Discus size: how big does it get?

Adults reach about 15 cm. Record sizes among the 189 Cichlidae species on LumaReef: 3 cm (Viejita Dwarf Cichlid) to 80 cm (Giant Tanganyika Cichlid).

Discus tank size: what is the minimum?

A tank at least 120 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Wide tank or larger.

Discus water parameters: what does it need?

Temperature 27–31 °C, pH 5.5–7.0, hardness 1–8 °dGH. Warmer than most Cichlidae on LumaReef (23–28 °C).

Discus tank mates: what can it live with?

It gets along with 6 of the 99 freshwater species in the catalogue, such as Cardinal tetra, Green neon tetra, and Sterbai corydoras.

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Discus

Symphysodon aequifasciatus

A slow round disc. The showpiece of fresh water.

The Discus (Symphysodon aequifasciatus) is a tropical freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae. It swims in midwater, close to the bottom. Adults grow to about 15 cm. In the aquarium it needs a tank at least 120 cm long and water at 27–31 °C.

Size: 15 cm
Smallest tank: 120 cm
Temperature: 27–31 °C
Care: Demanding

In the aquarium

Temperature27–31 °C

pH5.5–7.0

Hardness1–8 °dGH

Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Carnivore
Activity: Calm
Water layer: Mid water
Group: Happiest in a group of 4 or more
Plants: Plant safe

These values are compiled from real species data, and the LumaReef simulation is built to keep them true to life.

Which tank it fits

Nano60 cm · 65 litresToo small
Standard90 cm · 180 litresToo small
Wide120 cm · 300 litres13 of them
Living room180 cm · 650 litres29 of them
Showcase250 cm · 1,200 litres54 of them
Gallery300 cm · 1,440 litres65 of them

Who it lives with

Gets along6 species

Caution48 species

Not together45 species

Aggressive with peaceful

In the wild

Water type: Freshwater
Climate zone: Tropical
Habitat: Midwater, close to the bottom
Aquarium trade: Traded commercially

Conservation status

Classification

OrderCichliformes
FamilyCichlidae
GenusSymphysodon
SpeciesSymphysodon aequifasciatus
Described byPellegrin, 1904

In other languages

English: Blue Discus
German: Scheibenbarsch
Spanish: Disco azul
French: Discus commun
Russian: Дискус равнополосый
Chinese: 綠盤麗魚

Quick answers

Discus size: how big does it get?: Adults reach about 15 cm. Record sizes among the 189 Cichlidae species on LumaReef: 3 cm (Viejita Dwarf Cichlid) to 80 cm (Giant Tanganyika Cichlid).
Discus tank size: what is the minimum?: A tank at least 120 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Wide tank or larger.
Discus water parameters: what does it need?: Temperature 27–31 °C, pH 5.5–7.0, hardness 1–8 °dGH. Warmer than most Cichlidae on LumaReef (23–28 °C).
Discus tank mates: what can it live with?: It gets along with 6 of the 99 freshwater species in the catalogue, such as Cardinal tetra, Green neon tetra, and Sterbai corydoras.
Discus: alone or in a group?: Keep at least 4 together.
Discus and plants: is it plant safe?: Yes, it leaves plants alone.