Discus fish - tips for proper breeding in a home aquarium

One of the most beautiful aquarium fish are discus fish, the breeding of which can be difficult, even for experienced aquarists. To date, there is no 100% accurate and universal step-by-step guide for breeding these fastidious aquarium residents, but in this article you will receive a lot of useful information that will help you get healthy discus offspring with a high degree of success. Each pair of fish is unique and so is their reproduction process, so all the aquarist has to do is study information about the species, its natural habitat conditions and recreate these conditions in his fish tank.

Discus fish require very careful treatment. In addition to the quality of water and food - which must literally be at the highest level, these fish require the creation of a special atmosphere around the aquarium. Peace and quiet - this is what should reign in the house where discus cats live! There should be no sharp noises, vibrations, flickering or bright colors near the aquarium.

Discus. Maintenance in aquarium conditions

Discus fish are characterized by a gregarious lifestyle, so usually 5-7 heads or even more are populated into the aquarium at the same time. They are not aggressive towards other fish, but they can compete with each other. Most aquarium lovers advise providing them with separate maintenance. Some believe that aggression occurs due to the increased temperature characteristics of the aquatic environment. This is not true; it is quite possible to find a large number of species that are ready to enjoy the soft, heated water environment. The risk is that often the same angelfish spread invasions and pathogens that in no way manifest themselves in other fish, but have an incredibly negative effect on discus fish. But this pet is not cheap and requires greater reliability. In addition, some benthic species, especially various locariaceae, who like to rip off secretions from the skin of the flat body of discus fish, often cause significant harm to the fish, leaving scrapings and large spots on the body. It is best to create natural conditions in the aquarium: dim the brightness, glue a black background surface and place a fruit snag in the pond. There is a common belief that there should be no vegetation in a container with discus fish. This is a misconception. It’s just that in a densely planted aquarium environment it is difficult to perform a high-quality siphoning of the soil layer, which can affect the purity of the aquatic environment, to which sumphozodons are so sensitive. It is also necessary to use specialized varieties of aquatic vegetation; they will become filled with greenery and delight the eye even at elevated temperatures. And yet the selection participants are available: Cryptocoryne Bartera, Amazon, Ammania or the magnificent red Barclay. Plants are a natural biological filter and a pleasing pearl for the entire water surface of the aquarium, but you should not overdo it with “gardening”; you need to preserve free spaces for your pets to move freely. Illumination that will suit the vegetation and will not confuse exotic residents is 0.4-0.5 watts per liter.

Discus Contents

There was an opinion that discus fish are very finicky and difficult to keep in an aquarium. In fact, all problems can be easily solved; the main thing is to find out in time what conditions to create for these beautiful fish. You need to select a suitable aquarium based on the number of fish - it is desirable that the discus have enough space for swimming. For an adult, at least 40 liters are needed. The width of the aquarium should be at least half a meter. The tank must be maintained at a constant temperature of 28 to 35 degrees - discus fish are thermophilic.

For representatives of this species, adequate lighting is very important. As for the soil, its presence is not necessary, since it makes cleaning the aquarium much more difficult

Plants need to be selected correctly, since at such high temperatures they will require intense lighting. This can be Cryptocoryne, Amazon broadleaved, horizontal Echinodorus, dwarf Amazon, floating horn fern, Riccia fluitans, Java moss and others. You can also use stones, driftwood and grottoes as decorative elements.

The aquarium must have constant filtration; you can install ozonizers or ultraviolet light to purify the water from harmful microorganisms. You need to change 30-40% of the water regularly; on special discus farms, specialists change up to 90% of the water per day. As for the acidity of the water, you need to maintain it at a level of 5.5-6.5 pH. The temperature should not fall lower than 27 degrees, you need to be especially careful when transporting fish - a small mistake can cause the death of discus.

Most aquarists agree that discus should not be fed with live food; the same bloodworms or tubifex can become a source of disease. To feed individuals, live food is frozen, after being treated with a formaldehyde solution and washed thoroughly. You can also feed discus fish with homemade food made from a mixture of shrimp meat and beef heart. Ready-made dry food is sold in pet stores, but is not cheap. If possible, you need to diversify the diet of the inhabitants of the aquarium - add plants (kamomba, hygrophila, limnophila) to their food, which the fish will pluck, and dry fortified food. Adult fish are fed three times a day, fry up to 6-8 times a day.

