Name

Discus

Introduction:

This fish has long been considered the fishkeepers trophy or crown. It was once believed that only the most advanced hobbyists could keep this fish happy and fluorishing. If you observe the Discus' performance in retail shops where they are largely neglected, this belief seems to be borne out. However, they are simple to keep as long as their basic needs are met.

Description:

The fish is usually sold as a smaller specimen of approximately 1-2 inches in length. They are almost perfectly circular when viewed from the side, and when seen face-on they are flat as a pancake. They are available in a limitless array of colors, from black, to red, to turquoise and electric blue. They can be red and blue striped, red and yellow striped...as I said, the colors which are now available are almost limitless. There are now color varieties which are electric green and one which is blood red.

Behavior:

The fish is intensely territorial when they have found a suitable location to breed or a partner they are compatible with. Smaller fish are entirely peaceable until they pair off or discover some ideal territory. When they pair off, I have had the "odd-man-out" severely damaged and deprived of food. In larger tanks, the single fish can simply move away from the pair and harmony is restored. In nature, they will be found in deep water, lining up as many as fifty fish [vertically] under a floating log in the relatively still backwaters of the Amazon river.

Requirements:

Water must be very clean with a low organic load, and most importantly, WARM..82 degrees would be considered a good minimum and 90 deg F is a good maximum, although I am aware of Discus keepers who are at least reporting good luck at 100+ deg F. There is no need to keep the water this warm. The warmer water carries less oxygen and impedes the function of nitrifying bacteria. The water should have a neutral to low pH for best results. Still, Discus do not mind hard water as long as the pH is low. Tannins in the water, from Tetra's Blackwater Extract, or Kent's Discus Blackwater, or even from a piece of submerged Welbywood or Drift Wood will make the fish much more at-home and much more aggressive feeders. While this fish can tolerate relatively low oxygen tensions, it thrives much better if the water is well aerated. They do not like currents, however. Live plants are deeply appreciated by Discus.

Feeding:

I am having best results feeding my Discus exclusively from a basket feeder a fare of frozen Brine Shrimp, Blood Worms and Prime Reef. Since the water they are kept in is very warm, their metabolism demands feeding every 6-8 hours to avoid becoming "pinched-headed".

Precautions:

Discus commonly develop complications from intestinal Hexamitiasis and Cestodiasis and will lose prodigiuos weight before the diagnosis is made. Discus cannot handle many commonly used medications, including Potassium permanganate and Fluke Tabs. Some of the best treatments for Discus health problems are Salt for parasitisms, Droncit for Fluke infestations and Tapeworms, and Metronidazole for intestinal Hexamitiasis.

(c) 1998 JVS All rights reserved. All photos by the author.