Cobalt Blue Discus
The Cobalt Blue Discus Fish is a stunning fish perfect for the home aquarium. They are peaceful and easy to care for, making them excellent for beginner aquarists.
These fish are native to the Amazon River Basin in South America and can grow up to 7 inches in length.
This guide will teach you everything you need to know about caring for your new Cobalt Blue Discus Fish.
Characteristics
| Scientific Name | Symphysodon Aequifasciatus |
| Common Name | Cobalt Blue Discus, Neon Blue Discus, Discus |
| Size | 8- 10 inches |
| Lifespan | 5 years |
| Temperature | 82-86F |
| pH | 6.4 -7.2 |
| Hardness | 1° to 8° dH |
| Origin | Amazon basin of S. America |
| Tank Size | 40-gallon |
| Behavior | semi-aggressive |
| Diet | Carnivore |
Cobalt Blue Discus Origin & Habitat
The Cobalt Blue Discus is native to the Amazon River Basin in South America. These fish that prefer to be in groups inhabit slow-moving waters and can be found in ponds, lakes, and rivers.
Cobalt Blue Discus Appearance & Colors
This fish has a delicate design and a light blue color. Some cobalt blue discus fish have black stripes down their bodies, making them even more distinctive.
The distinguishing feature of cobalt blue discus fish is that they display their hues early, unlike many other discus fish strains.
The cobalt blue discus fish will usually be its natural hue around three months old. These hues will brighten as they mature.
Mature Cobalt Blue Discus fish will reach around 10 inches (25 cm) in length.
How to Care for Cobalt Blue Discus?
1. Water Parameters
Water Changes
Water quality is crucial for the health of your discus fish. It is recommended to do a 25-50% water change every week to keep the water clean and free of toxins.
To make sure your water changes are effective, it is crucial to test the water parameters regularly.
Water Temperature
The Cobalt blue discus originate from the Amazon River Basin; thus, they require warm water. The ideal water temperature for these fish is 82-86 degrees Fahrenheit.
pH Range
Considering that the natural habitats of these fish are soft and acidic, Cobalt blue discus will do best in a pH range of 6.4-7.2.
Remember, maintaining a stable pH level is essential to prevent stress and illness in your fish.
Carbonate Hardness
The water’s carbonate hardness (KH) is essential to maintain a stable pH level. The ideal KH level for Cobalt blue discus is 1-8 dKH.
If the KH level drops too low, the pH level will become unstable and potentially harm your fish.
Ammonia, Nitrite & Nitrate
Toxins like ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate can build up in the aquarium over time and be harmful to your fish.
As a result, you should maintain ammonia and nitrite levels at 0 ppm, and nitrate levels should be below 20 ppm.
So, it is essential to test for these toxins regularly and change the water if they get too high.
2. Tank Setup
Tank Size
Cobalt blue discus are semi-aggressive fish and should be kept in groups of 5 or more. They require a lot of space to swim and should be kept in a tank of at least 40 gallons.
It is also essential to have a large tank because these fish produce a lot of waste, and the water can become dirty quickly.
Hiding Places
Since Cobalt blue discus are semi-aggressive, they may chase other fish around the tank. So, it is essential to provide hiding places for your fish to feel secure.
You can add caves, plants, and driftwood to the aquarium. It is also essential to have plenty of open space in the tank for these fish to swim.
Cobalt Blue Discus Diet
This species is Carnivorous and mostly feeds on live foods such as insects, crustaceans, and small fish.
In your aquarium, they’ll consume a wide range of foods, including:
- Flakes
- Small pellets
- Frozen
- Live worms
- Brine shrimp
- Beef heart flakes
- Discus flakes
- Blood worms
- Black worms
Tubifex worms should not be fed to Discus. Tubifex has too many pathogens and poses a significant risk of introducing illness to your Discus.
Cobalt Blue Discus Compatibility
The cobalt blue discus fish is a schooling species that should be kept in at least six discus groups.
However, it is essential to avoid keeping them with aggressive fish because they will become stressed and may not thrive.
Cobalt Blue Discus Diseases & Treatment
Hole In The Head (HITH) is a disease that affects many fish species, including discus. This disease is caused by poor water quality and holes forming in the fish’s heads.
If you notice your fish has HITH, it is essential to improve the water quality and increase the frequency of water changes.
You can also treat HITH with medication, but it is essential to consult a veterinarian before doing so.
Last Words
Cobalt Blue Discus are beautiful, peaceful fish that makes a great addition to any aquarium. They are easy to care for as long as you maintain clean water and provide plenty of space for them to swim.
We hope you enjoyed this article and feel more prepared to care for your Cobalt Blue Discus. If you have any questions feel free to leave a comment below.
