#Discus tank size free#

Once doubled, you can move the fish into your tank вЂ“ though donвЂ™t introduce the bagged water into the tank. Then slowly drip the cultured tank water into the transport water until the volume in the bag has doubled. Float the transport bag in the tank water for about 20 minutes in order to acclimatise the fish to the temperature. When you get your fish home, it is important to acclimatise them to your tankвЂ™s environment. Discus tanks require large substrate filters, as a guide they should run at about 1000-1200 litres per hour. If looked after correctly, these will grow to around 12cm (5вЂі) in ten months. It is recommended that beginners start with about three fish, purchasing them at about 7cm (3вЂі) in size. A minimum tank size of 0.46m x 0.5m x 1m is recommended though 0.61m x 0.61m x 1m is ideal for stocking eight to ten, 12cm (5вЂі) fish.

The water conditions must be calibrated specifically to only suit this type of fish and filters need to be cultured with appropriate organisms to assist with a suitable water environment. That is, they should only be kept in tanks which contain a sole population of discus. Water quality, temperature, feeding and health are all significant factors which must be diligently observed for there to be any success in keeping these beautiful fish.ДЇirstly, the tank must be ready and the filter cultured before bringing the discus home. Still, there is no easy way to maintain healthy fish. Relative to other fish, discus are very hard to look after, though recent improvements in filter design and efficiency have improved ones ability to care for them more effectively. If they are responsive and demanding with the food, it is more likely that they are in good health. If you are buying your fish from a hatchery or pet shop, ask the owner if you can see the fish eat. These infestations can be cured, but not without some difficulty for beginners. Faeces colour is influenced by the type of feed, however it should be dark.White droppings, either hanging from the fish or on the bottom of the tank may indicate intestinal parasites. If the fish is breathing heavily on one side and the gill cover is closed on the other side, it may be afflicted with gill flukes, a parasitic worm. Bilateral gill movement is also important. Black or dark eyes are a sign of ill health. Fins should be evenly shaped and the eyes clear, bright and appropriate to the size of the fish.

#Discus tank size free#

The fish should rush towards you, looking for food and should have a uniform, rounded shape, free from wounds and deformities. When selecting discus, health is more important than the variety or even the colour of the fish. Eye colour may also vary, ranging from that similar to the fishes base colour to a brilliant red вЂ“ most desired by aquarists. The male fishes colouration will become more pronounced during periods of sexual activity. The colours will flare and become more distinct if the animal is startled or feels threatened. Colours are patterned in vertical or horizontal bars overlaid with wavy lines that extend into the dorsal and anal fins. In the wild, most discus are a variation of green, brown or yellow. Colours include brilliant blues, turquoise, heckel (a brown or blue with a black bar in the middle of the fish), browns, greens, royal blues, yellows and reds. Colouration is a distinctive feature of these fishes and is a strong reason for their popularity amongst aquarists, though colouration will differ greatly depending on variety. The body of the discus fish is round, compressed and, as the name suggests, disk-like. But they are still difficult to maintain and require a lot of work. Huge advancements have been made in aquarium technology in recent years and this means that discus fish are now far easier to keep. They are a brightly coloured fish the colours greatly affected by mood, sex and hormonal chemistry. Both species occur naturally only in the Amazon basin of South America. Recommended for: experienced and dedicated aquarists The Family CichlidaeДiscus fishes belong to the Cichlid family, a family of fishes which comes in a surprising diversity of shapes, sizes and colours.Дiscus fishes are derived from the many wild-occurring forms of two closely related species: Symphysodon aequifasciata and S. Temperament: inquisitive, best kept as single species