Feeding

Among frozen foods, discus prefer artemia, coretra, shell shrimp, and bloodworms. There are dry foods designed specifically for discus. They support healthy digestion of these fish and also enhance the brightness of their color.

Discus red melon

Discus fish in the aquarium of the Aqua Logo salon

Keeping discus fish in an aquarium

Discus fish photo

Discus fish content photo

Discus fish are one of the most difficult tropical fish to keep and are not recommended for beginner aquarists. One of the most difficult stages of keeping discus fish is the process of their acclimatization in a new aquarium. And due to their large size, it is worth acquiring a large aquarium in advance so as not to further injure the fish during transplantation.

To keep discus fish, you need a large aquarium with a capacity of at least 50 - 80 liters per individual with good water flow and effective filtration. Fish prefer warm, soft, slightly acidic water, which can often be achieved by using a reverse osmosis filter. And in aquariums with live plants, it is recommended to install a carbon dioxide supply.

Some aquarists place discus fish in aquariums with a bare bottom (without substrate) and consider this method of keeping to be the best, although not very beautiful.

The absence of a substrate makes it easy to clean the tank from feces and rotting debris. This is a good way to keep the water quality stable and perfect.

Since discus are a schooling fish, they need to be kept in a group of at least 6 individuals.

Unlike many members of the cichlid family, discus fish are peaceful fish. Representatives of the Characin species (neon tetras, cardinal tetras, ember tetras, harlequin tetras and rummynose tetras), dwarf cichlids, ancistrus, angelfishes (angelfish) are suitable as neighbors. At the same time, you should refrain from being close to Corydoras Catfish, because these fish are prone to carrying internal parasites and can infect discus fish.

Discus fish are very shy fish. They feel comfortable in secluded corners, densely planted with plants, which in turn should have water parameters similar to those of discus fish (Vallisneria, Nymphea tiger, Anubias, Echinodorus, Ambulia, Schisandra, Thai fern, Hornworts, etc.).

Remember, discus are very sensitive to fluctuations in water parameters and even small amounts of nitrates and ammonia. Maintaining the required water parameters is the key to a long life for fish!!!

What to feed discus fish?

Healthy fish readily accept virtually any food offered - be it

• alive
• frozen
• dry
• granulated
• or flaky

(however, when giving new food, you must remember that the discus must get used to it and this period can last several days). Of course, a variety of live foods will provide your pets with the entire spectrum of nutrients, vitamins and microelements. But there is always a risk of introducing parasites and pathogens into the aquarium. Artificial food produced by reputable companies looks preferable - all the ingredients in them are optimally balanced, and they are also free from harmful substances and parasites. Nevertheless, discus breeders often use feed mixtures prepared independently. Not the least role in this is played not only by the issue of economy (such mixtures are always significantly cheaper than branded ones), but also by the opportunity to add various additives to these feeds, incl. medications. You just need to remember that homemade food should not be the only thing in the discus diet. It is advisable to alternate them with disinfected frozen bloodworms, etc. There are many recipes for preparing food, and every aquarist has his own “cherished” one. But a general approach might look like this:

• 500 g beef heart (or equal parts beef heart, squid and other seafood)
• 100 g beef liver
• 200 g carrots
• 200 g parsley or spinach, etc.
• 20 g brewer's yeast and
• 80 g egg yolk

Fresh, carefully chopped carrots and parsley (they enrich the mixture with ballast substances) are mixed with heart and liver, passed through a meat grinder. Yeast, egg yolk, and, if necessary, other components are added to the resulting mass, for example, crushed calcium glycerophosphate tablets (1 tablet per 200 g of feed). The mixture is then laid out in the form of thin plates, sealed in polyethylene and deep frozen. In this form, the product can be stored for quite a long time and fed to discus in a slightly defrosted form. Components such as beef liver, yeast, egg yolk, etc. are in the mixture in the form of very small fractions and, as they thaw, are carried by the flow of water throughout the entire aquarium. To prevent water contamination, many discus bottles gel the mixture with agar-agar or gelatin. Jelly foods are stored not in the freezer, but in the refrigerator, and for no more than 3 days.

