Discus Fish Care Guide FOR BEGINNERS

[@AquariumCoop]

Check out the fish store I own: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iXnWnHhjppp6n5I

[@beelzeboss22]

Aquarium Co-Op that’s some mighty fine information I’ll tell ya hwhat

[@paulmarshall7577]

Quality it's just lovely seeing them and this chap talking great it's far to technical for me

[@pauldillingham6316]

I have a question. I was thinking about starting a fish breeding business. I was going to start with just one species and go from there. My question is what species would you recommend starting with?

[@santamonicahelpassistant418]

Nice discus! At 5:58 on the left side of the screen, there is a small goldish-silver fish... is that a discus too? - Sophia

[@Foxx3592]

@@beelzeboss22 0

[@kitaaallen9297]

Gosh I wish more fish keepers were more like you. I get attacked for saying I want to set up my first discus tank... I get “ if you’ve never kept them before, it’s best you don’t” how am I suppose to learn without ever having kept them

[@TheHighPlane]

true man

[@DinoTheThird]

Haha then by their logic “if you’ve never kept a goldfish then don’t”

[@Y0oisaac]

Just go for it man I get it told all the time

[@xroyalbloodx]

Honestly as long as this isn't your first ever fish tank just go for it. Sure, discus aren't the easiest fish to keep but if you know how to keep fish in general, keeping discus isn't that hard.

[@ett40146]

Fish keeping has a lot of very toxic people .

[@iknit2632]

I do not have fish. I was looking for a congratulation song for a middle school athlete who became the league champion in discus (track event) . : ) I enjoyed watching this video and finding out about discus fish. Your shared knowledge will help a lot of people have healthier discus fish.

[@S.Trades]

This was where discus get their name from. After the circular disc thrown by athletes at the Olympics.

[@EihabFitness]

I kept and bred Discuss some 15 years ago when I was in Uni, they brought me lots of joy.

[@204_mod_shop]

That probably got you though university pretty good eh , $$

[@mush1574]

im a discus keeper and have been for over 30 years and your right on the money great advise once again keep the vids coming they will help all the new fish keepers out there

[@ninotemuera2466]

Hi can i keep 1 discus in a fancy pleco breeding tank without it attacking my plecos or wil i en agresif

[@jb_policedogsvandijk9468]

@@ninotemuera2466 in my experience with discus they don’t really bother the plecos and if they do maybe their fins but a discus especially younger ones can’t do much damage to most plecos cause they got good armor, but that just my experience, trying to help you out👍

[@mush1574]

@@ninotemuera2466 it depends on the size of your tank but i wouldn't keep just one i would go with a pair

[@lukelaming3445]

Hey Cory, Whenever I search any aquirum related I always watch your video on that topic first... Your honest and realistic. So many people act like these fish are some mystical thing that aren't to be raised by anyone but an expert but you are the expert so thank you for the great advice from all your videos not just this one.

[@rainbowcupcakeish]

Aquarium co op you are my favourite “fishkeeping KZbinr” I’ve learnt so much from your videos and you have a great personality to watch. Thank you!

[@randomnesschannel8820]

Same

[@randomnesschannel8820]

I think he awesome

[@brad823]

I've raised Discus fry to adult hood and kept them for some years. I certainly share a lot of your experience and your video is well put. Great job.

[@gpmcfm]

Great advice on keeping Discus, at one time I had 10 tanks with only Discus, I got so paranoid I could not enjoy them. Thanks, Frank

[@KizzleCozzle]

i can hear the discus elites scoffing through this whole video LMAO

[@DutyJames]

LOL

[@LoveAffairsTube]

😂😂😂

[@heidisfishtank7543]

Cory I could not agree more. I keep German discus and tbh they are NOT that picky on water parameters at all. The biggest things I’ve found is temperature(which make me picking plants tricky), getting a good sized school, and feed often enough. The other tip I’d say is they are more prone to internal parasites than other fish in my experience so quarantining any tankmates and premedicating is extra important and you may need to occasionally do an additional metronidazole treatment whether that’s Seachem metroplex in food or just doing general cure in the whole tank occasionally. The other thing I’ve found is that they don’t need bare bottom tank and you don’t need a completely insane water change schedule. Just test your water and keep those nitrates low.

