Cichlids · Symphysodon

Discus

Symphysodon aequifasciatus · Floodplain lakes of the Amazon basin

Photo: H. Zell, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Discus (Symphysodon aequifasciatus) is a freshwater fish from Floodplain lakes of the Amazon basin, where it lives in flooded forest habitat. Adults reach about 18 cm (7.1 in). Keep it at 28–31 °C (82–88 °F) and pH 5–7, in calm water. It is peaceful and does best in a group of 5 or more. Feed meaty foods: frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp and quality sinking pellets.

At a glance

Water temperature

28–31 °C 82–88 °F

5–7 soft, acidic water

Adult size

18 cm 7.1 in

Swims

Mid-water mostly in open water

Keep together

5 or more a shoal feels safe

Current

Calm still or slow water

Food

Meaty foods

Temperament

Peaceful

≈ Every value here is an estimate from typical hobby ranges. We're checking them against sources.

Where it comes from

Home water

Floodplain lakes of the Amazon basin

Amazonas

Lives in flooded forest habitat.

The dot is placed on its home rivers, not an exact collecting site. Map: Natural Earth.

Tank mates

Checked against a roomy 300 L planted tank with low flow and plenty of caves. Your own tank may change the answer: try it in Your tanks.

Good together

Keep apart

Need different temperatures

Amano shrimp Black skirt tetra Celestial pearl danio Cherry barb
Want fast, strong current

Angelicus L136 Big white spot L142 Blue phantom L128
Need different temperatures and want fast, strong current

Butterfly hillstream loach

In the hobby

In stock now

Not in stock at any store we track.

Tanks with this fish

No shared tanks have this fish yet. Share yours from Your tanks.

From keepers

Notes appear here when a keeper shares a tank with this fish and writes about it.

Questions keepers ask

How big does a Discus get?

About 18 cm (7.1 in) as an adult.

What temperature does a Discus need?

28–31 °C (82–88 °F).

What pH does a Discus need?

pH 5–7.

Does a Discus need to be kept in a group?

Yes. Keep at least 5.

Is the Discus aggressive?

No. It is peaceful with fish that suit the same water.

What does a Discus eat?

Feed meaty foods: frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp and quality sinking pellets.

Where does the Discus come from?

Floodplain lakes of the Amazon basin.

What fish can live with a Discus?

Good tank mates include Candy stripe (L015), Zebra (L046), Boeseman's rainbowfish, German blue ram, Ember tetra.

All the numbers

Temperature min (°C)	28	Estimate
Temperature max (°C)	31	Estimate
pH min	5	Estimate
pH max	7	Estimate
Adult size (cm)	18	Estimate
Flow	Low	Estimate
Habitat	floodplain	Estimate
Smallest happy group	5	Estimate
Temperament	Peaceful	Estimate
Diet	Carnivore	Estimate
Typical price min (CAD)	60	Estimate
Typical price max (CAD)	200	Estimate

Some values are estimates from typical hobby ranges and haven't been checked against a source yet.