Discus diseases

The main reason for their occurrence is non-compliance with maintenance rules

With good care, when attention is paid to the quality of water, lighting and nutrition, stress (the cause of many diseases) is practically eliminated. Discus fish are aquarium fish that are very sensitive to even minor changes.

Main problems faced:

• Intestinal diseases. The cause may be poor quality food or a sick neighbor. The fish becomes lethargic and refuses to eat. The excrement looks like white threads. Purulent ulcers appear on the head and fins. An accurate diagnosis can only be established through laboratory testing.
• Intestinal obstruction, dropsy. They arise as a result of poor nutrition. The fish's abdominal cavity is swollen, and its eyes may be bulging. In the first case, the discus takes food until the intestines rupture, after which it dies. Dropsy is characterized by a complete lack of appetite.
• Bacterial infection. The symptoms of this disease cannot be ignored - the edges of the fins turn white, the mucous membrane thickens, the color of the body becomes darker. The fish loses its appetite and hides in a corner. If rescue measures are not taken in time, its eyes gradually become cloudy, and its fins and tail begin to decompose. Treated with antibiotics.
• Parasitic diseases and fungal infections are common in discus fish.
• Gill and skin fluke worms can lead to a very serious condition for fish. Special products sold in pet stores help in the fight against them.

Editorial: Hottonia palustris

Features of keeping discus fish

Discus fish are quite whimsical, and their maintenance requires certain strict conditions. First of all, when purchasing these fish, you need to provide them with easy acclimatization to a new place. Since the fish are schooling, it’s worth buying several of them. But even compliance with all the conditions does not guarantee trouble-free placement of discus in a new home - the fish are not at all stress-resistant.

In the photo there is a discus leopard fish

One of the main requirements for keeping discus fish is a large aquarium volume. Since these fish are quite large and inhabit them in groups of six or more individuals, there should be enough space for them - from 250 liters of water. The height of the aquarium must be at least 50 cm and the width at least 40 cm.

Narrow screen aquariums are not suitable, since an adult discus simply cannot turn around normally in them. As for the requirements for the water itself, it is better to use the water that comes from your tap, letting it sit for 48 hours to remove free chlorine.

Many people believe that since discus live in soft water in nature, then the aquarium should have the same. But, firstly, this creates certain difficulties with replacement, because you need to replace at least 30% of the water with clean water weekly, and secondly, hard water is even safer - parasites that are destructive to discus fish do not survive in it.

Pictured is a discus diamond

But the fish themselves feel quite fine at a pH of more than 8.0. In addition, it is easier to provoke fish living in such water to reproduce by making the water soft and creating other necessary conditions. As for the water temperature, it should be at least 29C⁰.

Another important condition for keeping discus fish is the cleanliness of the aquarium. From compliance with this parameter, several more requirements follow: refusal of plants inhabiting the aquarium, constant (preferably after each feeding) cleaning of the soil or abandonment of it, installation of a good water filter

An important factor in the successful keeping of discus fish will be to ensure they have a quiet life; you should not traumatize the weak psyche of these fish with loud sounds, knocking, or sudden movements. Therefore, it is better to place the aquarium in a quiet, secluded place, where there is enough diffused light, but there are no bright sunlight.

In bright light, discus fish will constantly feel discomfort. The bottom of the aquarium should also be dark. You can use high-quality plastic driftwood, branches, and plants as decoration. Discus fish love to hide in various shelters and stand under tree branches.

Discus breeding

Discus fish belong to spawning fish, and their reproduction has a number of features. The fish become sexually mature at the age of 1.5 to 2 years, and can reproduce for only 2-3 years.

Like many fish that lay eggs, discus form a stable pair from an early age. If spawning occurs between fish of different colors, then the offspring will surprise with their colors. New and unusual varieties of discus are obtained spontaneously without much difficulty.

