Discus - Giant brillian turquoise 14cm Show

 

🐟 Discus Fish Care Guide (Fresh water)

 

1. Tank Requirements

• Minimum tank size
  
• Juveniles: 120L (30 gal) for a small group
• Adults: 200–250L+ (55–65 gal) recommended
• Height matters – Discus are tall fish
• Bare bottom tanks are easier for beginners
  Planted tanks are fine only with stable parameter

2. Water Parameters (Very Important)

 

Parameter	Ideal Range
Temperature	28–30°C
pH	6.0–6.8 (can adapt to 7.0 if stable)
GH	1–6 dGH
KH	1–3 dKH
Ammonia	0 ppm
Nitrite	0 ppm
Nitrate	<10–20 ppm

⚠️ Stability is more important than “perfect numbers”

 

 

 

• Use over-filtered systems
  
• Canister filter + sponge filter combo works best
• Gentle flow (Discus hate strong current)
• Weekly water changes
  
• Adults: 30–50% weekly
• Juveniles: 30–50% 2–3× per week

 

💡 Always match temperature + pH during water changes

 

 

4. Feeding Discus

Feed small amounts, multiple times a day

 

Recommended foods:

• High-quality Discus pellets
• Frozen:
  
• Bloodworms
• Brine shrimp
• Mysis shrimp
• Occasional beef heart mix (advanced keepers only)

 

❌ Avoid:

• Cheap flakes
• Overfeeding (main cause of disease)

 

 

 

5. Tank Mates (Choose Carefully)

Best companions

• Cardinal tetras
• Rummy nose tetras
• Corydoras (warm-tolerant)
• Small plecos (careful with waste)

 

Avoid

• Aggressive fish
• Fast fin-nippers
• Cold-water species

 

 

 

 

6. Group Size & Behavior

• Keep minimum 5–6 Discus
• They establish a hierarchy
• Single or pair only → stress & bullying

🧠 Shy fish = usually stressed or bullied

 

7. Common Discus Problems

 

 

 

Issue	Cause
Dark color	Stress, poor water
Hiding	Bullying or wrong tank mates
White poop	Parasites
Not eating	Stress or internal issues
Hole in head	Poor water + nutrition

➡️ 90% of Discus problems = water quality

 

 

8. Plant & Decor Tips

• Use driftwood and tall plants
• Best plants:
  
• Amazon swords
• Anubias
• Java fern
• Avoid sharp decorations

9. Beginner Mistakes to Avoid

 

 

 

 

 

❌ Small tanks

❌ Skipping water changes

❌ Mixing Discus with aggressive fish

❌ Overstocking

❌ Sudden parameter changes

10. Who Discus Is Best For

 

 

 

✔ Intermediate–advanced aquarists

✔ Patient keepers

✔ People willing to maintain water quality

❌ Not ideal for “low-maintenance” setups