Discus fish are rounded, large and colorful fish, popular in freshwater fish tanks. These fish need special care for them to be inclined towards breeding. The first thing you need to do for breeding discus fish is to obtain a suitable pair, as the discus fish are hard to get paired up for mating. Discus fish likes to choose their own partner, which makes it a lost more expensive for the owner as well as tough task at hand.
For breeding discus fish you should ideally pair up four to six specimens together when they are young, ensuring that at least a couple or two would pair off. Mixing discus fish from various sources would ensure some variety is maintained in the genetic pool.
For breeding discus fish, the water should be kept warm enough and the fish should be fed well. These fish choose a vertical side in order to mate and they clean it up well before laying the eggs. They normally spawn on the side or the bottom of the tank. Once the eggs are laid and fertilized, both parents guard the vicinity and prevent other fish from coming close.
While breeding discus fish, you tend to notice a behavioral change in the otherwise shy and calm fish. As soon as a pair of discus has decided to mate, they become aggressive and territorial towards other fish and it’s the ideal time to either remove all the other fish or separate their breeding aquarium. They are quiet and not aggressive to the other inhabitants in the tank unless and until their eggs are in danger. At times the parent fish may eat the eggs, protecting them from vulnerability.
The fry of the discus fish need much less interference than most of the other kinds of fry. The adult fish actually start caring for the young fry themselves after they are born. Once the fry are able to swim they move to the sides of their parents and start feeding off them for as much time as you leave them together. The fry should be offered foods in small quantities like baby brine shrimp. After about 3-6 weeks, the fry will be growing fast and parent will be exhausted, that is the ideal time to remove them.
So, water and food are the main things you need for breeding discus fish .Gaining the practical experience for first time breeders would be the ideal thing. Have fun and enjoy yourself!
