Assorted Discus (Symphysodon sp.)

Discus have a reputation as the most demanding centerpiece fish in the freshwater hobby, and it's mostly earned — Symphysodon sp. evolved in the warm, soft, extremely clean water of the Amazon floodplain, and they haven't forgotten it. They want water consistently warm (82–88°F is the actual target, not the 76°F a typical community tank runs at), soft to moderately soft, and impeccably clean. Nitrate above 20 ppm is stressful; above 40 ppm is damaging. Daily or every-other-day water changes aren't overcautious for a dedicated discus tank — they're standard practice.

What makes them genuinely remarkable, and worth the effort, is how they raise their young: both parents secrete a nutrient-rich mucus from their skin that newly hatched fry feed on directly, grazing off the parents' sides for the first week or two of life. It's one of the only examples of this kind of parental nutrition among fish, and watching it happen in person is one of the more affecting things freshwater keeping has to offer.

Their round, laterally compressed shape and calm, deliberate movement have made them a benchmark species for decades — the fish serious keepers work up to rather than start with. This listing is assorted morphs, meaning you'll receive a mix of color strains from the same source.

Scientific name: Symphysodon sp. (assorted color morphs)
Origin: Amazon River basin, South America — slow floodplain lakes and river margins with warm, soft, tannin-stained water
Water parameters: Temp 82–88°F (non-negotiable) · pH 5.5–7.0 · GH 1–8 (soft water essential) · Nitrate ideally below 20 ppm
Tank requirements: 55 gal minimum for a group of 4–6; tall tank preferred; dark substrate and subdued lighting reduce stress
Diet: Carnivore — high-protein discus beef heart mix or premium pellets; supplement with frozen bloodworms and brine shrimp
Compatibility: Peaceful; best in a species-only or calm large-fish community; avoid active or nippy tankmates
Husbandry note: Discus kept in water that's too cool or too hard will eat poorly, show clamped fins, and slowly decline. Before buying discus, verify your water change water is preheated and soft — cold water changes, even brief ones, will trigger disease outbreaks.