Species › Cichlids

Discus tank mates and minimum tank size

Symphysodon aequifasciatus

Discus grow to 14 cm (5.5 in). They need 26–30 °C (79–86 °F) and pH 5.0–7.0.

Minimum tank

255 L (67 US gal), at least 120 cm (47 in) long

Adult size

14 cm (5.5 in)

Temperature

26–30 °C (79–86 °F)

pH

pH 5.0–7.0

Group

no minimum

Discus minimum tank size

Discus need at least 255 L (67 US gal), in a tank at least 120 cm (47 in) long.

That is the largest minimum among the sources below. The planner also checks the tank length against the adult size of 14 cm (5.5 in): a tank shorter than 4 times that is cramped (56 cm (22 in)).

Discus tank mates

Each of the other 52 species in this reference, judged against discus by the same rules as the compatibility checker. A guide, not a guarantee.

Compatible (11)

• Black neon tetra
• Bronze corydoras
• Cardinal tetra
• Cherry barb
• Clown loach
• Dwarf gourami
• Glowlight tetra
• Honey gourami
• Lemon tetra
• Pearl gourami
• Yoyo loach

With care (24)

• AngelfishThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.8–7.0, set by angelfish and discus. That leaves no margin.
• BettaThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.8–7.0, set by bettas and discus. That leaves no margin. Bettas are usually best kept alone. Some accept calm tank mates such as discus, many do not.
• Black skirt tetraThe only temperature that suits both is 26 °C (79 °F), set by discus and black skirt tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Boeseman's rainbowfishThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by Boeseman's rainbowfish and discus. That leaves no margin.
• Bristlenose plecoThe only temperature that suits both is 26 °C (79 °F), set by discus and bristlenose plecos. That leaves no margin.
• Celestial pearl danioThe only temperature that suits both is 26 °C (79 °F), set by discus and celestial pearl danios. That leaves no margin. Celestial pearl danios (2.1 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger discus (14 cm).
• Chili rasboraChili rasboras (3.5 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger discus (14 cm).
• Common plecoThe only temperature that suits both is 26–26.7 °C (79–80 °F), set by discus and common plecos. That leaves no margin. The only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by common plecos and discus. That leaves no margin.
• Congo tetraThe only temperature that suits both is 26 °C (79 °F), set by discus and Congo tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Ember tetraEmber tetras (2 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger discus (14 cm).
• Endler's livebearerThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by Endler's livebearers and discus. That leaves no margin. Endler's livebearers (2.5 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger discus (14 cm).
• German blue ramGerman blue rams (4.2 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger discus (14 cm). German blue rams fight other cichlids, and discus are one of them.
• Glass catfishThe only temperature that suits both is 26 °C (79 °F), set by discus and glass catfish. That leaves no margin.
• GuppyThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by guppies and discus. That leaves no margin.
• Kuhli loachThe only temperature that suits both is 26 °C (79 °F), set by discus and kuhli loaches. That leaves no margin.
• Nerite snailThe only temperature that suits both is 26 °C (79 °F), set by discus and nerite snails. That leaves no margin. The only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by nerite snails and discus. That leaves no margin.
• OtocinclusThe only temperature that suits both is 26 °C (79 °F), set by discus and otocinclus. That leaves no margin.
• Pygmy corydorasThe only temperature that suits both is 26 °C (79 °F), set by discus and pygmy corydoras. That leaves no margin. Pygmy corydoras (3 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger discus (14 cm).
• Red tail sharkThe only temperature that suits both is 26 °C (79 °F), set by discus and red tail sharks. That leaves no margin.
• Rummy-nose tetraThe only temperature that suits both is 26 °C (79 °F), set by discus and rummy-nose tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Serpae tetraThe only temperature that suits both is 26 °C (79 °F), set by discus and serpae tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Siamese algae eaterThe only temperature that suits both is 26 °C (79 °F), set by discus and Siamese algae eaters. That leaves no margin.
• SwordtailThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by swordtails and discus. That leaves no margin.
• Tiger barbThe only temperature that suits both is 26 °C (79 °F), set by discus and tiger barbs. That leaves no margin.

Not compatible (17)

• Cherry shrimpDiscus grow to 14 cm, big enough to eat adult cherry shrimp (4 cm).
• Cockatoo dwarf cichlidDiscus need 26–30 °C (79–86 °F); cockatoo dwarf cichlids need 24–25 °C (75–77 °F). No temperature suits both. The only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by cockatoo dwarf cichlids. That leaves no margin. Cockatoo dwarf cichlids fight other cichlids, and discus are one of them.
• Convict cichlidConvict cichlids are aggressive and best kept in a tank of their own; they attack fish several times their size, so discus would be harassed. The only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by convict cichlids and discus. That leaves no margin.
• GoldfishDiscus need 26–30 °C (79–86 °F); goldfish need 15.6–21.1 °C (60–70 °F). No temperature suits both. The only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by goldfish and discus. That leaves no margin.
• Harlequin rasboraDiscus need 26–30 °C (79–86 °F); harlequin rasboras need 22–25 °C (72–77 °F). No temperature suits both.
• KribensisDiscus need 26–30 °C (79–86 °F); kribensis need 24–25 °C (75–77 °F). No temperature suits both. Kribensis fight other cichlids, and discus are one of them.
• MollyMollies need pH 7.5–8.2; discus need pH 5.0–7.0. No pH suits both.
• Mystery snailMystery snails need pH 7.2 or higher; discus need pH 5.0–7.0. No pH suits both. The only temperature that suits both is 26 °C (79 °F), set by discus and mystery snails. That leaves no margin.
• Neon tetraDiscus need 26–30 °C (79–86 °F); neon tetras need 21–25 °C (70–77 °F). No temperature suits both.
• OscarDiscus need 26–30 °C (79–86 °F); oscars need 22–25 °C (72–77 °F). No temperature suits both. Oscars grow to 46 cm and eat animals they can swallow; discus grow to 14 cm.
• Panda corydorasDiscus need 26–30 °C (79–86 °F); panda corydoras need 22–25 °C (72–77 °F). No temperature suits both.
• Paradise fishDiscus need 26–30 °C (79–86 °F); paradise fish need 16–22 °C (61–72 °F). No temperature suits both.
• Peppered corydorasDiscus need 26–30 °C (79–86 °F); peppered corydoras need 22–23 °C (72–73 °F). No temperature suits both.
• PlatyDiscus need 26–30 °C (79–86 °F); platies need 20–25 °C (68–77 °F). No temperature suits both. The only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by platies and discus. That leaves no margin.
• Rosy barbDiscus need 26–30 °C (79–86 °F); rosy barbs need 18–22 °C (64–72 °F). No temperature suits both.
• White cloud mountain minnowDiscus need 26–30 °C (79–86 °F); white cloud mountain minnows need 18–22 °C (64–72 °F). No temperature suits both.
• Zebra danioDiscus need 26–30 °C (79–86 °F); zebra danios need 18–24 °C (64–75 °F). No temperature suits both.

Sources

Where sources differ, the value shown is computed as the most cautious one.

Check against another species Plan a tank