Supplement their diet with Spirulina flakes, algae wafers, cichlid foods, shrimp pellets and occasional frozen or live foods.
Feed only what they can eat within 2-3 minutes, once or twice daily. A varied diet promotes better health and colouration.
Great Reasons to Keep Discus
- Discus instantly become the focal point of any tropical aquarium.
- They come in an incredible range of colours and patterns.
- They are ideal for experienced keepers interested in either breeding or simply enjoying their beauty.
- Possibly the most visually stunning freshwater aquarium fish available.
Will you choose one of our Assorted Discus Packages, a striking Golden Sunset Discus, or a vibrant Solid Blue Diamond Discus to be the next star of your aquarium?
