Blue Diamond Discus
Blue diamond discus is a beautiful and sought-after freshwater fish native to the Amazon Basin in South America.
Since its introduction into the hobby, Discus has long been regarded as one of the most colorful, demanding, rewarding, and costly tropical freshwater aquarium fish types.
With their fascinating blue color and elegant shape, blue diamond discus fish are a stunning addition to any aquarium!
This guideline will go over everything you need to know about blue diamond discus fish, from their diet and care requirements to their ideal tank mates.
Characteristics
| Size | 12 inches |
| Temperature | 82 – 88 F |
| pH | 6.8 to 7.2 |
| Hardness | 150 PPM or less. |
| Origin | Amazon Basin |
| Tank Size | 50 gallons |
| Lighting | Moderate |
| Temperament | Peaceful and Social |
| Diet | carnivorous |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
Blue Diamond Discus Origin & Habitat
The Blue Diamond Discus is a popular discus fish found in the wild in South America’s Amazon and Rio Negro regions, where they were first introduced into the aquarium hobby in the early 1930s.
They live in shallow fresh water and congregate among tangled roots and branches, where the water is slow-moving, for protection from predators.
Blue Diamond Discus Behavior
The blue diamond discus are sociable fish that should be maintained in groups of at least six individuals, and once their pecking order is established, they will cohabit peaceably alongside other fish.
Blue Diamond Discus Features
1. Appearance
The Blue Diamond discus has thin oval-shaped bodies and long embellished fins, making it one of the most beautiful freshwater fish in the world.
2. Color
This fish is known for its brilliant, iridescent blue hue. A quality Blue Diamond Discus should have a solid blue body and red eyes, with some having a slight yellow tint on the tail fin.
3. Length
These fish can grow up to 12 inches in length.
How to Care for Blue Diamond Discus?
1. Water Parameters
Water Changes
The requirements for Discus are more flexible than those of other fish. They can survive in a wider range of water conditions as long as the changes are gradual and the fish has adequate time to acclimate.
However, water changes are still essential to maintain a healthy environment for your fish and should be done weekly.
When performing a water change, it is essential to use dechlorinated water at the same temperature as the water in the tank.
Water Temperature
The blue diamond discus is tropical fish that belongs to the Amazon basin, where the water temperature is around 82 and 88 degrees Fahrenheit. So, it is crucial to maintain the same water temperature in aquariums.
pH Range
When it comes to ph level, blue diamond discus are not very demanding. However, it is essential to maintain a stable pH level and make sure that any changes are made gradually.
They can tolerate a wide range of pH levels, from 6.8 to 7.2
Ammonia, Nitrite & Nitrate
One of the essential steps is to ensure that the ammonia and nitrite levels are at 0 ppm. If these levels rise, it can cause serious health problems for your fish.
Keeping the nitrate levels low (below 20 ppm) is also essential, as high nitrate levels can lead to algae growth.
Water Movement
These hardy species can tolerate a reasonable range of flow rates, from slow-moving to medium-moving water. However, it is essential to make sure that any changes are made gradually.
Carbonate Hardness
The mineral content of the water where these fish reside is shallow, making it “soft” water with a water hardness of 150 PPM or less. So, make sure to maintain the same water hardness in your aquarium.
2. Tank Setup
Tank Size
Blue diamond discus fish are peaceful fish that grow up to 12 inches, so a 50-gallon aquarium is sufficient for keeping a small group of these fish.
However, if you plan to keep a larger group of discus, you will need a larger tank.
Generally, you should allow 10 gallons of tank space per fish. So, if you are planning on keeping a group of 10 fish, you will need a 100-gallon tank.
Lightings
These species require moderate lighting and do well in both planted and unplanted aquariums.
However, If intense aquarium illumination is utilized for plant development, be sure there are enough shaded places for the Blue Diamond Discus to hide when needed.
Filtration
Opting for a tank filter is always a good approach to maintain the water quality of your aquarium.
However, it is essential to ensure that the filter you choose is powerful enough with moderate water flow to filter all the water in the tank at least once per hour.
You should also make sure that the filter has a reasonable turnover rate and that it can remove both large and small particles from the water.
Hiding Places
Blue Diamond Discus aquariums should be designed to resemble their natural Amazonian habitat that contains plenty of plant life and branching roots.
This will provide your fish with plenty of places to hide and feel secure. It is also essential to provide your fish with a few caves or holes that they can swim into and out of.
Is Blue Diamond Discus Hardy?
One of the reasons why blue diamond discus is so popular is because they are relatively hardy fish.
They can tolerate a wide range of water conditions and do not require as much care as some other fish.
It is still essential to provide them with the proper care to maintain their health and prolong their life span.
Blue Diamond Discus Diet
The Blue Diamond Discus are primarily carnivorous and should be fed a variety of meaty nutritional foods, including :
- Granular pellets (there are specific brands for Blue Diamond discus that enhance coloration)
- High-quality flake food
- Frozen meaty food (brine shrimp, beef heart, etc.).
- Blood worms
- White worms
- Tubifex Worms
- High protein pellet
- Flake foods
Feeding Frequency
Juveniles should be fed three to five times per day, whereas adult discus should be fed twice to three times per day.
They also should be fed a quantity of food that they will consume in ten minutes.
Blue Diamond Discus Compatibility
Blue diamond discus is peaceful fish that can be kept with other peaceful fish.
However, it is essential to ensure that the other fish in the tank are not too aggressive, as this can stress the blue diamond discus.
Also, the Diamond Discus will require a spacious aquarium to ensure their safety while spawning since they will become considerably more defensive.
Recommended tank mates include:
- Most Tetra species
- Loaches
- Cory catfish
- Smaller Plecostomus species
- Siamese Algae Eaters
- Ottocinclus
- Rams
- Peaceful Rasbora species
- Rainbowfish
- Hatchet fish
- Pencilfish
Blue Diamond Discus Breeding
It’s difficult to breed the Blue Diamond Discus, and it’s not suggested for first-time breeders.
The First step you need to select your breeding pair. You can buy a verified pair or house a group of at least six juveniles, and they will pair naturally.
Before spawning, the pair will need to be transferred to a separate, bare-bottomed rearing tank. This is essential since it reduces the amount of cleaning required.
Also, you must maintain the breeding tank parameters py providing them with warm, soft, and somewhat acidic water.
While spawning, the pair will clean a flat surface, then the female will lay up to 500 eggs, which the male will fertilize.
After the fry has been born, the parents should not be removed from them because the fry will feed on their parents’ mucus.
The parents should be removed when the fry is old enough to accept infusoria and live brine shrimp.
This will guarantee that the parents are more relaxed, allowing them to better care for their young.
Last Words
The Blue Diamond Discus is a beautiful and unique fish that will add color and life to any freshwater aquarium.
If you have the time and commitment to provide them with the proper care, you will be rewarded with a stunning addition to your aquarium.
We hope that this article has provided you with the information you need to decide whether or not the Blue Diamond Discus is the right fish for you.
If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below.
