No photo yet
Sign in to submit the first photo
Discus
Symphysodon spp.
Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii›Cichlidae
📍 Amazon River, Brazil
Discus are considered the 'king of the aquarium' for their spectacular circular shape and brilliant colours. They are demanding fish requiring pristine water, warm temperatures, and frequent water changes. Best kept in species tanks or with very peaceful, warm-water tankmates.
Care Guide
Diet
Discus are carnivorous and require high-protein foods including quality discus pellets, frozen bloodworms, and live or frozen brine shrimp. Feed small amounts once daily, offering only what they can consume in a few minutes. Beef heart can be offered occasionally but should not be a staple due to fat content and potential water quality issues.
Behavior
Discus are peaceful, intelligent fish that exhibit hierarchical social structures within groups. They are relatively sedentary mid-water swimmers that spend considerable time near plants and décor. They are sensitive to sudden changes, loud noises, and poor water conditions, making them poor candidates for community tanks with aggressive or boisterous species.
Breeding
Breeding discus in captivity is challenging and requires expert-level care including pristine water conditions, stable temperatures of 28-31°C, and a dedicated breeding pair. Pairs form monogamous bonds and will lay eggs on vertical surfaces, with both parents guarding fry. Fry feed on parental mucus secretions for the first week before accepting microfood, making this process demanding and rarely successful for casual hobbyists.
Tank Mates
Peaceful algae eater with identical warm-water requirements and non-aggressive behavior
Small, peaceful schooling fish that thrive in warm, soft acidic water matching discus needs
Peaceful schooler with similar water parameter requirements and non-threatening behavior
Useful for cleanup but may be predated upon; use only in established, well-fed discus tanks
Common Diseases
Discus Plague (Hexamita)
Rapid weight loss, white stringy feces, lethargy, loss of color, hole-in-the-head lesions
Perform 50% water changes daily, treat with metronidazole or fenbendazole, maintain pristine water quality and optimal temperature
Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis)
White spots on body and fins, scratching against décor, rapid breathing, lethargy
Raise temperature gradually to 30-31°C, perform daily water changes, use ich medication if necessary; avoid salt as discus are sensitive
Bacterial Fin Rot
Frayed or deteriorating fins, discoloration at fin edges, lethargy
Improve water quality with frequent changes, treat with antibacterial medication, ensure optimal temperature and low ammonia/nitrite
Nutritional Deficiency
Faded coloration, stunted growth, curved spine, lethargy despite good water conditions
Provide varied, high-quality diet including quality pellets, frozen foods, and occasional live foods; ensure adequate vitamin supplementation
Community Photos
0 photosPhotos are added when members log a tank with this species and upload a photo in their tank journal. Add your own tank to contribute.
No photos yet — add a tank with Discus to be the first!
Sign in to vote.
Varieties
Tips from the community 💡
0 tipsReal experiences, care advice, and keeper notes. Finn learns from these too.
Sign in to share your experience.
No community tips yet — be the first to share your knowledge!
Quick Facts
- diet
- Carnivore – beef heart, discus pellets, bloodworms, brine shrimp
- lifespan
- 10–15 years
- max size
- 20 cm (8 in)
- tank size
- 50 gallons minimum per pair
- temperament
- Peaceful but sensitive; hierarchical
Water it likes
- ph
- 5.5–6.5
- ammonia
- 0 ppm
- nitrate
- <10 ppm
- hardness
- 1–8 dGH
- temperature
- 82–88°F (28–31°C)