{"product_id":"high-grade-yellow-checkerboard-discus-symphysodon-sp-yellow-checkerboard","title":"High-Grade Yellow Checkerboard Discus | Symphysodon sp. 'Yellow Checkerboard'","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe High-Grade Yellow Checkerboard is a premium strain of discus, its fine lattice of dark lines crisp over a rich golden-yellow body. Discus are the \"king of the aquarium\" — serene, disc-shaped and stately — but they demand warm, soft, spotlessly clean water and are best kept in a group. Reaching around 15–20 cm, this is a rewarding centrepiece for the committed keeper, not a beginner fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eDiscus (Symphysodon) come from the calm backwaters, flooded forests and blackwater tributaries of the Amazon basin in South America. These are warm, very soft, acidic, tannin-stained waters with gentle flow and abundant submerged wood and roots, where discus shelter in groups.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA tall, rounded, laterally compressed body — the classic \"discus\" disc. This high-grade Yellow Checkerboard shows a warm golden-yellow ground broken by a fine, even net of dark reticulations, strongest across the body and into the fins. Colour and pattern intensify as the fish matures and settles.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePeaceful but shy and easily out-competed. Keep a group of at least five or six to spread out their natural pecking order and reduce bullying. Tankmates must be calm, warmth-tolerant and gentle, as discus feed slowly and dislike boisterous company.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA carnivore-leaning omnivore. Feed a varied diet of quality discus pellets, frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp and specialist discus foods, in several small feeds a day. Growing fish in particular need frequent feeding, which makes disciplined water changes essential.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is an advanced fish. Provide a tall aquarium of at least 250 litres for a group, kept very warm at 28–30 °C, with soft, acidic water and immaculate water quality maintained by strong filtration and frequent large water changes. Stability is everything: discus are sensitive to nitrate, chilling and sudden change. Warm-tolerant plants and driftwood suit them well.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA substrate-spawning, biparental cichlid famous for parental care. Pairs spawn on a vertical surface such as a cone or broad leaf, and both parents guard the eggs and then let the free-swimming fry feed on a nutritious mucus secreted from their skin — a remarkable sight. Success demands very soft, warm, pristine water and a settled pair.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSymphysodon sp.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHigh-Grade Yellow Checkerboard Discus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAmazon basin, South America (captive-bred strain)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e15–20 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10–15 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful (shy, demanding)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAdvanced\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e250 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e300+ litres (tall)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore\/omnivore (discus pellets, frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e28–30 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5.5–7.0 (soft, acidic)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1–8 dGH (soft)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eExperienced keepers; warm, soft-water display tanks\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes (choose warmth-tolerant plants)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eCalm, warmth-tolerant fish — cardinal and rummynose tetras, small peaceful rasboras, sterbai corydoras, and other gentle soft-water species that thrive at high temperatures.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBoisterous or fast-feeding fish, fin-nippers, aggressive cichlids, and any species that cannot tolerate the high temperatures discus require.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232834437411,"sku":null,"price":185.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232834470179,"sku":null,"price":215.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232834502947,"sku":"BA9211","price":250.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"X-Large (15-20cm)","offer_id":55351970201891,"sku":null,"price":290.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/High_Grade_Yellow_Checkerboard_Discus_190fd635-ce19-4102-a7da-4014857575fa.jpg?v=1781700210","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/high-grade-yellow-checkerboard-discus-symphysodon-sp-yellow-checkerboard","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}