Discus Tetra Care Guide - Aquarium Setup, Diet & Breeding

The Discus Tetra is a deep-bodied characin with a noticeably rounded, laterally compressed profile that gives it the appearance of a small silver discus. Its body is typically silvery to golden, with translucent fins and subtle darker markings that become more pronounced when the fish is excited or displaying.

Discus Tetras are native to freshwater habitats in northern and central South America, particularly the Amazon and Tocantins drainage systems of Brazil. They inhabit warm, slow-moving rivers, tributaries and quieter forested waters with submerged vegetation and leaf litter.

A group should be given at least 120 litres, with a practical footprint of around 90 x 40 cm or larger because these are active, deep-bodied schooling fish. Use open swimming space alongside hardy plants, branches, smooth wood and shaded areas that create visual cover. A dark sand or fine gravel substrate, subdued lighting and some leaf litter can evoke their natural habitat, while efficient filtration and regular maintenance are important for stable water quality.

Up to about 8 cm (3.1 inches) in total length. Females are usually slightly larger and deeper-bodied than males, particularly when mature and carrying eggs.

Discus Tetras are omnivores and should receive a varied diet of quality tropical flakes or small pellets supplemented with frozen or live foods such as daphnia, brine shrimp, bloodworm and mosquito larvae. Offer small portions once or twice daily, with enough variety to support colour, growth and conditioning without leaving excess food in the aquarium.

Discus Tetras are generally peaceful, active community fish and do best with other robust but non-aggressive species. Suitable companions include larger tetras, peaceful barbs, rasboras, medium-sized Corydoras, peaceful loricariid catfish and calm dwarf cichlids. Avoid very small fish that could be swallowed, highly aggressive cichlids and persistent fin-nippers, as well as slow, delicate species that may be outcompeted at feeding time.

Discus Tetras are egg-scattering fish that can be bred in a separate, mature breeding aquarium with gentle filtration, subdued lighting and fine-leaved plants or a spawning mop. Condition a group with plentiful live or frozen foods, then introduce well-conditioned adults. The eggs are scattered among the vegetation and the adults may eat them, so remove the parents after spawning or protect the eggs with a mesh barrier. Eggs usually hatch within roughly 24 to 36 hours, and the tiny fry initially need infusoria or another suitably fine first food before progressing to newly hatched brine shrimp.

Mature females are generally fuller through the abdomen and may be slightly larger than males. Males tend to have a slimmer profile, although the difference can be difficult to judge outside breeding condition.