[@aero1614]

I keep them too

[@elgezouliabdul4973]

HI there thank you for the advise , I am new to discus and I got 5 now from a local breeder in belgium every thing is ok water heating so on just they are not eating well and I have Kids running around all day fishes seems very stressed what shall I do. Please help me Thanks

[@Sean-in9qi]

@@elgezouliabdul4973 give them to someone who can actually care for them properly

[@elgezouliabdul4973]

@@Sean-in9qi thanks for the advise as if you are telling something that you are very proud of,

[@Sean-in9qi]

@@elgezouliabdul4973 ??? Bro if your fish are stressed out, you really should consider what is best for them and not what you want

[@FamfritFW]

Thank you, Cory, for always sharing your own experience and advice even when it goes against the common wisdom.

[@Cichlids23]

Great advice Cory...I think the stress and worry comes from missing one of your top tips, DON'T BUY the $350 pair at the LFS....Get the $15 small ones and buy a group; well done!

[@S.Trades]

They probably feel a lot safer in a group.

[@caewalker9276]

My son just brought Discus, Thanks for the great advice. They seem to come alive at a higher temperature. Have a great Chrissy

[@toddmarr1400]

Cory I completely agree brother! I ve keep for years. I did hav angels with them. I had a wild caught that brought hair worm into my tank. Didn’t lose one. No meds worked for me. Just raised the temp and wiped out the worm. Enjoy your content!

[@MakoyUnggoy]

I got back into Discus after a long break only last week and I'm loving them again, the only thing I would add though - Always find out what food the Discus have been brought up on first before you get them, a lot of breeders will raise the fry exclusively on Beefheart to bulk up their size and when you get them home it can be hard sometimes getting them to eat other foods and the last thing you want is for your new fish to go on 'hunger strike' which they can do from time to time!

[@masonbarr8494]

Thank you so much Cory! I’ve been interested in keeping discus for quite a while and was always scared off by all these claims on how touchy they are. Thank you for clearing things up! I’ve been in the hobby for about half a year now and have five tanks already 😂 I have you to thank for gettin me into the hobby! Keep up the great work!!

[@Beefcakeloser]

Hi Corey, just want to say don't worry about what the nay sayers out there think. You are great with your fish keeping skills, and thanks to your videos I am a much more successful fish keeper myself. You make aquarium keeping fun, easy, and exciting! Don't stop what your doing! Thanks for everything!

[@mildredgilmore5533]

You are right on with your Discus care guide. I just want to add that stable pH is a must for a Discus and I always used SeaChem's Neutral Regulator with Discus Buffer, even though it uses phosphate in the Discus Buffer, which is the best stabilizer, I had no difficulty with plants or algae. And feed them small amounts throughout the day or they will not be round as adults because they were not fed enough.

[@UHPhilipA]

Just bought another set of discus. This time 6 wild blue discus for my 75 gallon. :-) I appreciate this Christmas special video, Cory! Thanks!

[@timothy_b03]

Whered you get them?

[@charlenemartinez5095]

Love what you said. "Keep what you love"

[@GirlTalksFish]

I’ve always been intimidated by the supposed intense water change schedule. Maybe one day I’ll try it will a more understocked setup. Thanks for the encouragement and advice!

[@AVDB95]

I have also always been intimidated by what I read about discus : huge waterchanges, no plants, barebottem, difficult to feed, vulnerable to disease... Because of that when I recently got back into the hobby as an adult and decided to get a 5feet tank, I didn't even consider discus. Even though I have always liked how discus looked + they are one of the few schooling cichlids. By now I am pretty sure that I will get a discus tank when I have more space. I will also defnitly go for a semiunderstocked setup.

