Wild Discus 10cm
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
Wild Discus are wild-caught Symphysodon from the Amazon basin, typically brown, blue or green forms with subtle horizontal striations, a round outline and colours that change with mood and light. Unlike domestic strains they carry the true wild look and behaviour of the species. They suit experienced discus keepers who can provide very soft, acidic, warm water and a careful quarantine.
- Adult Size: Around 14–16 cm (5.5–6.5 in) across
- Lifespan: 10 years or more
Origin
- Native to: Amazon basin, Brazil, Peru and Colombia, including the Rio Negro
- Habitat: Still floodplain lakes and flooded forest among fallen branches
Feeding
- Diet: Omnivorous, detritus, plant matter and invertebrates in nature
- Preferred Foods: Bloodworm, blackworm, brine shrimp, daphnia, discus granules, beefheart mix
- Feeding Habits: Two or three small feeds daily; wean onto dry foods slowly
Tank Mates
- Best with: Own kind in groups of six, cardinal and rummynose tetras, corydoras, Geophagus
- Avoid: Domestic discus, angelfish, barbs, plecos that rasp flanks
Aggression & Behaviour
- Temperament: Calm but shy; hides when disturbed
- Territoriality: Pairs guard spawning sites; pecking order in groups
Experience Level
- Difficulty: Advanced
- Challenges: Needs very soft acidic water, quarantine, deworming and patient feeding
Water Parameters
- Water Type: Freshwater, very soft and acidic
- Temperature: 28–30°C (82–86°F)
- pH: 5.0–6.5
- Hardness: 0–4 dGH
- Flow: Slow; very gentle
- Tank Size: Minimum 300 litres for a group of six; taller tanks suit their shape
Final Notes
Never mix wild discus with tank-bred fish; they carry different parasites and need different water. Quarantine, deworm and settle new arrivals in a dim, tannin-stained tank with vertical driftwood and a bare or sand bottom before adding tetras. Rainwater or reverse osmosis water is usually essential. Keep at least five or six; they hide when alone. Sexes are near identical until they pair. A settled wild group is the purest form of the hobby's king.
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.