Overview
- “Baby Discus” are juvenile discus (Symphysodon spp., often sold as Symphysodon aequifasciatus), the famous disc-shaped cichlids of the Amazon.
- Adults reach about 6 in (15 cm) long and can be nearly as tall as they are long.
- Wild discus live in slow tributaries and forest pools along the Amazon, not in the main river channels.
- Most discus in the trade are captive-bred color strains. [UNVERIFIED] Discus taxonomy is still debated, so the species name on store labels may not be accurate.
Feeding
- Wild fish eat mainly zooplankton, insects and other small invertebrates.
- Juveniles grow fast and need several small, high-quality meals a day, such as frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp and quality discus granules. [UNVERIFIED]
Habitat
- Warm, soft, acidic water: 79–86°F (26–30°C), pH 5.0–7.0, GH 0–5.
- Heavily planted tanks with plenty of cover suit these shy fish.
- Plan for an adult tank around 48 × 18 × 18 in (120 × 45 × 45 cm), about 67 gallons (255 liters), for a few juveniles or a breeding pair.
Fish Care
- Discus are shy and skittish, and need lots of cover to feel secure.
- Growing juveniles need very clean water, so keep up with frequent water changes. [UNVERIFIED]
Compatibility
- Choose calm tankmates that tolerate high temperatures and won’t outcompete discus at feeding time. [UNVERIFIED]
Aquarium Behavior
- A schooling cichlid in the wild, living in groups in deep, sheltered areas.
- Easily stressed by loud or boisterous tankmates. [UNVERIFIED]
Breeding
- [UNVERIFIED] Pairs spawn on vertical surfaces, and fry feed on a mucus secretion from their parents’ skin for their first days. Breeding is best attempted with mature, bonded adults rather than babies.