For breeding, it is better to purchase a flock of several fish. In such an environment, the resulting pair will soon become noticeable. Prospective breeders are placed in a separate container with a volume of 100 liters or more, in which various decorative items (stones, driftwood, ceramic shards) are placed. The spawning tank is not placed in the light; lighting should be around the clock, but dim

The couple is protected from stress; the water in the aquarium is changed frequently, but very carefully. The optimal temperature for reproduction should be from 28 to 30 degrees

It is important to monitor the water hardness: the water should be soft. In very hard water, egg fertilization may not occur.

Discus fish begin to spawn in the late afternoon. Before this, they begin to clean the spawning area and twitch their fins. The eggs are laid on a large leaf or any smooth surface in the aquarium. At one time, the female produces 200-400 eggs. The clutch is immediately fertilized by the male.

On the 3rd or 4th day the fry appear. Over the next 4 days they begin to swim. In the first days of life, babies are fed with a special secretion that is secreted on the skin of their parents. Both parents take part in feeding: as soon as the skin secretions end on the skin of one fish, another approaches. The babies feed like this for 2 weeks, after which the adult fish are transplanted into a common aquarium.

How to properly breed discus fish

Having created conditions in the aquarium that are close to natural, you can introduce a flock of healthy discus into it. Having reached sexual maturity, the fish will create a pair. As a rule, the age at which males mature is 1 year, females mature a couple of months earlier . But this is provided that the water in the aquarium is constantly kept at 30°C and the fish have enough space; if the conditions are not met, the fish grow more slowly and reach maturity by 1.5 years.

Reproduction of discus fish is a labor-intensive process that all breeders face. To obtain offspring, the formed pair, provided that they are healthy fish with a bright color, should be placed in a spawning tank. For this, a small aquarium is suitable, in which you need to install a clay tube; it is on it that the fish will lay eggs and spawn. The height of the tube should not be more than 30 cm. Spawning can also occur in the ground. In this case, the couple begins to prepare a place for themselves - to create a “nest” in which the eggs will be laid.

The difference between a female and a male

There is no clear division by gender, but there are several distinctive features:

Male and female discus

• Males are usually larger than females;
• The frontal part of the male is wider;
• The ends of the dorsal and anal fin are more elongated in males, while in females they are shorter;
• The fins located on the belly of males are wider;
• Males are less mobile;
• The body of females has a more rounded structure.

It is not at all difficult to notice a pair ready for spawning - the fish will swim together and constantly twitch their fins.

How to prepare a spawning tank

You will need water from a community aquarium and a capacity of at least 50 liters, ideally 100-150 liters. There is no need to place soil in the spawning tank for discus fish - if an overly active baby falls out of the clutch on the clean bottom of the aquarium, the parents will notice it and return it to its place .

A clay tube is also installed here, which can be replaced with any oblong-shaped, unvarnished clay object - for example, a vase or an inverted flower pot.

Water temperature - 30 degrees Celsius, hardness - 6 mm3, acidity 6 - 6.5 pH.

Biotope

The biotopes of the Amazon basin undergo significant changes throughout the year. With the onset of the rainy season in December, the Amazon floods. Tropical rainfall and meltwater from the highlands raise the water level in the river bed. At this time, the water in many tributaries reverses its flow direction until the overflowing river floods vast areas. Floods bring muddy clay water to reservoirs with crystal clear water. The flooded forest surrounding the Amazon is turning into a single, slow-moving swamp. By May the heavy rains stop. River water stops flowing into the waters of the flooded forest and they gradually become transparent. From July onwards, the water level drops significantly for several months. Many isolated reservoirs and small streams appear, in which the water acquires purity and a characteristic dark color. Water parameters in such reservoirs can reach extreme values ​​of softness, lack of electrical conductivity, and sterility. According to H. Blecher, discus live in “black” water among thickets of coastal bushes, where the bottom of reservoirs is covered with a layer of rotting leaves. The water is very soft and quite acidic. The roots of coastal vegetation are under water most of the year and serve as shelter and substrate for spawning. As the water level decreases, the fish leave their shelters and go deeper, to the center of the reservoirs.

Editor's note: Oliver Knott, who is he?

