{"product_id":"blue-diamond-discus-symphysodon-sp-blue-diamond","title":"Blue Diamond Discus | Symphysodon sp. 'Blue Diamond'","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Blue Diamond Discus is one of the most sought-after of all cichlids, a serene, disc-shaped fish of solid metallic sky-blue that glides through the water like a living jewel. Large, elegant and famously demanding, discus reward an experienced keeper with pristine, very warm, soft water. Adults reach around 15–20 cm across, making a group a breathtaking centrepiece for a big, dedicated tank.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSymphysodon comes from the warm, soft, acidic blackwaters of the Amazon basin, among submerged roots, branches and leaf litter in slow, shaded backwaters. The Blue Diamond is a captive-bred strain rather than a wild fish, but it still needs the warm, clean, gentle conditions of its ancestral home. Driftwood, tall plants and subdued light suit it well.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Blue Diamond is a solid, even coat of bright metallic blue with a red eye and no bars or patterning, giving a clean, luminous look. The body is tall, round and laterally flattened, the classic discus shape. Colour intensifies with maturity, good diet and calm, stable conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eDiscus are peaceful but timid and are best kept as a group of five or more so they feel secure and spread out any pecking order. They are slow, deliberate feeders that are easily bullied or outcompeted, so tankmates must be calm and unhurried. They do best in a species tank or with carefully chosen warm-water companions.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA carnivore leaning to a high-protein diet, the discus takes quality discus pellets and flake along with frozen bloodworm, blackworm and specially prepared beef-heart mixes. Feed several small meals a day and keep on top of the resulting waste, as heavy feeding demands excellent water quality.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum of around 250 L for a group, with a tall tank preferred. Keep temperature high at 28–30 °C, pH 5.5–7.0 and soft water, around GH 1–8. Discus are intolerant of nitrate, ammonia and swings in condition, so they need mature filtration, frequent large water changes and constant attention. This is a fish for the committed keeper. Generally plant safe, though very warm water limits plant choice.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eDiscus are open substrate-spawners that lay their eggs on a vertical surface such as a cone, leaf or filter pipe, with both parents guarding the brood. Remarkably, the free-swimming fry feed on a nutritious mucus secreted from the parents' flanks for their first days of life. Very soft, warm, acidic water and a settled, bonded pair are needed to breed them successfully.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003ctable\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSymphysodon sp. 'Blue Diamond'\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBlue Diamond Discus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCaptive-bred strain (wild Symphysodon from the Amazon basin)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 15–20 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10–15 years with excellent care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful but timid (demanding)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAdvanced\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e250 L for a group\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e300 L or larger (tall)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore: discus pellets, frozen bloodworm, blackworm, beef-heart mixes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e28–30 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5.5–7.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoft, around 1–8 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLarge, warm, soft-water display tanks for experienced keepers\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes (warm water limits plant choice)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003c\/table\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include cardinal and rummynose tetras, sterbai corydoras, dwarf cichlids such as rams, and other calm, warm-water fish that tolerate high temperatures.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with fast or boisterous fish, fin-nippers such as tiger barbs and serpae tetras, aggressive cichlids, and any species that will not tolerate very warm water. Avoid cool, hard or unstable conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232832995619,"sku":"AA3839","price":75.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232833028387,"sku":"AA3840","price":199.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232833061155,"sku":"BA8738","price":199.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"X-Large (15-20cm)","offer_id":55351970005283,"sku":null,"price":230.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Blue_Diamond_Discus_aa5dd121-ee61-447c-9a0b-bc00cb1cadac.jpg?v=1781700209","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/blue-diamond-discus-symphysodon-sp-blue-diamond","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}