What to Know About Keeping Discus in Your Aquarium | Top Fin Aquatics

What to Know About Keeping Discus in Your Aquarium | Top Fin Aquatics

Is It That Hard to Keep Discus in NZ?

The Truth About Keeping Discus Fish in New Zealand

For many aquarium hobbyists, Discus fish are the dream species. Their incredible colours, graceful swimming, and interactive personalities have earned them the title of "The King of the Freshwater Aquarium."

But if you've spent any time researching them, you've probably heard the same thing over and over:

"Discus are too hard to keep."

So, is that really true?

The answer is no.

Keeping Discus fish in New Zealand is much easier than most people think. With quality aquarium equipment, regular maintenance, and healthy, captive-bred fish, Discus can become one of the most rewarding fish you'll ever own.

If you're considering adding Discus to your aquarium, here's everything you need to know.

Why Do Discus Have a Reputation for Being Difficult?

Years ago, Discus deserved their reputation.

Most fish available were wild-caught, water quality was harder to maintain, heaters weren't as reliable, and quality fish foods were limited.

Today, things have changed dramatically.

Most Discus available in New Zealand are captive bred, making them far more adaptable to aquarium life. When purchased from a reputable supplier and kept in stable conditions, they are hardy, active, and surprisingly forgiving. Healthy, captive-bred Discus combined with consistent care are the key to long-term success.

Clean, Stable Water Is the Secret

If there's one thing Discus love, it's clean, stable water.

Many people become obsessed with chasing the "perfect" pH or water hardness, but consistency is far more important than trying to recreate the Amazon exactly.

Aim for:

  • Temperature: 28–30°C
  • pH: 6.5–7.5
  • Ammonia: 0 ppm
  • Nitrite: 0 ppm
  • Nitrate: Below 20 ppm

Regular weekly water changes and a quality filtration system will do far more for your Discus than constantly adjusting water chemistry.

Bigger Tanks Make Everything Easier

One of the biggest mistakes new keepers make is buying too small an aquarium.

A larger aquarium provides:

  • More stable water parameters
  • Less aggression between fish
  • Better swimming space
  • Easier maintenance

We generally recommend 250 litres or larger for a group of Discus.

Because Discus are social cichlids, they should ideally be kept in groups of five or more, allowing natural hierarchies to develop and reducing stress.

Feeding Discus Properly

A quality diet is one of the biggest factors in growing healthy, colourful Discus.

Feed a varied diet including:

  • Premium Discus pellets or granules
  • Frozen bloodworms (occasionally)
  • Brine shrimp
  • Other high-quality frozen foods

One food we highly recommend is Sera Discus Granules Nature. The soft sinking granules are specifically formulated for Discus and other demanding cichlids. They soften quickly without breaking apart, helping reduce waste while providing highly digestible protein, garlic, prebiotics, and essential minerals to support growth, colour, immune health, and overall vitality.

You can find it here:

https://www.topfinaquatics.co.nz/products/sera-discus-granules-nature

Young Discus benefit from several smaller meals throughout the day, while adults generally thrive on two or three quality feeds daily.

Temperature Is More Important Than Many People Realise

Discus are tropical fish and genuinely prefer warmer water than many community species.

Keeping your aquarium around 29°C helps:

  • Support healthy digestion
  • Boost their immune system
  • Reduce stress
  • Encourage natural behaviour

When selecting tank mates, always choose species that are comfortable living at these higher temperatures.

Best Tank Mates for Discus

Discus are peaceful fish that appreciate calm companions.

Some excellent choices include:

  • Cardinal Tetras
  • Rummy Nose Tetras
  • Sterbai Corydoras
  • Bristlenose Plecos
  • Peaceful Apistogramma species

Avoid aggressive cichlids or fin nippers, as constant stress can quickly affect Discus health.

Maintenance Doesn't Need to Be Difficult

The biggest misconception is that Discus require endless maintenance.

They don't.

Successful Discus keepers simply follow a routine:

  • Weekly water changes
  • Regular water testing
  • Quality food
  • Clean filters
  • Avoid overfeeding

Consistency is what keeps Discus thriving.

Common Mistakes New Discus Keepers Make

  • Adding Discus before the aquarium is fully cycled.
  • Keeping them in water that's too cool.
  • Overcrowding the aquarium.
  • Mixing them with aggressive fish.
  • Feeding poor-quality food.
  • Skipping regular water changes.
  • Chasing pH instead of maintaining stable conditions.

Avoid these mistakes, and you'll already be ahead of many first-time keepers.

Choosing Healthy Discus

The quality of the fish you purchase makes an enormous difference.

Healthy Discus should:

  • Swim confidently
  • Eat eagerly
  • Display bright colours
  • Hold their fins open
  • Have clear eyes and good body shape

At Top Fin Aquatics, we carefully select quality Discus and health-check every fish before it is offered for sale, giving hobbyists the best possible start.

Browse our current range of Discus here:

https://www.topfinaquatics.co.nz/collections/discus

So… Are Discus Hard to Keep in NZ?

Not anymore.

Modern aquarium equipment, captive-bred fish, quality nutrition, and good husbandry have made Discus far more accessible than ever before.

If you can maintain clean water, provide a stable environment, and feed a premium diet, you'll likely discover that Discus are no more difficult than many other popular aquarium fish—they simply reward good fishkeeping.

Once you've experienced a thriving group of healthy Discus, it's easy to understand why they're considered the kings of the freshwater aquarium.

Start Your Discus Journey with Top Fin Aquatics

Whether you're buying your very first Discus or adding another showpiece to your aquarium, Top Fin Aquatics stocks a carefully selected range of healthy, premium Discus ready for their new homes.

We also stock Sera Discus Granules Nature, one of the best staple foods available for maintaining healthy, vibrant Discus with excellent growth and colour.

Browse our current collection today:

🐟 Discus Fish: https://www.topfinaquatics.co.nz/collections/discus

🍽️ Sera Discus Granules Nature: https://www.topfinaquatics.co.nz/products/sera-discus-granules-nature

If you have any questions about keeping Discus, our team is always happy to help you choose the right fish, aquarium setup, and feeding plan for long-term success.

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