🐠Discus: gear and buying guides

The discus is a stunning but very demanding cichlid, reserved for experienced aquarists. It lives in groups of 5 to 6 in at least 300 L, with warm water at 28 to 30 °C, very soft, acidic and impeccably clean. Frequent water changes and a high equipment budget make it a project in its own right.

Profile : 15 to 20 cm as an adult, 300 L minimum for a group of 5, very soft water between 28 and 30 °C.

Discus gear, family by family

• 🍖 Food

  A delicate carnivore: dedicated discus granules, brine shrimp and beef-heart preparations used in moderation. Several small meals a day, since it eats slowly and gets outcompeted at feeding time.

• 🧴 Care & grooming

  One of the most demanding species for water quality: very low nitrates, remineralized RO water and 25 to 50 percent weekly changes, even more for juveniles. Any lapse quickly shows in its color and appetite.

• 🎾 Toys & enrichment

  Large vertical driftwood, heat-tolerant plants such as some sword plants, and open zones for group swimming. A calm environment without sudden movement in front of the tank limits stress.

• 🏠 Bedding & habitat

  A tank of at least 300 L, 50 to 60 cm tall, for a group of 5 to 6 that establishes its hierarchy. Tankmates should be limited to calm warm-water species such as sterbai corydoras.

• 🧳 Travel & safety

  Transport in double, opaque bags kept warm, as temperature drops are its main danger. Drip acclimation of about one hour, in the dark.

• 🧰 Accessories

  An RO unit, a powerful external filter, a 250 to 300 W heater and a reliable thermometer are essential. Expect 400 to 800 euros of equipment, excluding the fish, which often cost more than 50 euros each.

Guides to read

• 60-litre aquarium kit: the full beginner budget with no nasty surprisesBedding & habitat

  How much does a 60-litre aquarium kit really cost? The full start-up budget, item by item: equipped tank, substrate, decor, water tests and consumables.

• Nano shrimp tank: the essential equipment to start off rightBedding & habitat

  What equipment does a nano shrimp tank need? Volume, gentle filtration, the right substrate and a full budget: the complete checklist for keeping Neocaridina.

• Betta tank of 20-30 litres: the ideal setup, step by stepBedding & habitat

  How do you set up a 20 to 30 litre betta tank? Low-flow filtration, heating, resting plants and a lid: the ideal setup explained in detail.

• Garden pond for goldfish: volume, equipment and budgetBedding & habitat

  How do you build a garden pond for goldfish? Minimum volume, frost-free depth, filtration and predator protection: the complete guide with budget.

• RO units and reverse osmosis water in aquariums: who actually needs it?Care & grooming

  Is reverse osmosis water essential for an aquarium? Find out who really needs an RO unit, how to remineralize and what budget to plan (unit or jerrycan).

• Water conditioner and starter bacteria: essential or just marketing?Care & grooming

  Water conditioner and starter bacteria: what do they actually do? Chlorine, heavy metals, faster cycling: what to buy and what to skip.

• Fertilizer and CO2 for aquarium plants: start simple, skip the lab setupToys & enrichment

  Do aquarium plants need fertilizer and CO2? The simple starter method: liquid fertilizer, easy plants, and when injected CO2 actually becomes worthwhile.

• Driftwood and rocks for aquariums: which ones are safe for your fish?Toys & enrichment

  Which driftwood and rocks are safe in an aquarium? Tannin-releasing woods, limestone rocks to avoid, the vinegar test and preparation: the complete guide.