🐟 Discus Fish Care Guide (Symphysodon spp.)

🌍 Overview Discus are known as the “Kings of the Aquarium” for their striking colors and graceful swimming. Native to the Amazon Basin, they prefer warm, soft, acidic water and thrive in calm, heavily planted aquariums.

🏠 Tank Setup

• Tank Size: Minimum 50 gallons for a small group, ideally 75+ for long-term care.
• Temperature: 82–86°F (28–30°C) – stability is key!
• pH: 6.0–7.0
• Water Hardness: Soft (1–8 dGH)
• Décor: Tall plants, driftwood, and open swimming space.
• Filtration: Powerful but gentle flow; sponge filters are great for fry tanks.

🐟 Tank Mates

• Peaceful companions: Cardinal Tetras, Rummynose Tetras, Corydoras, small dwarf cichlids.
• Avoid aggressive or fin-nipping species.

🥗 Diet

• High-protein, varied diet:
• Discus pellets, beef heart, brine shrimp, bloodworms
• Supplement with frozen and live foods for breeding and color vibrancy.
• Feed 2–3 small meals daily to reduce waste.

🧽 Maintenance

• Frequent water changes (30–50%) are crucial for health.
• Maintain stable temperature and water chemistry.
• Quarantine all new fish before adding to a Discus tank.

🍼 Breeding Tips

• Discus form mated pairs; best to purchase a group and allow pairing.
• Use a separate breeding tank (bare-bottom) with soft, warm water.
• Parents often guard eggs and fry; fry will feed on parents’ slime coat initially.

✅ Quick Reference