The discus fish (Symphysodon) is one of the most sought-after aquarium fish available on the market today, and it’s no wonder why; these colorful and graceful fish are beautiful to look at, but also very friendly and personable with their owners. They are the best fish for home aquarium.
Unfortunately, they aren’t always easy to care for in-home aquariums due to the unique requirements of their care; luckily, though, there are some simple steps you can take to make sure your discus fish are happy and healthy in your home aquarium.
Then it becomes the best fish for home aquariums.
Discus fish is a large variety of freshwater fish belonging to several genera in the family Callichthyidae. They are native to South America but have been introduced and now thrive in other tropical areas worldwide. The disc refers to their distinctive high arched backs.
Why Discuss Fit Best Fish for Home Aquariums?
Discus fish are a beautiful addition to any home aquarium.
They have a wide array of colorful and metallic patterns.
Their large eyes make them appear to pop out of their tanks.
Discus fish can grow up to 10-12 inches in length. But they do best when they are kept in an aquarium that’s at least 55 gallons.
When you’re deciding which discus fish you want to purchase.
It’s important to take into account how your room temperature affects discus fish as well as their oxygen requirements and diet.
While these fish are considered moderate care fish, if you do not provide them with adequate space or diet, they will not survive long after being added to your tank.
ALSO READ: Guide on Wild Type Discus
What are the Best Water Parameters for Discus?
Discus fish can thrive in water with a pH of 6.5 to 7.2 and hardness levels from 1 to 10 dH, but they can adapt to a wide range of water conditions, including even marine aquariums.
Discus needs warm water, so aim for about 80 degrees Fahrenheit (26 degrees Celsius).
If your tank temperature drops below 70 F (21 C), consider using a heater or buying discus that have been acclimated from tropical fish stores.
It’s possible to keep discus in a freshwater aquarium; just make sure there are no sharp rocks or exposed roots where they can get injured by thrashing around when you feed them.
How to Set Up a Discus Tank?
Discus fish are gorgeous fish that are fairly easy to keep.
A discus tank can look amazing, but it requires time and research to set up a proper environment.
Here’s how you should go about setting up your discus tank and making sure you have everything you need. First, it’s important to create an environment that’s perfect for your fish.
This means carefully considering both temperature and lighting conditions; Discuses like a temperature between 25° C and 29° C (77° F to 84° F) with mild currents, but they can also adapt to cooler or warmer temperatures if necessary—just make sure it’s consistent in your tank.
ALSO READ: Discus Aquarium- Beginners Guide
How to Feed Discus Fish?
Discus fish are very active swimmers, which means that you’ll want to ensure they have a lot of space to swim around.
While their relatively small size means they don’t need a huge aquarium, you will still need a tank with plenty of room to spread out.
It should be at least 2 feet deep and 2-3 times longer than it is wide.
The water should be filtered and changed regularly as discus fish tend to produce a lot of waste, just like any other freshwater fish.
Since discus prefers warmer temperatures, you’ll also want a heater or heater/light combination in your tank as well.
ALSO READ: Guide on Discus Fish Care Feeding
How Often Should you Feed Discus?
Discus fish are omnivores that feed on both plant and animal matter.
They prefer live food such as bloodworms, mosquito larvae, and daphnia, but they also eat flakes and pellets.
They will scavenge if they have to, which means if you’re not diligent about feeding them on a consistent schedule, they may eat tank decorations or other aquarium inhabitants.
When choosing an aquarium filter for discus fish, keep in mind that these fish are messy eaters who produce a lot of waste because of their voracious appetites.
For example, one small discus can consume up to 30 percent of its body weight per day in food!
ALSO READ: What Do Discus Fish Eat?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) -Best Fish for Home Aquariums
There are many different types of fish, so picking one that will work well in a home aquarium may seem like a challenge.
For example, some are difficult to care for and need special lighting, equipment and nutrition.
Fortunately, discus fish aren’t among them.
In fact, they’re perfect pets to start with if you’re new to aquariums.
Here are five things you should know about discus fish as they make great candidates for beginning aquarists:
1) Discus fish are social creatures. You can keep several in an aquarium as long as it’s large enough (45 gallons or larger).
2) Discus can grow quite large (up to 14 inches long), but that takes time and proper care.
Nextaaqua is a unique ornamental fish farm in India. We mainly focus on the production, raising, and grooming of Discus Fishes and their tankmates. Contact us for more.
