The Blood Red Discus 8/9cm is a striking colour variety of Symphysodon, bred for its intense, solid red body colour. In a warm, soft‑water aquarium with good filtration and stable parameters, these Blood Red Discus develop into bold, eye‑catching centrepiece fish that really stand out against green plants and dark backgrounds.
At roughly 8–9cm, these Blood Red Discus 8/9cm are juvenile to sub‑adult size, giving you the opportunity to grow them on, watch their colour intensify and potentially pair up in a well‑maintained discus aquarium.
Appearance and Size
- Variety: Blood Red Discus (Symphysodon sp.)
- Colour: rich, solid red to deep orange‑red body, with individual variation in tone and pattern
- Shape: classic round discus body with tall dorsal and anal fins
- Size at sale: approximately 8–9cm
- Adult size: can grow significantly larger in a suitable aquarium
Lighting, diet and water quality all influence how your Blood Red Discus colour up over time.
Tank Requirements for Blood Red Discus 8/9cm
Blood Red Discus 8/9cm do best in warm, clean, stable conditions:
- Tank size: a minimum 3–4ft tank for a small group of discus, larger is better
- Temperature: warm water, typically around 28–30°C
- Décor: planted or bare‑bottom setups both work; many keepers prefer plants and wood for a natural look
- Filtration: strong, reliable filtration with gentle flow and excellent biological capacity
Discus are social cichlids and are best kept in groups rather than singly. A calm, well‑scaped tank helps your Blood Red Discus feel secure and display natural behaviour.
Water Parameters (Guide Only)
Blood Red Discus prefer soft, slightly acidic, very clean water:
- Temperature: around 28–30°C
- pH: roughly 6.0–7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Hardness: soft to low‑medium hardness
- Ammonia & Nitrite: 0 ppm
- Nitrate: kept as low as possible with regular water changes
Stability is critical – avoid sudden swings in temperature or pH. Good maintenance and frequent water changes are key to long‑term success with Blood Red Discus 8/9cm.
Feeding Blood Red Discus
The Blood Red Discus 8/9cm is an omnivorous cichlid that benefits from a varied, high‑quality diet:
- Staple foods:
- Quality discus pellets or granules
- High‑quality tropical pellets designed for larger cichlids
- Treats:
- Frozen foods such as bloodworms, brine shrimp and beef heart mixes (used sensibly)
- Occasional live foods where appropriate
Feed small amounts 2–3 times per day, ensuring all food is eaten within a few minutes. A good diet helps your Blood Red Discus maintain strong colour, growth and condition.
Behaviour and Tank Mates
Blood Red Discus are generally peaceful but can be shy and sensitive compared to many other cichlids:
- Behaviour: calm, graceful swimmers that prefer calm surroundings
- Social: best kept in groups of several discus rather than singly
- Temperament: peaceful, but can form hierarchies and mild pecking orders within the group
Suitable tank mates include other discus, some peaceful tetras, Corydoras and certain dwarf cichlids that enjoy similar warm, soft‑water conditions. Avoid aggressive or very active species that may stress your Blood Red Discus 8/9cm.
Important Notes
- Blood Red Discus 8/9cm are recommended for intermediate to advanced fishkeepers due to their need for stable, warm, clean water.
- Regular water changes, good filtration and careful feeding are essential.
- Always acclimate new discus slowly to your aquarium to minimise stress.
