Red Turquoise Discus

Looks how to spot one

scales

The Red Turquoise Discus has a round, laterally compressed body typical of discus fish. Its base colour is a rich red or orange, overlaid with bright turquoise blue wavy lines and spots that cover the body and fins. The pattern is the result of selective breeding and does not occur in wild discus.17

Personality what they are like

Peaceful and timid, especially during feeding. They become semi-aggressive and territorial when breeding. They are shy and need plenty of cover to feel secure, but with time they can become bold and interactive with their keeper.756

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Low to moderate. They are not strong swimmers and prefer gentle water flow. They need a spacious tank with plenty of hiding places such as driftwood, plants or rocks to feel safe.5

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Requires pristine water conditions. Weekly water changes are essential to keep nitrates below 10 ppm. A canister filter helps maintain good oxygenation and water quality. They are sensitive to ammonia and nitrite, so the aquarium must be biologically mature before adding them. Drip acclimation is recommended when introducing them to a new tank.57

Home where they are happiest

Minimum tank size of 75 gallons (about 280 litres) for a group. Water temperature 82-84°F (28-29°C), pH 5.0-7.0, KH 1-4. Soft, slightly acidic water is ideal. They do best in a planted aquarium or one with plenty of cover. They are not suitable for community tanks with boisterous or aggressive fish; good tankmates include peaceful South American tetras like cardinal or rummynose tetras.547

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Carnivorous with omnivorous tendencies. They need a high-protein diet including bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia, and high-quality discus pellets or flakes. Avoid beef heart and mammalian meats as they can cause digestive issues. Variety is important for colour and health.573

Company who they like around

Highly social and should be kept in groups. They form a clear hierarchy and are most comfortable in a school of their own kind. During breeding, pairs become territorial and may need their own space. They are not suitable for tanks with aggressive or very active fish.71

The story where it all began

The Red Turquoise Discus is a selectively bred colour variety of the green discus (Symphysodon aequifasciatus). It was developed through captive breeding programmes in Germany and later in Southeast Asia during the 1980s. German breeder Eduard Schmidt-Focke is often credited as a key early developer of turquoise discus strains. Unlike wild discus, which have more subdued colours, the Red Turquoise displays vivid red and turquoise patterns that have been fixed through generations of selective breeding.21