Common name/s: Discus (Blue, Green, Brown, hybrid Discus), Pompadour Fish

Scientific name: Symphysodon discus, Symphysodon aequifasciatus aequifasciatus, Symphysodon aequifasciatus haraldi, Symphysodon discus willischwartzi

Family: Cichlidae

Origin: South America, black water Amazon/tributaries

Maximim size: 8-10"

Care: Moderate, easy when acclimatised and Discus specific basic care is strictly observed. Not forgiving of mistakes with water parameters, therefore not a beginners fish. Prone to bacterial build up in water, and Hole in the Head disease (Hexamatia). Both can be avoided largely through attentive care of the water.

Small fish should be kept in groups (the larger the better) older fish can be kept singly or in pairs, groups in large tanks. Mature fish prefer soft acidic water (wild fish will thrive in pH down to 4.5) while young fish need slightly hard water for proper growth. Most tank bred Discus will accept a pH up to 7.6 after carfeful acclimatisation. At any pH above 7, extra special care to eliminate/prevent ammonia is crucial. Water must be warm, 86F/30C is ideal, with gentle water flow. Provide plenty of cover with bogwood, roots and carefully chosen plants that can tolerate heat.

Tankmates should be non-aggressive, unimposing fish. Avoid very active fish, for first time keepers, species tank is preferred.

Water changes of 50% tank volume per week is recommended, with more frequent, smaller changes being preferred (ie 20% every second day).

Feeding: Frozen foods such as brine shrimp and bloodworm are readily accepted, but do not contain enough protein for vital energy. Most accept quality flake and pellet food, check protein content around 50%. Beef heart or turkey heart are readily accepted but are messy, recommended for bare bottom tanks only. Tetra Prima granules highly recommended. Vareity and balance is the key.

Sexing: Very difficult except at breeding times, males will develop protruding breeding tube which is short and pointed, females breeding tube is longer and thicker, rounded. All other methods of sexing are unreliable.

Breeding: May spawn if conditions are favourable, raising young fish can be difficult. Rows of eggs will be laid on flat surfaces such as vertical bogwood and large leaf plants. Both parents care for the eggs and fry, parents will darken in colour as a mucous is excreted from the skin, the young fish will eat this mucous as a first food. Newly hatched brine shrimp will be taken as they develop.

Comments: Beautiful fish that requires dedication. Not quite as difficult as its reputation, but beginners should make the inevitable mistakes with hardier (and less expensive!) fish before moving on to Discus. Calm and observant demeanour, Discus will look at you as much as you look at them! Some form of tap water filtration method is highly recommended (Reverse Osmosis being ideal) to remove metals that can affect nervous system and other pollutants.

Here are 2 pics of my wild caught Symphysodon discus- The Heckel Discus.

These fish are 3 inch long



After a month in the tank:


This post has been edited by blue acara: Jan 29 2008, 03:24 AM