Discus
Symphysodon aequifasciatus
The Discus (Symphysodon aequifasciatus) is a peaceful fish that's rewarding to keep. Give it a tank of at least 245 litres (65 US gallons), water held at 79-90°F, and a pH of 6.5-7.5.
Captive lifespan reflects typical experience in a home aquarium, not maximum recorded age; genetics, sourcing, and care vary.
Natural distribution
Slow blackwater tributaries of the central Amazon basin.
- South America
Regional colours match the stocking calculator's origin map.
Discus Tank Setup
Give them at least 245 litres (65 US gallons). Cichlids are territorial and produce plenty of waste, so strong filtration and some rocks or wood to break up sight lines both help. Aim for 79-90°F and a pH around 6.5-7.5. They reach about 20 cm as adults, so don't be misled by the small juveniles sold in stores.
What Do Discus Eat?
They're not fussy eaters - feed a varied diet, rotating good-quality dry, frozen, and gel foods rather than the same thing every day, and match the food size to their mouths.
Discus Tank Mates
Requires a large tank and good filtration. The Discus is peaceful, which is the first thing to weigh up when you choose tank mates. At around 20 cm fully grown, it needs tank mates that can hold their own against its size and appetite. Before you buy, run your full stocking list through our stocking calculator. It weighs temperament, adult size, and water needs together, which a single species page can't do on its own.
Are Discus Good for Beginners?
Care demand varies by line and setup. Match the care level to how often you actually test and change water.
Discus - frequently asked questions
What size tank do Discus need?
Discus need a tank of at least 245 litres (65 US gallons). A bigger tank is always easier to keep stable, and gives them more room to settle in and behave naturally.
What water parameters do Discus need?
Keep them at 79-90°F with a pH of 6.5-7.5, steady rather than chased to an exact figure. In a cycled tank, ammonia and nitrite should both read 0 ppm, with nitrate kept low through regular water changes.
What do Discus eat?
Discus are omnivores and aren't fussy eaters. Feed a varied mix of good-quality dry, frozen, and gel foods, and match the food size to their mouths. Feed small amounts once or twice a day, and remove anything they don't eat.
Are Discus good for beginners?
It depends on the setup. Match Discus to how often you actually test water and perform maintenance.
Common mistakes with Discus
- Underestimating tank size - the minimum footprint is 245 litres (65 US gallons); impulse buying into a smaller tank leads to stress and shortened lifespan.
- Cool tap water - this species needs 79-90°F; cold acclimation suppresses immune response and often triggers disease outbreaks.
Guides that pair with this fish
- Discus with angelfish - Risk stacking tall cichlids together.
- Angelfish care guide - Overlapping tall-cichlid husbandry habits.
- Fish dying despite good params - Hidden stress paths sensitive fish reveal.
Building a community? Run the full list through the stocking calculator before you add anything else.
Great tank mates
Chosen from temperament, overlapping temperature/pH bands, plausible minimum tank footprints, and size versus yours in App-aquatic data. Hobby nuance always wins - verify stocking and temperament before purchasing.
Fish to avoid mixing with Discus
These well-known species are commonly sold alongside this fish but are not recommended tank mates - verify before purchasing.
- Pea PufferPredator - Pea Puffer will eat or injure smaller tank mates
- Betta (Male)Predator - Betta (Male) will eat or injure smaller tank mates
- Serpae TetraFin nipper - will shred the fins of peaceful fish
