What Is the Proper Water Temperature for Discus Fish?

Discus fish are a warm tropical fish originally found in the Amazon River and related waters in South America. Their sensitivity to water temperature and the surrounding environment make them a challenge to keep and breed. You will need to carefully monitor the water temperature and may need to special equipment to ensure that the temperature remains appropriate.

  1. Water Temperature

    • Discus fish require higher temperatures than most other tropical fish you'd use in your aquarium. Keep the tanks anywhere from 81.5 to 91.4°F, with the higher range of temperatures being ideal for breeding. Use an average temperature of 86°F to ensure the health of the fish and to prevent an outbreak of disease.

    Equipment

    • Invest in two high-quality fully submersible heaters with external temperature control for your discus fish aquarium. Since the temperature of the water is so crucial for discus fish, use one heater as a back-up in the event the first one fails. Also, utilize a digital thermometer rather than a conventional one for precise readings and always make sure that the temperature of new water is almost equal to the current water the discus is in to reduce the chance of shock.

    Problems

    • The warm tropical temperatures of the discus water are a breeding ground for harmful bacteria. Closely monitor your fish for any abnormal symptoms. One of the most common discus problems to be on the lookout for is the "Hole in the Head" syndrome which looks like, a hole in the head. If you catch this early on, you can save your fish by increasing the temperature of your tank to around 96.8°F for approximately a week. Pay close attention to make sure you are not cooking or causing unnecessary stress to the fish. You can also use this method with White Spot and Velvet Disease while most other infections or diseases require the administration of specialized medications. Consult a veterinarian if you are unsure of what to do with a sick discus fish.