Post by MADMIKE on Sept 24, 2006 19:14:14 GMT -5
The Discus
Scientific Name: Symphysodon aequifasciata
Home Range: Brazils streams and tributaries
Max Size: 8"
Minimum Tank Size: 30 Gallons
Temperament: Peaceful
Temperature: 79-88°F
pH: 5.8-6.5
Diet: Small Meaty Foods
Swimming Zone: Middle
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General Information
The Discus is a slow moving fish that comes from the tea colored brazillian waters, it is a very docile fish that seems to just float around the tank. This fish's shape is almost circular, and has a laterally compressed body. The discus comes in a wide variety of colors each more striking than the next. Once a fairly rare fish, breeders have since made this fish quite common throughout the hobby.
A very graceful and demanding species, it is however not quite as complicated to keep as once believed to be. These fish do however require plenty of space to swim and you should try to allow at least fifteen gallons of tank per discus. Never keep these guys with fast moving fishes...truely this fish is better off in a species only tank. The discus enjoys a tank decorated with plenty of large rocks, driftwood and roots to give them a place to retreat to if they are uncomfortable or spooked. You may also add in artificial and/or live plants to further mimic their natural enviroment. Further more plan on paying special attention to the quality of your water, as these fish will not tolerate foul conditions. Regular tank maintanence and testing will be required. The water should be very soft with a pH around 6-7. Using peat moss as part of your filtrations is a good way to help keep your pH down for people with natually high pH in their tap. The use of the driftwood as a decoration with also help stablize a lower pH. Try to keep the temperature between 79-88F for best results.
The Symphysodon aequifasciatus is a carnivore and as such will need a diet rich with protein. Feed your Discus a very high quality diet consisting of both live, and frozen foods while maintaining them on a stable diet of sinking discus pellets. Foods such as mosquito larvae, beefheart, and brine shrimp are very good choices for these fish.
Breeding Information
There is no 100% scientific sure way for sexing this fish. Breeding is done at about the 5" size, pairs are noticable because they chase other discus away from them. The pair will also display to each other fins extended fully shaking their dorsal and anal fins at their mate. A suitable spawning site is a piece of PVC pipe or slate, the eggs are lain and reared by the parents because the fry feed from a mucus coating on the parents skin for several weeks of life. Eggs wont hatch if the water is less than soft. Fry are weak and demanding to rear accepting only the smallest meaty foods such as baby brine shrimp.
Written in Part By: Jewel Scott
Scientific Name: Symphysodon aequifasciata
Home Range: Brazils streams and tributaries
Max Size: 8"
Minimum Tank Size: 30 Gallons
Temperament: Peaceful
Temperature: 79-88°F
pH: 5.8-6.5
Diet: Small Meaty Foods
Swimming Zone: Middle
Donate a Picture for this Profile
General Information
The Discus is a slow moving fish that comes from the tea colored brazillian waters, it is a very docile fish that seems to just float around the tank. This fish's shape is almost circular, and has a laterally compressed body. The discus comes in a wide variety of colors each more striking than the next. Once a fairly rare fish, breeders have since made this fish quite common throughout the hobby.
A very graceful and demanding species, it is however not quite as complicated to keep as once believed to be. These fish do however require plenty of space to swim and you should try to allow at least fifteen gallons of tank per discus. Never keep these guys with fast moving fishes...truely this fish is better off in a species only tank. The discus enjoys a tank decorated with plenty of large rocks, driftwood and roots to give them a place to retreat to if they are uncomfortable or spooked. You may also add in artificial and/or live plants to further mimic their natural enviroment. Further more plan on paying special attention to the quality of your water, as these fish will not tolerate foul conditions. Regular tank maintanence and testing will be required. The water should be very soft with a pH around 6-7. Using peat moss as part of your filtrations is a good way to help keep your pH down for people with natually high pH in their tap. The use of the driftwood as a decoration with also help stablize a lower pH. Try to keep the temperature between 79-88F for best results.
The Symphysodon aequifasciatus is a carnivore and as such will need a diet rich with protein. Feed your Discus a very high quality diet consisting of both live, and frozen foods while maintaining them on a stable diet of sinking discus pellets. Foods such as mosquito larvae, beefheart, and brine shrimp are very good choices for these fish.
Breeding Information
There is no 100% scientific sure way for sexing this fish. Breeding is done at about the 5" size, pairs are noticable because they chase other discus away from them. The pair will also display to each other fins extended fully shaking their dorsal and anal fins at their mate. A suitable spawning site is a piece of PVC pipe or slate, the eggs are lain and reared by the parents because the fry feed from a mucus coating on the parents skin for several weeks of life. Eggs wont hatch if the water is less than soft. Fry are weak and demanding to rear accepting only the smallest meaty foods such as baby brine shrimp.
Written in Part By: Jewel Scott
