The adult body length of discus fish is influenced by factors such as breed and rearing conditions. Here are the specific details:
I. Common Body Length Ranges
Regular breeds: Around 15 cm (e.g., Red Discus, Blue Discus)
Special breeds: Can reach over 20 cm (e.g., Tiger Dog Discus, Giant Turquoise Discus, Blue Giant Discus, etc.)
II. Growth Stages and Rates
Juvenile stage (0-4 cm):
Can grow as fast as 1 cm per week, reaching 4 cm in approximately 1 month.
Growth stage (4-12 cm):
Growing from 4 cm to 10 cm takes about 2 months (averaging 1 cm every 10 days).
Growing from 10 cm to 12 cm requires an additional 2 months (with a significant slowdown in growth rate).
Mature stage (12 cm+):
After exceeding 12 cm, growth slows down, and some fish stop growing entirely.
III. Key Influencing Factors
Rearing space: It is recommended to keep a single adult fish in a tank of at least 60 cm; for group rearing, a tank of over 120 cm is needed.
Water quality requirements: Weakly acidic soft water (pH 6-7) with a water temperature of 26-30℃.
Feeding strategy:
Juveniles need frequent feeding (e.g., frozen brine shrimp, beef heart ).
Adults can be fed 1-2 times a day.
Genetic lineage: Fish with excellent lineage are more likely to exceed the 12 cm size limit.
IV. Other Considerations
Wild discus have a lifespan of 5-6 years, while artificially bred varieties typically live for 2-3 years.
Discus reach sexual maturity at 14-16 months for the breeding period.