THE FUNDAMENTALS OF DISCUS CARE by: Jim E. Quarles

One of the basic pleasures I get from my discus keeping is to guide others into this hobby. I have enjoyed these magnificent creatures for almost a half a century and yet every time I look at them swimming in their tanks in good health and perhaps with a batch of newly hatched babies I get the same thrill I did the fist time I saw them. I have never found a more rewarding hobby and I have tried them all! Nothing can give you the personal satisfaction you get when you are successful with the mighty King's and Queen's of all the aquarium fishes.

THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COIN!

Nothing is quite so heart breaking as to encounter problems with these fish and have them lose good health to diseases or parasites, and YES improper aquarium care! To help you avoid some of the most common errors I have listed the basic requirements you must ALWAYS use to keep these fish healthy.

They required clean ( I mean Clean ) water at all times. A 50% water change per day is not to much. However this may be reduced to 50% per week if required.

These fish do much better in acidic water as found in their native waters. The best ph factor is around 6.2 to 6.8ph. They can be kept in waters with a higher ph rating but your just adding to the chances of disease or other problems.

Discus require a Temperature of 82 to 90 degree F. Most species do well at 82 degrees Heckels require higher temperature up to 90 degrees and also require much softer water to remain healthy.

Never keep discus with angelfish or other aggressive cichlids. Small tetras are your best bet for a happy discus tank.

If you must use a gravel bottom tank, it is vital that you keep it super clean at all times, this requires a lot more work then a bare bottom tank with live plant in pots that can be moved around when cleaning the tank.

Replacement water should be aged over-night before use, also the Temperature should be the same as that in the tank. The pH rate should be as close as possible when changing water.

Keep your tank covered, discus are not super bad about jumping but they do sometimes think they are birds and take to the air! I always feel bad when I find one on the floor.

Never add new fish discus or other types to a tank until they have been quarantined for at least 10 days to two weeks or longer.

The above are very basic rules that will make you a happier discus keeper.