Assorted Discus
Image for illustration purposes only. Exact colours, patterns, and size may vary between individuals.
Delivered alive, guaranteed
Live fish delivery is £20 per order, delivered Thursday, Friday or Saturday, arriving before 1:00pm on the day you choose at checkout. Packed by aquatic specialists and shipped overnight with a dedicated livestock courier, every fish is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee with automatic refunds. See How Live Fish Delivery Works for full details.
When will my fish arrive?
| Order placed | Delivery day |
|---|---|
| Up to Monday 11:00am | Thursday (that week) |
| Monday after 11:00am – Tuesday 11:00am | Friday (that week) |
| Tuesday after 11:00am – Wednesday 11:00am | Saturday (that week) |
| Wednesday after 11:00am – Sunday (any time) | Thursday (following week) |
Overview
Assorted Discus are a mixed selection of tank-bred colour strains, from solid reds and blues to striped turquoise and pigeon-blood patterns, chosen from what is in stock. These round, laterally compressed cichlids descend from wild fish of the Amazon basin and are often called the king of the aquarium. They suit committed keepers with a warm, mature, well-filtered tank.
- Adult Size: Around 15–18 cm (6–7 in) across; some strains larger
- Lifespan: 10 years or more
Origin
- Native to: Captive bred; wild forms from the Amazon basin, Brazil, Peru, Colombia
- Habitat: Warm, still floodplain lakes and flooded forest among submerged branches
Feeding
- Diet: Omnivorous, insect larvae and plankton in nature
- Preferred Foods: Discus granules, beefheart mix, bloodworm, brine shrimp, blackworm, daphnia
- Feeding Habits: Two or three small feeds daily; remove uneaten food promptly
Tank Mates
- Best with: Own kind in groups of six, cardinal and rummynose tetras, corydoras, sterbai
- Avoid: Angelfish, barbs, plecos that rasp flanks, cool-water species
Aggression & Behaviour
- Temperament: Calm and peaceful, but a cichlid
- Territoriality: Pairs guard spawning sites; pecking order in groups
Experience Level
- Difficulty: Intermediate to Advanced
- Challenges: Needs very warm, clean water and frequent large water changes
Water Parameters
- Water Type: Freshwater, soft and slightly acidic
- Temperature: 28–30°C (82–86°F)
- pH: 6.0–7.0
- Hardness: 1–8 dGH
- Flow: Slow to moderate; gentle
- Tank Size: Minimum 300 litres for a group of six adults; taller tanks suit their shape
Final Notes
Buy at least five or six; single or paired juveniles are bullied and sulk. Expect to change a third of the water weekly and to run a temperature few other fish tolerate. Sexes are hard to tell apart until they pair off and spawn on a vertical surface, with both parents feeding fry on skin mucus. Bare or sand bottoms with vertical driftwood keep them settled, and a settled group is a rewarding display.
Please Note
The livestock that is sold on our online site is not held in store at our Birchwood Aquatic Centre shop. Species sold at the Birchwood Aquatic Centre physical store may differ from ones available to order to your door.
Frequently Asked Questions
In insulated boxes designed for live transport, packed by aquatic specialists,
overnight with a licensed live-animal courier, arriving before 1pm.
It is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee.
Photograph it within 4 hours of delivery, email info@birchwoodaquaticcentre.co.uk with your order number, and the refund is processed automatically. The cover continues for 7 days after arrival.
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. You pick your day at checkout; please choose a day someone is home.
Yes. One basket, one checkout; the fish arrive with the specialist courier and the rest of your order ships as normal.
We can deliver to UK mainland only for live fish.
Follow the five-minute acclimatisation steps in our When Your Fish Arrive guide: float the bags, add tank water gradually, net the fish in, lights low, feed tomorrow.