[@blkicemike4857]

I have found that Anoxic filters work really well in keeping ammonia & nitrate lvls next to none. I was blown-away when first tried, it works fish folks!!

[@MP112791]

Ah man do I miss keeping discus. They are solid fish once you acclimate them properly. Just meet their needs and keep the water clean, don't slack off on water changes. Solid advice cory.

[@Poteluz]

What do you mean don't slack off on water changes, how many times are you having to change water???? What percentage of the water???

[@paulcox4369]

Thanks Cory, l love the fact you don't just repeat what the so called experts say, if a fish is healthy & breeds in your tank you are obviously doing something right. I used to keep just discus in two 150g they bred often & sometimes two pairs would be spawning in the same tank. My tempreture was 26°C that's 79°F l think.

[@LeeDfined]

So you are saying that's not true. I just hope you not one of the ones who thi k everyone needs a million dollar tank for one goldfish. There are so many extremes in the fish community you never know what the right answer is. So the rule I go by is I do my research, but I experiment and see what works in my tank

[@S.Trades]

Obviously conditions were perfect for them.

[@minihands_]

Discus elitists sound like the tang police of saltwater

[@clamskaboo5120]

minihands _ so true

[@RTM459]

I own discus but long as you know what you are doing its easy..

[@akira3871]

Yea but the Tang police are actually correct

[@TrentNumbers]

Maybe worse

[@minihands_]

@@akira3871 yeah. definitely wouldn't keep any sort of tang in smaller than a 75g and even with that there are only a few i would do that with

[@curiositykilledthecat6538]

I'm so glad I subscribed to your channel. I'm not even getting discus, I just love your videos!

[@mc2e100]

I like this video because of its concise information based on experience. I hope our new Discus thrives. We purchased two small beautiful Discus and placed them in an established 100-gallon tank with neon tetras, ember tetras, Otocinclus catfish, and one Lemon Bristlenose Pleco. I added a Fluval FX2 canister filter. About a month ago, we placed several Indian almond leaves to raise the tannin and slowly lower the pH. The leaves are supposed to provide slight antibacterial and antifungal properties to protect the fish. I am applying parameters from this video and hope my fish come out of hiding, start eating, and begin to thrive. I hope it works. If not, I'll tell you how expensive fish and chips taste, and there may be a garage sale with a canister filter and a 100-gallon tank. :)

[@thehornwortofhornwort9832]

Picked up my first three discus, this is going to help me immensely!

[@turnipsucks6416]

Love the comment "There fish. Put them in water feed, done." Totally agree when paying $65-200 each fish, it is another ball game, and you my man have given me a bit more confidence. I may en-bold myself to keep these large fish another day. I feel like a 55 is way to small for something the size of a IHOP pancake floating around the tank. Hopefully I can grow into a significantly larger tank justifying this sort of purchase.

[@jaymenmorley4284]

dude you've helped so many people with your knowledge. cheers legend

[@eNVee323]

I liked watching the video, after seeing you be so humble in your recent. With the Discus Breeder. Your questions on there were nice and this video shows how humble you were being. Keep it up, new to the aquarium hobby (3/11/19)

[@tinas7720]

I’d really like to keep discus. They are beautiful! I’ve done some research and am going to take it slowly and make sure I have all I need and prepare for them. I’ve had feedback saying don’t start with discus if you’re a beginner.

[@MrJbree13]

I couldn't agree more. I have kept and breed discus. They're wonderful fish if you are willing to care for them properly!

[@ltmaniac6456]

We’re giving them “disc”comfort

[@creamed_cookies]

Underrated comment.

[@neginodoka23]

ha!!!

[@h2okeeper106]

Yeah i agree. Ive kept discus in the past and temperature is a big key. You can keep them at lower temps but its much easier to run into problems. When i kept them in higher temps i noticed less issues. Also i ran into horrible problems when i bought 4 at a time. When i would get 6-8 at a time they would tolerate each other much more. I believe its a type of overcrowding mentality. More fish so there isnt anything to claim. Where if you have a few they each pick a corner and the new adds get bullied. Gorgeous fish but not for me. Just a bit too timid for my liking. Easy to breed as well once you get a pair, heavy feedings with slightly cooler water change (2-3 degreees cooler). Thanks for the share!

