| Discus tropical fish are very beautiful and graceful | | | | from direct sunlight to avoid excessive algae growth. |
| swimmers. They are freshwater fish from a family of | | | | Discus tropical fish require water changes one time |
| fish called cichlids. There are several different | | | | per week to maintain good water quality. Changing |
| varieties of cichlids including African cichlids, angelfish | | | | about 20-25% of their water is a good goal to shoot |
| and others. These fish were originally discovered in | | | | for. Changing too much water at one time will cause |
| South America in the Amazon River. Finding discus | | | | stress in the fish. Water quality is very critical to |
| fish for sale is becoming more common. | | | | these sensitive fish. Changing too much water at one |
| Discuses are more delicate and require higher water | | | | time will upset the natural bacterial balance that exists |
| quality standards than other freshwater fish. Their | | | | in a mature tank. |
| water must be similar to conditions found in the | | | | Hard water should be avoided and the pH should be |
| Amazon River. This water is slightly acidic and does | | | | around 6.0-6.5. Placing some peat moss in your filter |
| not have a lot of hard water minerals dissolved in it. | | | | will help to maintain pH and softness. Make sure any |
| Discus tropical fish are not the best choice for your | | | | peat moss you use is pure and clean. The best water |
| first aquarium. | | | | temperature should be in the range of 78-85 degrees. |
| Discuses are found in very large groups in their native | | | | A good discus fish tank needs to be fairly large. They |
| Amazon. They are very well socialized and are one | | | | grow to an adult size of around six inches and you |
| of a small number of cichlids that actually travel in | | | | should have a half dozen of them. |
| large schools. This should be taken into account when | | | | Discus tropical fish should be fed the correct kind of |
| buying discus fish. You will want to have several in | | | | food. They love live foods that simulate natural |
| your tank. Close relationships with the other fish will | | | | conditions. These can be worms, daphnia, brine |
| develop their personalities and result in a livelier tank. | | | | shrimp, etc. Feeding live food can introduce bacteria |
| Discus fish are easily intimidated by noise and heavy | | | | to the tank so choose your food supply carefully. |
| human foot traffic so position your aquarium to give | | | | As you can see discus require a good deal of care |
| them some privacy. Their tank should not be near | | | | and attention but following these simple rules can |
| HVAC registers that would tend to cause | | | | yield a healthy and enjoyable aquarium. |
| temperature fluctuations. Position the tank away | | | | |