Discus Tetra (Brachychalcinus orbicularis)
| Discus Tetra Brachychalcinus orbicularis | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Discus Tetra |
| Name Lat. | Brachychalcinus orbicularis |
| Family | Characins |
| Family lat. | Characidae |
| Order | Characins |
| Order lat. | Characiformes |
| Origin | Guyana, Suriname |
| Habitat | Rivers |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| pH | 5.5-7.5 |
| Behavior | Peaceful |
| Keeping | Group, school |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Reproduction | Egg scatterer |
| Breeding | Moderately difficult |
| Life Span | 3-5 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 10 cm |
| Temperature | 20-28 °C |
| Hardness | 1-12 °dH |
| Aquarium | ~ 300 l |
| US Units | |
| Size | 4" |
| Temperature | 68-82 °F |
| Hardness | 18-214 ppm |
| Aquarium | ~ 80 gal |
Distribution and habitat
The discus tetras originate from the coastal rivers in Guyana and Suriname. There they live in slow-flowing streams and rivers with overhanging, dense and therefore shady riparian vegetation.
Maintenance
The aquarium should have a partly dense and varied border planting and offer a lot of free swimming space. A dark substrate covered with some foliage (e.g. sea almond leaves), subdued light (floating plant cover) and soft, slightly acidic water with a weak current is ideal.
No ammonia, ammonium or nitrite should be detectable, and the nitrate value should not exceed 100 mg/l. To ensure the water quality and oxygen content, a filter and heater adapted to the aquarium size is required, as well as lighting for the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals.
Diet
The food supply consists of live, frozen and dry food. For a balanced diet, feed once a day with a high-quality dry food (flakes, granules, pellets) as well as cyclops, daphnia, mosquito larvae or artemia (live or frozen). In addition, they need regular vegetable food, such as algae leaves, pureed leafy and wild vegetables or commercial green food (spirulina, kelp)
It is recommended to feed small portions several times a day. Only feed as much as will be eaten within a few minutes. A regular and varied diet promotes health and prevents deficiency symptoms
Behaviour and compatibility
They are lively, peaceful schooling fish that are well suited for any large community tank with other peaceful fish. They should be kept in a group of at least 8-10 fish.
Basically, only mutually compatible fish species with similar requirements for water conditions and water temperature should be socialized
Sex dimorphism
The sexes are difficult to distinguish. The males are slightly smaller than the more rounded appearing females.
Reproduction and breeding
They are free spawners. In soft, slightly acidic water they usually spawn 1000-2000 eggs between fine-feathered plants. The larvae hatch after about 24 hours and swim freely after 5-6 days. The parents do not perform brood care and should be separated from the fry after spawning, as they are spawn predators.
Juveniles must be fed several times a day with special rearing food (e.g. Artemia nauplii, dust food). Breeding is hardly possible in a community tank, as the spawn is easy prey.
Important
Feeding plant foods reduces the risk of fish eating the tender shoots of aquatic plants.
The well-being of the fish should be checked regularly. Temperature should be checked daily, pH, hardness and nitrate levels at least every 14 days. Regular partial water changes are recommended, even if the contaminant level has not yet reached the upper limit. Sudden changes in water quality should be avoided. Newly introduced fish must be accustomed slowly to the water in the aquarium.
Further literature can be found in your pet store.
References
Text: petdata; Image: Alex Rinesch
Source: BMELV (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); RIEHL & BAENSCH (2006): Aquarien Atlas Bd. 1, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch
- Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF