Where to Buy a Discus Fish

Discus fish are bold, attractive freshwater fish that usually get along with other discus fish. It used to be that the only place a hobbyist could acquire a discus fish was to either buy one from the local pet shop or take one from out of the wild (a practice not recommended). But now there are more options.

  1. Pet Stores

    • Pet stores can be a good source of young discus fish, depending on the store. "Tropical Fishlopaedia" give these tips to determine a good pet shop: Always check every fish in the tank of the discus you are looking at to be sure none of them are dead, have white fuzz on them or are swimming sideways. Ask how long they have been stocking discus fish and see if any of the employees know about discus and water conditions for discus in particular. The store should not have an unpleasant smell.

    Online Sources

    • Pet stores usually do not stock rarer types of discus fish such as the fire dragon discus or the red spotted discus. A hobbyist would have to go through an online source to find a breeder or importer of these rare fish. Some people prefer captive-raised fish rather than getting fish out of the wild, so only go with online discus websites that explain the sources of their fish. Also, ask if hormones or injectable dyes are used on the fish in order to given them brilliant coloration. Keep in mind that adult fish will often be more expensive than a younger fish. Finding online sources can be done with a search engine, but a better way is to join an online discus community and ask for recommendations.

    Fish Shows

    • Attending a local fish show is also an ideal way to interact with discus breeders and hobbyists and find out recommendations on where to buy a discus. Contact the North American Discus Association or the British and International Discus Keepers Association to find a list of shows that specifically have discus classes. If attending a class in person is not possible, there are online photo shows, where people send in untouched photos of their fish. This is another way to look over the stock of many breeders and hobbyists.