Red Stone Pigeon Discus - Symphysodon discus

Red Stone Pigeon Discus (Symphysodon discus)

The Red Stone Pigeon Discus is a premium captive-bred discus strain, admired for its rounded body shape, elegant swimming style and striking red, orange and white pigeon-style patterning. Its bright colour, scattered stone-like markings and calm presence make it a true centrepiece fish for a mature freshwater aquarium. Like all discus, this variety is peaceful by nature but requires warm, stable, high-quality water and carefully chosen tank mates.

Common Name:
Red Stone Pigeon Discus. Also commonly referred to as Red Pigeon Discus, Stone Pigeon Discus, Pigeon Blood Discus, Red Stone Discus or Domestic Discus.

Scientific Name (Latin):
Symphysodon discus
Please note: captive-bred discus strains may also be traded under Symphysodon aequifasciatus or Symphysodon spp. depending on bloodline and supplier.

Maximum Size:
Around 15–20 cm in captivity, depending on strain, diet, water quality and age.

Water Type:
Freshwater

Origin / Natural Habitat:
The Red Stone Pigeon Discus is a captive-bred aquarium strain. Wild discus are native to the Amazon basin of South America, where they are associated with warm, slow-moving waters, submerged roots, fallen branches, flooded forest areas and soft acidic blackwater or clearwater environments. Domestic pigeon-type discus have been selectively bred for colour, pattern and body shape, so they are generally more adaptable than wild-caught discus but still require warm, clean and stable water.

Water Parameters:
Temperature: 27–30°C
pH Range: 5.5–7.2
Hardness: soft to moderately soft water preferred

Temperament:
Peaceful but specialist. Discus are calm cichlids that should be kept with gentle tank mates that will not bully them, nip fins or outcompete them for food. Avoid aggressive, fast-moving or boisterous fish.

Diet:
Omnivorous with a preference for small animal-based foods. It should be offered a varied diet including quality discus granules, soft pellets, frozen bloodworm, brineshrimp, mysis, daphnia, blackworm where suitable, and specialist discus foods. A varied diet helps support strong colour, body condition and healthy growth.

Minimum Tank Size:
A practical recommendation is at least 300 litres for a proper group, with larger aquariums preferred for long-term stability. A 120 cm aquarium or larger is strongly recommended, as discus need swimming space, stable water volume and room to establish a social hierarchy.

Behaviour & Activity:
This is a calm mid-water cichlid that should usually be kept in a group of at least 5–6 individuals unless maintaining a proven breeding pair. In groups, discus are more confident and display more natural behaviour, but they can still form hierarchies. They appreciate tall aquariums, gentle flow, shaded areas, wood, plants and open swimming space. Sudden movement, unstable water or aggressive tank mates can cause stress.

Aquarium Category:
Community Fish
This species is peaceful enough for a carefully planned specialist community aquarium. Suitable tank mates include Cardinal Tetras, Rummy Nose Tetras, peaceful Corydoras suited to warm water, Otocinclus in mature systems, small peaceful plecos and other calm soft-water fish. Avoid fin nippers, aggressive cichlids, large predators, very active barbs, cool-water fish and anything that cannot tolerate discus temperatures.

Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Discus require warm, very clean and stable water. Regular maintenance, excellent filtration, low nitrate and careful feeding are essential. They should not be added to immature aquariums or unstable systems. Captive-bred discus are generally more adaptable than wild discus, but they still need consistency, low stress and high water quality. Pigeon-based discus strains may show natural variation in red coverage, white areas, patterning and peppering, depending on bloodline and environment.

Suitable for:
Intermediate to experienced fishkeepers

Availability:
Common / occasional in trade as a captive-bred domestic discus strain

All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.