Mike’s Fish Tank – Discus

Discus is a species that inhabits the margins of floodplain lakes and rivers in the Amazon basin where it is a part of the highly diverse Neo tropical fish fauna. The 3 species are the common discus, the Heckel, and the green. Like certain cichlids the discus have a laterally compressed body shape, extended finnage is absent giving a more rounded shape. It is the body shape from which their common name “Discus” is derived. The sides of the fish are frequently patterned in shades of green, red, brown, and blue. The height and length of of the adult fish is 8 to 10 inches. Another characteristic of discus is the care for their young. Brood care is highly developed with both parents caring for the young. Adult discus produce a secretion through their skin, which the larvae live off of their first few days. However when bred in captivity the larvae live off their parents secretion for up to 2 weeks.

Discus are expensive fish and are very sensitive to water condition and food quality. Discus fish are easily frightened and can possibly hurt themselves from dashing around the tank and hitting the glass. The water is an important factor. make sure PH is low, around 6 and also a higher temperature at a constant 82 to 86 degrees F.

If you want to add other species of fish in the discus fish aquarium, try cory cats, plecos, small tetras, and other gently and slow moving fish from South America. Just be sure the Discus is the largest fish in the tank. When it comes to food, try feeding frozen bloodworms and frozen brine shrimp. Feed the fish 2 to 3 times daily. If you do things right, you may even get your discus to breed.

Pets A Plenty is located in the Blockbuster Video Plaza, Rte 281 Cortland, 753-9213. Open 7 days a week. We now have a website. www.petsaplety.biz. check it out. I post care sheets, coupons, new animal arrivals, contests and more. Any questions, email me at friskyy@hotmail.com

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