{"product_id":"panthera-discus-symphysodon-sp-panthera","title":"Panthera Discus | Symphysodon sp. 'Panthera'","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Panthera is a clean, pale-bodied discus strain with a bright red eye and minimal patterning — understated elegance rather than bold colour. Discus are the 'king of the aquarium': serene, disc-shaped and stately, reaching around 15–20 cm as adults. They are best kept as a group of five or more and demand warm, soft, spotlessly clean water, making them a rewarding centrepiece for the committed keeper.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eWild discus live in the slow, shaded backwaters, flooded forests and tributaries of the Amazon basin, where the water is very warm, extremely soft and acidic, and stained with tannins. The Panthera is a captive-bred colour strain, but it retains the species' need for pristine, warm, soft water.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA tall, rounded, laterally compressed disc of a fish. The Panthera shows a pale cream to soft white body with reduced barring and a vivid red eye, giving it a crisp, minimalist look. Well-kept adults develop a smooth, unblemished sheen that sets off the red eye beautifully.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePeaceful and rather timid for a cichlid, discus are happiest in a calm group where they can establish a gentle pecking order. They dislike boisterous or fast tankmates that outcompete them at feeding time. Keep them in groups of at least five to spread out any squabbling and help them feel secure.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eDiscus are carnivores with hearty appetites. Offer a varied diet of quality discus pellets and flakes, frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp and specialised beef-heart based foods. Feed small amounts several times a day, and remove uneaten food promptly to protect water quality.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is a demanding fish. Discus need very warm water (28–30 °C), soft and acidic conditions, and immaculate water quality maintained through frequent, generous water changes and strong biological filtration. A taller tank suits their body shape, and a group needs 200 litres or more. Stable parameters and cleanliness are everything — discus punish neglect quickly.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eDiscus are substrate spawners that lay eggs on a vertical surface such as a cone or broad leaf. Remarkably, the fry feed on a nutritious mucus secreted from the parents' flanks in their first days of life. Breeding requires very soft, warm, acidic water and a settled, bonded 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. 'Panthera'\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePanthera Discus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCaptive-bred strain; wild species from the Amazon basin (South America)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 15–20 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 but demanding; shy\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\u003e200 litres (group)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e250 litres or more\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore (bloodworm, brine shrimp, beef-heart foods, discus pellets)\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\u003e6.0–7.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1–8 dGH (very soft to 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\u003eAdvanced keepers; warm, soft-water display and biotope 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 — does not eat plants (choose heat-tolerant species)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eCalm, warmth-loving companions such as cardinal and rummynose tetras, sterbai corydoras, and peaceful dwarf cichlids like rams. A single-species discus group is often the most rewarding option.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFast, boisterous or fin-nipping fish (tiger barbs, larger active barbs), aggressive cichlids, and any cool-water species. Avoid tankmates that will outcompete these gentle feeders.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232833257763,"sku":"AA3843","price":80.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232833290531,"sku":"AA3847","price":110.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232833323299,"sku":"AA3535","price":220.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-20cm)","offer_id":55351970070819,"sku":null,"price":255.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Panthera_Discus_ef24f78e-b884-4719-acad-3a6f6b95357a.jpg?v=1781700213","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/panthera-discus-symphysodon-sp-panthera","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}