Discus fish are not found in large rivers and are rarely found in areas of intense currents, inhabiting many small tributaries and streams. Thus, the difficult movement of isolated populations leads to the formation of characteristic features (primarily coloration) even for relatively small isolated groups. Such local populations can number several hundred individuals, exhibiting signs of schooling fish behavior.

In nature, the diet of discus fish consists of insect larvae and freshwater shrimp.

How to keep and care for discus fish

All discus are very peaceful and calm fish that eat slowly and live in warm water, compared to many aquarium representatives. This creates certain difficulties for other species to colonize them. Discus fish live in groups of 6, so the best option for keeping them is a species aquarium.

Only a person who has been working with aquarium fish for a long time will be able to create ideal conditions for the habitat of this species and get offspring from them. Frequent problems in keeping discus fish are their susceptibility to disease and the resulting stress when moving. These factors should be taken into account in advance: choose the right food and a comfortable aquarium with a suitable water temperature.

We will create optimal conditions

The most important requirement will be to populate a flock of at least 6 pieces. The size of the discus suggests that the aquarium will need 200-250 liters. They do not do well alone, so keeping them in a pack will be the first step to success.

It is also necessary to highlight the following care recommendations:

1. Pure water. Up to 30% of the water should be changed per week.
2. The soil may not be used if plants are planted in the future.
3. Plants are needed to absorb organic matter from water. Thus, they significantly improve the habitat for discus fish.
4. Lighting should not be bright.
5. Filtration required. The choice of external or internal device depends on convenience and specific cases.

Water purification is carried out using ultraviolet radiation, and for experienced aquarists it is recommended to use ozonation. For fish lovers who can afford high costs, it is recommended to purchase high-tech equipment, consisting of complex filters and various devices for monitoring and testing water characteristics.

How to properly decorate an aquarium

How the fish will feel in it, their health and reproduction depends on how well the aquarium is designed.

The main and most important factor is the water temperature, which should be around 30°C. This also becomes the main argument when choosing plants that will be placed in an aquarium, since not all of them can grow at this temperature, so high-quality artificial plantings are usually used.

In addition, this species simply requires the presence of driftwood or a large grotto for shelter. Ash, alder or maple are perfect. Avoid introducing resinous trees and oak into the aquarium.

It is worth paying special attention to lighting, especially if there are live plants in the aquarium. Since discus do not like bright light, there may simply not be enough light for the plants.

The way out is to create special darkened areas.

Soil selection

Particular attention should be paid to the soil, as it:

• Gives the aquarium individuality and attractive appearance;
• Serves as a filter into which various microparticles fall (be sure to include bottom snails in the discusser);
• Creates conditions for the proliferation of necessary bacteria and fungi;
• Maintains biological balance.

The best soil to place in an aquarium is sand or gravel, laid in a thin layer.

An ideally selected soil should not contain admixtures of various rocks or minerals, as they may contain substances that will cause fish poisoning. Quartz soil is excellent - it is neutral and will cause harm. Sometimes soil is not used at all, as it complicates the cleaning process. And a high degree of water purity is vital for discus.

Aquarium equipment

Sharp changes in temperature are contraindicated for fish that live in subtropical climates; to maintain the required parameters, it is necessary to use an aquarium heater. It’s easy to use – you just need to set the required temperature. The heater will heat up to the set parameter and keep the water optimally warm.

The following equipment is also required:

• Internal filter – necessary for purifying water in a small aquarium;
• An external filter is worth purchasing if the aquarium volume is more than 300 liters. This filter is well suited for an aquarium with discus fish, because it does not create a current;
• Compressor – serves for aeration of water;
• Aquarium lamp – properly selected artificial lighting will help create a cozy, comfortable atmosphere;
• An ultraviolet lamp is necessary to purify water from harmful microorganisms.

Discus reviews

Alice, review of Marlboro red discus

Excellent, beautiful, bright fish! They look great in a large aquarium filled with live plants of the appropriate size. Number of fish: the more, the more beautiful your aquarium will look.

Very tender and prone to various mass diseases. They require constant replacement and heating of water, oxygen saturation, fine cleaning and constant filtration. Very shy of sudden movements.

A fish for those who like to spend as much time as possible in the aquarium. It is unpretentious to food; under good conditions, reproduction is possible.