[@somebodyelse9696]

Your skills are honing Cory. The way you guys produced the video with th b roll and how you communicated the information was on point. Awesome work.

[@mandysmith2541]

Thank you Cory, much needed video on how to keep it simple. I too have wanted to own them but have always been unsure on how to keep them. Feeling inspired now 😊

[@aaroneustice896]

Thank you for making the discus snobs angry. Much appreciated.

[@SimplyBetta]

Thanks for demystifying!

[@esmeesme7666]

I enjoy watching this because I am just learning about fish. I visited a huge aquarium store and all the discus came to look at me at one end of the tank then the other. Amazing. I did not tap the tank. I understand that they are quite smart. Thanks for all your information.

[@shesellsfish]

Best tip of all, keep what you love.

[@R1Ammar]

Hi Cory, Great video as always. Can you also mention how often we have to do water changes? There's just insane information out there.

[@jc-ii7xv]

I keep discus. Great video. Best advice I've seen in a long time

[@troydarrellclark]

I kept and bred discus for years and I found that consistency is more important than a specific PH or hardness, etc. I always acclimated my discus to my waters parameters. At first I tried adjusting the PH to lower it but found that PH swings cause way more problems and a well acclimated fish is very healthy. I also, did not limit my movement and stuff. They start out shy and if you treat them that way they will always be shy. They will eventually learn that not every movement is something that is going to eat them and settle down well. All of my fish were calm when you were in the fishroom and walking around. Agree on the 85 degrees. Thats the best temp to keep them at.

[@ahsanraza4114]

I mainly kept saltwater tanks. Just got into freshwater and bought 6 discuss. I was doing my research and was surprised by 90% water changes suggestion every day lol. I don't barely do water changes on my saltwater tank. I failed to understand the need for 90% water change. My saltwater fish will choke if I ever do 90% water change. You are the first person I heard who is talking sensibly.

[@gillpard]

I was always apprehensive about keeping Discus, because of people saying they are so difficult to keep. And you have to use RO Water with Minerals etc. And yes you have to feed only Beefheart. I decided to wait and find somewhere with Stendker Discus That had been acclimated to local waters and had already gone thru the rough patch. I feed mine on Tetra Pro Color Crispa, NT Labs Priobiotic, Cichlid Green and Red, Shrimp Enhancer, JMC Pellets, Tetra Prima, Tropical Shrimp Sticks and Discus Pellets. And they love the ONip tabs equivalent we have here in the UK. Tankmates are Rams, Guppies, Cardinals, Cories, Glass Cats and a few BN Plecs.

[@Ahzahail]

Finally advice that sounds reasonable. Thanks Cory!

[@rajadey4919]

Advice is priceless. Experience matters but sir we in India is missing AquariumCoop. Such a big and fast growing economy with a huge market base..we really need Aquarium Coop here.

[@BenOchart]

Great tips Cory. I may set up a discus tank again at some point. I kept them before I was keeping ACs and miss their calm beauty. Thanks!

[@MBBTigger1357]

Ben Ochart , that would be awesome as I am a discus keeper and could learn from you as well.

[@whynot6406]

I can confirm discus will thrive by itself. Your tips are amazing btw thanks!

[@danielmccoy1021]

Merry Christmas!! HOPE YOU AND THE TEAM HAVE AN AMAZING HOLIDAY. THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOY DO FOR US

[@Cichlid_4_ever]

I’ve kept a single female San merah and she does really well in my cardinal, neon, betta, pea puffer pleco tank. High temps she spooks easy but she’s gorgeous

[@WinniesDiscus]

"If you are enjoying those fish, you're doing discus correctly." Well said Cory, well said.

