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Disclaimer:  Petinfo4u.com is provided as a free pet care resource and is not intended to replace veterinary care, advice or treatment.  Your first resource should always be your veterinarian. 

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DISCUS

Pet Rating System:  1= Lowest   5 = Highest

Discus	1	2	3	4	5
Ease Of Care
Temperament
Disease Prone
Cost of Upkeep
Lifespan

Overall Rating: 

Our rating of "3 Stars" for Discus is based on the fact that they are not a beginner fish.  They have specific water requirements which can be difficult to regulate.  They are also known to be susceptible to disease.  However, their beauty makes the effort worth it!

Species Information   

Discus are from the Amazon and are a type of cichlid.  Their name was derived from their round, disc like shape.  Discus are highly prized for their beautiful color variations and brooding methods.  As with all cichlids, both parents care for the young...it is very touching to see the young swimming against their parent's bodies for protection.  The Discus are also unique because they produce a "slime" within the first few days of giving birth which the young feed on. 

The common colors of the Discus are found in  brown, blue, green, red and heckel.  All of which have wonderful pattern and color variations highly prized by breeders and collectors.

In the wild, Discus live in rivers where the water is very warm, 85-88 degrees.  They live among rocks and plants which they use for shelter.   Their optimum water quality is very soft with a pH of 5.5-6.5.  Most tap water is too "hard" (meaning having too many minerals) for Discus.  Providing RO water or reverse osmosis is considered best.  The reverse osmosis removes everything from the water.  Be sure to add a specially designed water conditioner for Discus such as Kent Discus Essential Water or Seachem Discus Buffer.  The best defense for poor water quality and diseased Discus are frequent water changes, at least every week.

Feeding Discus is also a challenge...they can be picky eaters.  When you purchase your Discus, ask what they are being fed.  Most Discus will enjoy live food such as bloodworms, larvae, and brine shrimp and can be fed a flakes as a staple.  Any local pet store will have a specific Discus blend for maintaining optimum color and health.

Discus are a community fish meaning they are not aggressive, however, they should not be placed in a tank with a variety of inhabitants.  They like to be in groups and prefer to be the only show in town.

When choosing an aquarium, keep in mind that discus can get quite large.  An adult Discus is about 5-8 inches in diameter...if you have a group of Discus, they can quickly fill the tank.  Be sure to choose an aquarium with the adult size in mind.  We recommend no smaller than 50 gallons.

Welcome to the beautiful world of Discus!  Check  out these websites for more information:

http://www.peteducation.com/category_summary.cfm?cls=16&cat=1921

http://www.rockymountaindiscus.com/Discus_Fish_Care.htm

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DISCLAIMER:  The information contained in this website is not intended to be a substitute for Veterinary Care.  If you have any questions or problems, always consult with your Veterinarian.