Andrey Babanov, review of Marlboro red discus

Beautiful, no doubt. When I saw it, I immediately fell in love. Peaceful fish, according to my observations, to others, but there are skirmishes among themselves

Oksana Vinogradovay, review of discus pigeon blood

One word: Kings of the aquarium))) Usually there are a lot of problems with discus fish after purchase, transportation and acclimatization. But there were no problems with those bought here, pah-pah!

Roman Sergeevich, review of discus pigeon blood

Beautiful, calm fish. Looks very good in a herbal dresser.

Description of the breed

Discus is a large fish with a disc-shaped body. The length of individuals varies from 15 to 25 cm and depends on what variety they belong to. If you compare it with other cichlids, you will notice that discus fish have compressed sides, more than others, and because of this feature the fish got their name.

Today there are many species that differ from each other in color; it is quite difficult to describe them all. In addition, the variety of colors is truly amazing. But the most popular are the following breed varieties:

1. Pigeon blood is a Thai hybrid obtained by crossing the turquoise striped discus and the red turkis. The main color of the scales is white, with longitudinal red stripes in the form of waves. The fins are also decorated with stripes - red and white. Another feature of pigeon blood discus is its red eyes.
2. Pigeon is a fish whose eyes resemble blood-red rubies. Earlier individuals were covered in pigmented black spots, but through selective breeding they were bred out. The color of the pidgeons has become more harmonious and uniform.
3. Blue diamond - the body of the fish is tall, round, strongly flattened. Wild individuals have an even, pale bluish coloration and red eyes. They were actively used in breeding work, and they gave rise to many breed varieties. Among the aquarium representatives there are both plain blue fish and those with blue scales.
4. Snakeskin is a fish with an extravagant color: its light body is covered with a large number of small red specks, which makes it look like the skin of a snake. The fish was bred in Thailand, based on the blue discus.
5. Leopard - these individuals were the result of crossing a green discus and a red turkis. The original leopard coloring was formed from red spots scattered on a white background. These are large representatives of the species, growing up to 20 cm. “Leopards” have one feature - they are sensitive to lighting.
6. Heckel's discus - has a calm, beige-pink color with turquoise stripes. There are vertical dark stripes around the body, the eyes are black-brown and practically do not stand out.
7. Green discus is a fish with a greenish-brown body decorated with 9 dark stripes. Horizontal lines of turquoise color are located horizontally, they converge in the abdomen area, creating a solid color scheme. The color is not permanent and can vary from yellow to reddish hues.
8. Cobalt - individuals have a blue body covered with stripes; this variation is considered classic. Often there are fish with a stripe running along the line of the eyes. With age, the stripes gradually fade and disappear.
9. Marlboro Red - the color of the fish contains red or orange tones, there are several white stripes.

From the editor: =Treatment and diseases of aquarium fish=

This is only a small part of the discus species. Modern breeders never cease to amaze, producing fish with brighter and more unusual colors. For example, you can find the “pigeon blood” species with the “checkerboard” color, “golden melon” discus, “golden albino”, “super red passion” and others.

But selective crossbreeding, although it made the fish unusually beautiful, had a negative impact on their immunity, weakening it. Their wild counterparts are stronger and more unpretentious.

Price and breeds of discus fish

The main varieties of this type of fish are:

• Pigeon blood. A hybrid first bred in Vietnam. It is obtained by crossing other breeds, and the color (white with red stripes) is not inherited. Quite popular for breeding in aquariums and sold for 200-250 rubles/piece ;
• Green. A natural species, which, despite the name, can be blue or red. Distinctive features are large fins and black vertical stripes. There are large black eyes and a fan-like tail. Found on the market for 300-350 rubles ;
• Leopard print. A popular variety among hobbyists, obtained by combining red and green discus. In pet stores it costs 500-600 rubles . Externally, it is an individual 20 cm in length and has white scales, on which light red spots have appeared;
• Snow White. A breed raised at the end of the last century. Most of the body is white, but the fins are leopard-colored. The body shape is standard, and a special advantage is that this color is inherited by the fish. In specialized stores in Moscow it can cost 550-600 rubles/piece .

