Discus
Symphysodon spp.
Photo: Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
Show fish with show requirements: 82–86°F, huge water changes, and no cowboys in the tank. Not a beginner project.
Show fish with show requirements.
Sensitive to water quality swings — needs pristine, stable, warm water.
In the tank
- A planted discus tank is the look people steal for photos.
- Water
- freshwater
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Swims
- Midwater
- Adult size
- 8 in
- Minimum tank
- 50 gal
- Group
- School of 6+
- Temperature
- 82–88°F
- pH
- 6.0–7.0
- Diet
- Frozen beef heart mixes, discus pellets, and frequent small meals.
- Beginner
- Not a first fish
How to keep them
- 82–86°F, huge water changes, no cowboys.
- Frequent small meals.
Tankmates
Cardinals, rams, corys — only if the water is already discus water.
Avoid
Beginner mixed communities and unheated rooms.
Check tankmates · Stocking calculator
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