Discus are widely regarded as the "king of the aquarium" — large, spectacularly coloured cichlids from the Amazon river system that command respect and dedication from their keepers. Their requirement for very soft, warm, acidic water and immaculate water quality places them firmly in the expert category, but those who master their care are rewarded with fish of extraordinary beauty, intelligence, and personality. They are among the most expensive fish in the freshwater hobby.
If you have been in the hobby for several years and want the ultimate challenge, discus are the answer. The daily water changes become meditative rather than a chore. The fish respond to your presence and learn your routine. Mine swim to the front of the tank when I enter the room. The financial out…
Read full review →Lost three discus in my first year because I did not fully understand their water requirements. My tap water was too hard and I did not have an RO unit. Once I invested in reverse osmosis and started mixing my own water, the survivors blossomed. The fish are magnificent but they demand expertise. Do…
Read full review →My discus display tank is genuinely the most beautiful thing in my home. Eight fish in full colour under warm LED lighting, floating through a Amazonian biotope with driftwood and giant val. People come to visit specifically to see the tank. The effort required is real but it has taught me more abou…
Read full review →Three years with discus and I can confidently say they are the most rewarding fish I have ever kept. The colouration changes with their mood — bright and vivid when happy, dark and barred when stressed — giving you constant feedback on how the tank is performing. Once you learn to read their behavio…
Read full review →After fifteen years in the hobby I finally took the plunge with discus. Six months in and I cannot imagine keeping anything else. The colours are indescribable in photographs — a well-lit discus tank looks like someone hung stained glass in your living room. Yes, they are demanding. Yes, they are ex…
Read full review →I have kept marines, African cichlids, and every popular tropical fish going. Discus are the best fish I have ever kept. Full stop. The intelligence, the colouration, the personality — they interact with you in a way that feels almost mammalian. My oldest is seven years old and still glows like a je…
Read full review →Discus are not for beginners and anyone who tells you otherwise is setting you up for expensive failure. I spent six months researching before buying my first four fish. My 75-gallon bare-bottom tank with daily 30% water changes has kept them healthy for two years. They are now the size of side plat…
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