[@ghazanfaransari]

Very true and realistic video. Despite of various details by other people. I think that this is the best guide ever.... Good work. Indeed this hobby is purely for enjoyment and not for self stress.

[@CarlosAlvarez-fv3di]

Great video was nervous to start buying discus, but after watching your video, I’m diving in 🤩 thanks again love all your videos

[@raymondnadeau9529]

Everything he says i have found out the hard way. Now my discus are thriving and my fish are beautiful. Everyone says they are skiddish... Well my i have the delta force od discus they never hide even when new people want to veiw them. I do have them in a very high traffic area. All i can say im very happy with them.

[@MrMovieguy12]

Excellent video. I've been keeping fish for many years and tried discuss without much success. Your advice has inspired me to try again.

[@Chennai_pasanga]

Very encouraging words sir. I just started with 4 and very stressed out due to multiple advices in internet. Yours was very practical

[@Carolina-ql1kn]

How are your discus doing? Any advice?

[@MrPrentissDJones]

I like this video, straight to the point/direct. Give your experience, tell it like it is. Video done! Thanks for sharing!

[@hbarwickjr]

Been considering discus for my 75 community. Your advice is well noted. Thank you

[@theone5404]

Right on. Nice informative video. I keep wild discus and German discus in the same tank with geophagus, satanoperca, fancy pleco's, calvus and severum. I keep the temp at 84 degrees 85% of the year. In July and August, I knock it down to 80. My ph is 7.8 and i so a 50% water change once a week and feed Sera Discus Granulars and tropical wild discus Granulars, North Fin veggie and krill and I give the tank bloodworms brine shrimp and freeze dried black worms once a week. My fish thrive.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Love the B-roll guys! Great info too 😀

[@MayDEVILLE-v5m]

Thank you so much for this video it helps me so much really good video. Gives me a better understanding on discus fish, not 100% water change every time, very extreme. Very good video!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@dharshikadevanamby3405]

Your vids are the best thanks to you I have started my first tank (community tank) and they are all thriving inc having a pea puffer and a Betta. My next is a cichlid tank so learning a lot from you. Thank you x

[@Nokeaa]

Cory you are so awesome for making these vids for the fish keeping community! Thanks so much for taking the time to do so! Appreciate you brother

[@perryclark9354]

In a mixed tank, try staged feeding. I put food in for the more competitive tank mates first, and then after 5 minutes drop in some food aimed at the discus. Angels, killifish, rainbows and the like head up and feast on the floating food. Better classes of sinking food are then feed to the discus who congregate near the bottom of the largish tank. (8x2.5x2.5) Seems to work well. I apply the same reasoning to my mixed african tank with my frontosas

[@BenOchart]

Revisiting this older video. Thanks Cory. I might be getting back into discus and this helps.

[@rmedinaw1]

Great video . Stendker is super easy to take of as I am a first time discus owner

[@chrismagras4141]

Good video! I lost 2 out of the five because of food competition. Hate losing any fish, but it happens. Good learning experiences.

[@andysfishden6506]

I couldn't have given better advice myself. I've kept discus for 10+ years both domestic strains and wild caughts. I have never followed what everyone says of doing large water changes almost everyday, bare bottom tanks, etc. I've kept them in planted tanks, do 50-60% water changes once a week, feed pellets, crumbles and frozen foods and have never had any problems. Heck I had a planted 180 gal tank with wild and domestic discus and wild altum angels in it, and even had two wilds pair off and spawn in the tank.

[@amerthai79]

I kept a 90 gallon with a pair of cobalt blue discus for a few years and they are my absolute favorite freshwater fish. I had to have two heaters in the tank just incase one went out the other still could handle the high temp. Did a lot of watechanges anywhere 2-3 a week just to keep the water more stable .

