Scientific name:

Symphysodon aequifasciatus aequifasciatus

Symphysodon aequifasciatus axelrodi

Symphysodon aequifasciatus haraldi

Symphysodon discus

Common name:

Discus

Sexing:

Difficult until breeding then by the genital papillae, the males are pointed and the female is round and fatter.

Habitat:

The Amazon and tributaries South America

Food:

All types of live and most frozen foods are accepted, pellet foods are eaten after being accustomed, flakes are rarely eaten.

Care and maintenance:

A large, tall aquarium is needed to keep discus, they prefer a lightly planted tank with a soft substrate, use some rock work and driftwood but leave ample swimming area, lighting should be subdue and some large leaved plants such as Amazon swords will provide shaded areas. They are territorial only during spawning they also form nuclear families; otherwise a peaceful schooling fish that can be kept with a variety of tank mates including larger tetras and corydoras.

Water conditions:

Soft water <4°dGH, pH 6.0 to 6.5

Temperature:

28°-30°c, 79°-86°F

Size:

To 8” (20cm)

Tank size:

48” and 20” tall (120cm and 50cm)