Many people now have aquariums in their homes and no matter what size it is they always look spectacular. There is nothing more relaxing then seeing fish swimming around in a clean well kept tank. Although once you have your tank set up you will have to ensure that you keep it very clean and provide a healthy environment for all of your fish. One particular fish that always looks great in any tank is a discus fish as it has vibrant colors and is very attractive. These fish can sometimes be difficult to keep, and as long as you ensure you keep them healthy and disease free then they will live for a long time.

Discus fish are quite expensive fish to buy as they are so attractive and warrant a greater price; although they look fantastic in your aquarium they will need extra care and attention. If you look after these fish well and keep them happy and healthy then they will continue to look great in your tank.

Discus fish thrive from being kept in a group so ensure that you keep at least six together at any one time. They are shoaling fish and will be a great deal happier if they are surrounded by their own type, you can add other fish to your tank as well.

Discus fish also like to swim, so you need to ensure that there is enough room in your tank for them to swim freely. As a guide there should be at least ten gallons of water to every discus fish, and you need to avoid overcrowding in your tank. You also need to consider what size and shape aquarium you purchase if you want to have discus fish. These fish prefer tall tanks and will survive better in a taller tank rather than a longer one. Although buying a larger tank will make it more difficult for you to maintain the high levels of water quality needed.

If you are placing any form of decoration in your tank ensure that it is free of heavy metals and less really is more when keeping discus fish.

Try to keep it very simple and only have a few items and some simple plants for the fish to hide behind. Real plants are always better than plastic ones as the real ones will provide natural oxygen into the water. This will provide a more natural habitat for the discus fish which will keep them happy, the more natural you can keep things the better it will be for all of your fish. If using any form of ground covering ensure that there is only a small amount and that you have cleaned it well before placing it in your tank.

Discus fish are very sensitive to water changes and you will need to keep the water in prime condition. The aquarium water needs to be clean and free from heavy metals and chlorine. The ideal temperature for these fish is between 74 and 82 degrees, as it is very similar to their natural habitat. The best way to ensure that the water in your tank is being maintained is to use a water filter. These filters are ideal for monitoring and checking the levels in your tank, they will help to filter out all of the impurities in the water. If you do find that the acid levels are too high then you can add soda water to your aquarium as this will bring the level down. You will need to do a partial water change one or two times a week and you need to ensure that you do this with as little disruption to the fish as you can.

Many fish can get stressed and discus fish do very easily, try not to place your tank near a doorway as the constant difference in temperature will affect your aquarium. Discus fish also like quiet areas, so try and find a position for your tank that will allow them to be peaceful. If your fish aren’t comfortable then they will become stressed and this will lead to diseases. Discuss fish can become sick very easily so trying to ensure they are kept calm is essential to their well being. Feeding the discuss fish at a certain time everyday is also very important as they like routine. The best thing to feed them is blood worms and flakes, they like certain foods and will grow better if fed little and often.

Discus fish can be quite shy and you need to ensure that every element of their tank life is suited to them. Once they are happy and comfortable then they will give you hours of pleasure watching them swim around. Once you are confident that you are keeping the fish to their best standard then you could try breeding them. This will enable you to sell them and make some money from these beautiful fish. If your discus fish do begin to show signs of stress and disease you need to treat them as soon as you can. You can purchase medication which you can add to the water for the discus fish, usually this helps to cure the fish and it will return to its former self.

You can usually tell that your fish is stressed and unwell by its behavior; they will become withdrawn and spend a great deal of time hiding. They will often begin to look darker in color and refuse to eat. If you are concerned regarding your fish’s health then you should ask for professional help. Often a simple water change and some medication will help your fish, as long as you are aware of the changes in them as soon as they occur. Discus fish are prone to worms and you should look for signs that they may have them, if they do then they must be treated or your fish will die. As long as you keep a good level of hygiene and ensure that the water is kept in perfect condition then you will have healthy happy fish for many years.