Stendker Discus
Symphysodon aequifasciatus
The Stendker Discus (Symphysodon aequifasciatus) is a semi-aggressive fish that's a good step up once you have a little experience. Give it a tank of at least 280 litres (74 US gallons), water held at 79-86°F, and a pH of 6.5-7.5. Always keep a group of at least 6 - they feel safest in numbers.
Captive lifespan reflects typical experience in a home aquarium, not maximum recorded age; genetics, sourcing, and care vary.
Natural distribution
South America
- South America
Regional colours match the stocking calculator's origin map.
Stendker Discus Tank Setup
Give them at least 280 litres (74 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 79-86°F and a pH around 6.5-7.5. Always keep a group of at least 6 of their own kind - kept alone or in pairs they tend to turn shy, nippy, or wash out in colour. They reach about 20 cm as adults, so don't be misled by the small juveniles sold in stores.
What Do Stendker Discus Eat?
They're meat-eaters, so feed good-quality frozen or gel foods rather than relying on generic flake. Go easy on portions - leftover protein fouls the water faster than plant foods do.
Stendker Discus Tank Mates
Hardier captive-bred Discus line from Germany. More forgiving of water conditions than wild-type. Still needs warm, clean water. The Stendker Discus is semi-aggressive, 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. It's a shoaling fish, so settle a group of 6 or more of its own kind before adding anything else - a stressed, lonely fish is far more likely to nip or hide. 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 Stendker Discus Good for Beginners?
Doable once you test water regularly and catch problems before fish look sick. If this is your first tank, pick something more forgiving and come back later.
Stendker Discus - frequently asked questions
What size tank do Stendker Discus need?
Stendker Discus need a tank of at least 280 litres (74 US gallons). A bigger tank is always easier to keep stable, and gives them more room to settle in and behave naturally.
How many Stendker Discus should I keep together?
Keep a group of at least 6. Stendker Discus are a shoaling species and become stressed, lose their colour, or hide when kept singly or in pairs.
What water parameters do Stendker Discus need?
Keep them at 79-86°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 Stendker Discus eat?
Stendker Discus are meat-eaters. Feed good-quality frozen or gel foods rather than relying on generic flake, and don't overfeed. Feed small amounts once or twice a day, and remove anything they don't eat.
Are Stendker Discus good for beginners?
Stendker Discus are best for keepers with a little experience. They are manageable once you test water regularly and catch problems early; a complete beginner may prefer something more forgiving first.
Common mistakes with Stendker Discus
- Buying fewer than 6 - Stendker Discuss need a proper school to feel secure; isolated individuals hide, fail to colour up, or become stressed.
- Underestimating tank size - the minimum footprint is 280 litres (74 US gallons); impulse buying into a smaller tank leads to stress and shortened lifespan.
- Cool tap water - this species needs 79-86°F; cold acclimation suppresses immune response and often triggers disease outbreaks.
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 Stendker 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
