Discus Fish 10cm

Discus fish, belonging to the genus Symphysodon, are famous South American cichlids known as the "King of the Aquarium" due to their vibrant colors, majestic circular shape, and calm behaviors. Native to the floodplains of the Amazon River Basin, these intelligent fish grow between 5 to 9 inches and can live up to 15 years in proper setups. While they are prized by hobbyists globally, they require strict attention to water quality and temperature, making them better suited for intermediate to experienced keepers.

Core Aquarium Requirements

Tank Size: Minimum 55 to 75 gallons (200+ liters) for a small group. Taller tanks are highly preferred to accommodate their deep, flat body shape.

Water Temperature: Keep water consistently warm between 85°F and 86°F (29°C to 30°C).

Water Parameters: Target a pH of 6.0 to 7.0 and soft to moderately soft water. Stability is far more crucial than hitting a perfect number.

Water Flow: Use efficient filtration like a heavy-duty canister filter but keep the water current minimal to mimic their natural slow-moving river habitats.

Maintenance: Conduct regular 30% to 40% weekly water changes to keep nitrate and ammonia levels at absolute zero. Modern domestic strains do not require daily 100% changes like wild strains once did.

Social Behavior & Tank Mates

Discus are highly social schooling fish and must be kept in groups of at least 5 to 6 fish. Keeping them in smaller numbers causes severe stress, hiding, and bullying.

Because they require high temperatures and have peaceful, timid personalities, choose tank mates carefully. Good options include:

Cardinal Tetras or Rummy-Nose Tetras (can handle warm water).

Sterbai Corydoras (excellent bottom-dwelling cleaners that tolerate heat).

German Blue Rams (peaceful, heat-loving dwarf cichlids).

Avoid: Aggressive eaters or fast-swimming fish that will steal food or stress the discus.

Diet & Unique Parenting

Discus are omnivorous grazers that benefit from a highly varied diet fed 2 to 3 times a day. They eat high-quality cichlid flakes, granules, frozen bloodworms, and brine shrimp. While some breeders use beef heart to fast-track growth, others avoid it due to long-term digestion issues.

They are also famous for their remarkable parental care. After their eggs hatch, the parents secrete a nutritious, specialized mucus from their skin which the fry feed on directly.

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