[@aronmcntre2317]

mine love the tetra tropical XL granules, which is great as there cheap on amazon. Mine didnt like the sera granuale as much

[@Cgraseck]

Nice video Cory. I wish you and everyone else out there a joyous and peaceful evening. Cheers, Chris

[@Deepriver309]

Nice easy and best tips about discus I ever heard, keep it up Cory u doing great job 👍

[@jamesamass529]

Really helpful mate. I honestly appreciate you making this video.and thx for the help. For keeping discus fish.👍

[@madbren]

Man your video is so so true, just enjoy the hobby.

[@mandymoore5774]

OMG 100% water change daily?!? It’s bad enough doing a 50% once a week for my angels. Solid video my discus loving friend! Just an added tip, while most fish can’t handle ammonia, discus ESPECIALLY can’t handle ammonia WHATSOEVER! Learned this the hard way by doing their water changes neck & neck w my angels.

[@andrewstrathdee3831]

Great way to start Christmas Day here in Australia.cory head over this way man you’ll love it

[@killerraseru25]

This is exactly why I watched you guys and tried to asked questions i stead of looking on Google

[@lammruss]

cory i totally agree and they are not picky with the water parameters and i hope you will have a merry christmas until nexttime-lammfamm

[@R1Ammar]

Hi Cory, thank you for another great video! This has been so comforting to hear. I was discouraged to the point of not getting them with all the information out there. I do want to ask how many I can have in my 60 gallon but 24"×24" tank and how often should I perform water changes?

[@chadm9668]

Great video 👍👍 Always recommend beginners to listen to you! Super knowledgeable and never any BS advice.

[@sounakghosh761]

Nice video Cory. Helpful and meaningful. I loved the video outlay more. This is the perfect cropped ratio that you should be doing these kind of videos in. #happyfishkeeping

[@tanbryan445]

I'm from Singapore, used to visit Discus farms here. The buildings are basically zinc sheds. The fish are raised in temperatures well into the 90s.

[@donnerpartyof1839]

Discus do fine with angels but need room to feed , the discus will keep angels out of their feeding area and the angels feed faster so feed them at opposite ends of aquarium. Flakes for angels sinking food for discus . Very good video and you are right discus are not difficult.

[@petroman-cg8tt]

cory great advice, water changes are the key, low nitrates.

[@FishShenanigans-0520]

Thank you for the content love the videos!!

[@CRaXII]

I bought the Vibra Vibe because of your review. My angels love it!

[@texasmade456]

Sounds like my other hobby, Home Cinema. Everyone has an opinion.!! Thanks for the great upload.

[@rollandhavens2981]

i love your advice thankyou so much!

[@Dylamos]

I agree with everything except where you buy them. Often places like your LFS and Petco will sell random assorted discus that do not know anything at all about the genetics. I'd honestly just recommend people buy from the places simply discus recommends. IF you opt in to buy from a LFS, make sure the person selling them at least has some background knowledge of the parents and the local breeder is trust worthy. More often than not, that's where all beginner discus keeper tend to have the worst experience. That being said, solid advice. I know there's lots of comments about elitist discus keepers, but you get elitist fish keepers in all communities. The discus community IMO is still better than most communities when it comes to collecting information and getting help. simplydiscus is where i recommend everyone to start if they want to be in a good community. ALSO TO ADD, feed them a wide variety EARLY on. First day you get them dont feed, next morning feed with something new every morning.

[@ayushshakya9624]

Hhidigila

[@jaywally9893]

Thank you for your kind knowledge

[@bambookat8796]

I have always wanted to keep disus... maybe one day!

[@victorgautama6095]

Great advice 👍 thank you from indonesia

[@TheSlimington]

Very informative Cory, can't wait for tomorrow's live show!!!!!

[@eileenjarvis1213]

Thank you I just got to today for myself and thank you for about the water temperature that's the main thing I'm good at maintaining my tank keeping the water clean but I didn't know about the temperature be that warm thank you and have a healthy and happy New Year

[@nivamar8154]

Thanks for the information, Learned a lot from you! Keep up with the good work!

[@huongvaobep3729]

This fish has many beautiful colors. Full visit and wish you success

[@Cytorb]

Omg i am so so lucky that i live in the natural environment of these fishies