Breeding discus fish
In wild nature the discus fish usually starts breeding in February when after raining season which lasts from December water level rises about 24 - 30 feet (7-9 meters). Lakes with standing water form near small rivers. These lakes perfectly fit for discus breeding because some parts of the trees and bushes are now under water. Discus spawns on the leaves in a depth of 5 - 7 feet (1,5 - 2 meters). Breeding places are very crowded during the period of discus fish spawning.
The parents of a little discuses put their babies on the other side of leaves. Females are watching carefully their hatchlings while males are defending them from predators and other intruders which want to feel a taste of discus fish hatchlings.
When discus fish hatchlings turn into fry parents move them deep to the brushes and hide until they grow up to a length of 0,4 inch (1 centimeter). Then the fry starts exploring environment searching for a food and starts their own life.
Now we know how discus breeds in its habitat, let's find out some tips about discus fish breeding in aquarium.
One of the most important things that you have to remember when breeding fish in aquarium is the water. Firstly you have to learn how to keep water quality always good and only than think about discus fish breeding. That's because you will need to keep superb water quality during all this period. After it, discus fry also have to be kept in good quality water if you want them to grow up.
Another important thing is to have a pair of discuses - male and female. You can buy mature pair of discus fish that have already spawned but it will cost a lot for you. Better you will try to buy not mature. It's cheaper and while they grow up you will learn many things about aquarium and discus fish keeping and you will be more than ready for discus breeding.
Once a pair of discuses starts to have and defend its territory, you will know that it is the right time to start caring about their breeding. You have to remove other fishes from aquarium or to transfer a pair of your discus fishes to another aquarium that is prepared for them to breed.
Breeding aquarium has to be about 26 gallons (100 liters). There should be enough plants and other underwater things for discus fish to put their eggs and to feel comfortable. Also fry loves hiding.
About 2 weeks later after spawning, don't forget to transfer a pair of mature discuses back to your main aquarium. That's because fry can get parasites from their parents and get sick. In first weeks they are very weak so you have to try protecting them as much as possible. Don't forget to maintain good quality of water. Change a 5 to 10 percent of water every day.
During breeding period you should feed your discus fishes with high quality of food. I recommend you to feeding discus fish mostly with live food. It should be washed well because now we can't let our discuses to get sick. You can also breed fry with the same food, but it have to be chopped into a very small pieces that they can eat them.
After a female spawns you should know that it can do that about 15 times in a row with breaks for 1 or 2 weeks.The discus fish can breed two times a year.
Watch these videos below and I wish you good luck with discus breeding.
Discus eggs hatching
Discus guarding eggs
discus fish fry