Discus fish are native to South American riverine habitats, and are a gorgeous representative of the cichlid family. Their name comes from their shape, which is round, tall, and fairly flat. The colors of wild varieties are blue or green patterns on brown, but aquarium-bred varieties come in a number of patterns and hues. They are not generally suited for the beginner.
Cichlid fishes are a group with species from all over the world. Caring for their young, as eggs and/or young, is one of the defining characteristics of the group. Depending on the species, only the male, only the female, or both parents may provide this care. Aggression, in varying intensities, tends to be another trait cichlids share. Discus are some of the calmest cichlids.
A large enough aquarium is essential. For a single specimen that is part of a community, medium-sized tanks can be used, but any time you are going to have multiples, you will need something bigger. Although they are very peaceful for cichlids, they are part of this group, which is renowned for their aggression, and they may occasionally pick on each other.
The waters where these fish come from are soft and very acidic. This made them hard to keep in the past. Many specimens whose families have been tank-raised for generations now are capable of thriving in less extreme water conditions, however. They do still display a fondness for vegetation and planted tanks.
These cichlids pair together to raise their young, and both male and female help out. They are unique in that they produce a slime from their skin which feeds the young, called fry, for the first few days or weeks of life. Not all strains are good parents, and most pairs take a few broods to get it right. Non-parental specimens in the tank may eat the fry, or cause the parents to do so.
Tank mates should be chosen carefully, as these oddly-shaped animals cannot swim particularly fast to get away from other aggressive fish. Their specialized water requirements mean that tank mates should be compatible not only in terms of temperament, but also from water with similar characteristics.
Keeping discus fish is a fun and rewarding hobby for those who are willing to work at it. If you are new to aquarium keeping, perhaps starting with a different species might be a good idea, but anyone can learn to keep them given enough time. They do require some special attention and care, however.
Cichlid fishes are a group with species from all over the world. Caring for their young, as eggs and/or young, is one of the defining characteristics of the group. Depending on the species, only the male, only the female, or both parents may provide this care. Aggression, in varying intensities, tends to be another trait cichlids share. Discus are some of the calmest cichlids.
A large enough aquarium is essential. For a single specimen that is part of a community, medium-sized tanks can be used, but any time you are going to have multiples, you will need something bigger. Although they are very peaceful for cichlids, they are part of this group, which is renowned for their aggression, and they may occasionally pick on each other.
The waters where these fish come from are soft and very acidic. This made them hard to keep in the past. Many specimens whose families have been tank-raised for generations now are capable of thriving in less extreme water conditions, however. They do still display a fondness for vegetation and planted tanks.
These cichlids pair together to raise their young, and both male and female help out. They are unique in that they produce a slime from their skin which feeds the young, called fry, for the first few days or weeks of life. Not all strains are good parents, and most pairs take a few broods to get it right. Non-parental specimens in the tank may eat the fry, or cause the parents to do so.
Tank mates should be chosen carefully, as these oddly-shaped animals cannot swim particularly fast to get away from other aggressive fish. Their specialized water requirements mean that tank mates should be compatible not only in terms of temperament, but also from water with similar characteristics.
Keeping discus fish is a fun and rewarding hobby for those who are willing to work at it. If you are new to aquarium keeping, perhaps starting with a different species might be a good idea, but anyone can learn to keep them given enough time. They do require some special attention and care, however.
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