Signs of Pair Selection in Discus Fish

The discus is a small freshwater fish from South America. They adapt well to life in an aquarium, and breeding them in captivity is possible with the right care and water quality. The first step in breeding discus fish is getting a male and female to pair off. Discus breeders know of a few different signs that two fish have paired off.

  1. Mating Displays

    • The mating displays of discus fish usually include an increase in the vibrant coloration of the fish, as well as shimmying movements, say the experts at Northeast Aquatics.

    Exclusion

    • The most common sign of pair selection in discus fish is a pair excluding themselves from the rest of the fish in the aquarium. The experts at FishLore.com recommend looking for pairs of discus fish that stay together in a corner of the tank, and avoid or hide from other fish.

    Territorial Behavior

    • A mating pair of discus fish will become territorial around the area it has chosen as the spawning site. The experts at Aquatic Community recommend moving the breeding pair to a separate tank for the duration of the spawning.

    Cleaning the Spawning Site

    • Another sign of pair selection in discus fish is two fish picking at or cleaning a surface in the aquarium, according to the experts at Northeast Aquatics. Discus fish usually lay their eggs on a flat surface such as a plant leaf or rock.