Group Acquisition
Buy 6-8 juveniles from same source. As they mature (12-18 months), pairs naturally form.
Watch for two fish staying close to each other, defending a small territory together.
Identifying a Pair
Both fish dominant in coloration. They swim together, defend a vertical surface, drive other discus away.
Once paired, separate them to a 40-gallon breeding tank with a tilted slate or breeding cone.
Spawning Process
Pair cleans the breeding surface obsessively. Female lays 200-400 eggs over a period of hours.
Both parents fan the eggs with fins. Free-swimming fry emerge in 4-6 days.
- ✦Maintain temperature 84-86°F throughout breeding
- ✦Soft water (TDS under 100ppm) is critical for fertile eggs
- ✦Move other tank mates to separate tank — pair will eat them mid-spawn
Fry Slime Coat Feeding
Discus fry feed off parental slime coat for first 2 weeks. They cling to the parents like baby seahorses.
Both parents take turns. After 2 weeks, fry start eating brine shrimp nauplii.