Buyer question
Are Discus freshwater fish good for beginners?
Usually not: our Animal Library rates the Discus freshwater fish 1 out of 5 for beginners (not a first fish).
Source: the Discus freshwater fish page in the Everybarn Animal Library. Discus freshwater fish in the Animal Library
The detail
Discus are round, brilliantly colored cichlids from the Amazon basin, often called the king of the aquarium. They are peaceful and striking in groups, but they need warm, very clean water and a keeper committed to frequent large water changes.
- Best fit
- Dedicated freshwater keepers
- Hardiness
- 2 out of 5 (Sensitive to water quality)
What to weigh
Discus need warm water, around 82 to 86°F, and very low nitrates, which means frequent large water changes. They are shy and stress easily in busy tanks.