Several dozen more breeds have been introduced to lovers of these fish around the world, each of which has its own answer to the question of how much a discus fish costs.

Features of character and lifestyle

Photo: Discus

Discus fish are relatively calm fish. They have a calm character. In nature they live in isolated flocks. One such flock can number up to several hundred individuals. There are usually no conflicts in a flock, except that males may quarrel over a female. Sometimes during the breeding process, the male and female may quarrel with each other. If at that moment they have eggs already laid, they can eat them.

In nature, fish live in small warm ponds and streams with diffused light, warm water and plenty of hiding places. These fish are afraid of loud sounds and sudden movements. Stress has a bad effect on fish, they change their color and feel bad. Next to Symphysodon discus in nature you can find such fish as Cyclidae of various genera, knifefish, catfish, stingrays and piranhas.

In terms of proximity to other fish, discus are not aggressive, and there are no fights for territory. And many other fish will not live in the area occupied by discus fish due to the fact that the water there is too warm and soft. In ordinary life, fish live in schools. Such flocks are usually not clearly formed. During spawning, fish are divided into pairs consisting of a male and a female. Fish spawning occurs in secluded places among the flooded roots of bushes and various plants.

In captivity, these fish are often kept in large, isolated aquariums. Discus fish of all types are quite safe for neighbors, but other fish cannot get along with them because of their heat-loving nature. It is not advisable to plant discus fish together with aggressive angelfish and other fish, otherwise the angelfish may begin to terrorize them and tear off the fins of calm discus fish.

Conditions of detention

Discus fish are challenging and are not recommended for beginners to keep. This is a large fish, so the aquarium for them should be at least 200 liters per couple. Filtration and aeration in it should be at the highest level, water changes should be regular. It would not be superfluous to install an ultraviolet sterilizer. The comfortable water temperature for discus is slightly higher than for other fish and is +28..+31 degrees.

They prefer soft and acidic water (dGh up to 15, pH 6-7). In nature, these fish live in dark water due to the large amount of tannins and humic acids it contains, formed due to the rotting of roots and leaves.

It is recommended to decorate an aquarium with discus fish with natural driftwood. They release tannins into the water, turning it transparent brown. You can also use peat fillers or special preparations for this.

Discus Alenker

Getting offspring

Sex differences are subtle and appear only during spawning. The male has a steeper forehead and thicker lips. Also at this time, females develop a trapezoidal ovipositor, and males develop a conical vas deferens.

Discus fish form monogamous pairs that last their entire lives. In order to form such a pair, they acquire a flock of 6-8 individuals, allowing them to independently choose a partner. After the fish find the other half, they will swim one after another in single file and try to stay together.

As soon as the fish begin to prepare for spawning, they are placed in the spawning tank. The water in it should be warm, very soft and acidic. It should also be equipped with ultraviolet sterilizers that destroy pathogenic microorganisms to which discus eggs are not resistant. The incentive for spawning is to increase the frequency of water changes, raise it by a couple of degrees, and also increase the proportion of high-protein feed in the diet.

The female lays eggs on a vertical surface, which is carefully cleaned by her partners. At this time, the fish may show aggression and drive neighbors away from their territory.

After all preparations have been made, the female lays eggs in rows, which are immediately fertilized by the male. Incubation of eggs at a temperature of 30°C lasts about two days, after which the larvae hatch. Throughout this time, the parents look after the clutch, fan it with fins and remove dead eggs.

At first, the fry are fed with skin secretions from the sides of their parents. Sometimes it happens that this mucus is not enough. And then a conflict arises between the adults for the right to feed. In such fights, even fry can be eaten. To protect them, separator nets are installed, which allow the fry to swim through, but adults are not allowed to eat them.

Grown-up fish are removed and fed with naupli of cyclops, brine shrimp and egg yolk. Basic conditions for caring for juveniles: feed regularly and often for uniform growth and change water. For up to 1.5 months, the fry are left with light at night so that they can easily find food. They are fed every 2 hours. Teenagers are given food a little less often - 6 times a day. Adult fish are fed 3 times a day.

Seventeen-day-old discus pups.