Discus
Symphysodon aequifasciatus
Family: Cichlidae • Origin: South America
Discus are the undisputed kings of the freshwater aquarium. Round, colorful, and regal. Demanding but the ultimate showpiece.
Min Tank
55 gal
Max Size
8"
Temperature
82-88°F
pH
5.5-6.5
Lifespan
10 years
School Size
5+
Swim Level
middle
Hardness
1-4 dGH
peacefulexpertomnivoreschooling
Care Tips
- • Needs very warm water (84-88°F)
- • Daily water changes recommended
- • Keep in groups of 5+
- • Extremely sensitive to water quality
- • Feed multiple times per day
Feeding: High-protein foods: beefheart, frozen bloodworms, discus-specific pellets. Multiple feedings daily.
Compatibility Notes: Needs very warm (84°F+), soft acidic water. Only keep with species that tolerate these conditions.
Tank Setup & Water Parameters
Tank Requirements
- Minimum Tank Size
- 55 gallons
- Recommended Tank Size
- 75 gallons
- Swimming Level
- middle
- Minimum School Size
- 5+ fish
Water Parameters
- Temperature
- 82–88°F
- pH Range
- 5.5–6.5
- Hardness (dGH)
- 1–4
- Water Type
- freshwater
Behavior & Temperament
- Temperament
- peaceful
- Aggression Level
- 2/5
- Schooling
- Yes
- Territorial
- No
- Fin Nipper
- No
- Predatory
- No
- Diet Type
- omnivore
- Growth Rate
- slow
Needs very warm (84°F+), soft acidic water. Only keep with species that tolerate these conditions.
Breeding
- Breeding Type
- egg layer
- Breeding Difficulty
- difficult
- Lifespan
- 10 years
Ideal For
55 gallonplanted tankcenterpiece fish
Compatible Tank Mates
View all →
Cardinal Tetra
Paracheirodon axelrodi
73-81°FpH 4.5-6.510+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+2"
Rummy Nose Tetra
Hemigrammus rhodostomus
75-84°FpH 5.5-720+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+2.5"
Sterbai Corydoras
Corydoras sterbai
75-82°FpH 6-7.515+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+2.75"
Otocinclus Catfish
Otocinclus vittatus
72-79°FpH 6-7.510+ gal
peacefulschooling 4+2"
Kuhli Loach
Pangio kuhlii
75-86°FpH 5.5-715+ gal
peacefulschooling 5+4"
German Blue Ram
Mikrogeophagus ramirezi
78-86°FpH 5.5-720+ gal
peaceful3"
Similar Species
Uaru Cichlid
Uaru amphiacanthoides
77-84°FpH 5.5-775+ gal
peacefulschooling 3+10"
Earth Eater Satanoperca
Satanoperca leucosticta
77-84°FpH 6-775+ gal
peacefulschooling 3+10"
Electric Blue Acara
Andinoacara pulcher
72-82°FpH 6.5-7.530+ gal
peaceful6"
Keyhole Cichlid
Cleithracara maronii
72-79°FpH 6-7.520+ gal
peaceful4"