Tank mates
Discus tank mates
Symphysodon aequifasciatus
The best tank mates for the Discus, matched on temperature, pH and temperament, with the reason each species fits.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated
TL;DR, Discus tank mates
The Discus is an easy-going community fish that settles best around 28 to 31 °C and pH 5.5 to 7. Good tank mates are species happy in that same water that won't nip it or get eaten. From the catalogue that comes to 54 fish, 71 plants, 10 shrimp and 4 mosses, each listed below with why it works. Match those numbers, keep group sizes sensible, and you've got a peaceful tank.
Compatible fish
Showing 15 of 54- Black Neon TetraHyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodiTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Temperament ✓
- Black Phantom TetraHyphessobrycon megalopterusTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Temperament ✓
- Bloodfin TetraAphyocharax anisitsiTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Temperament ✓
- Buenos Aires TetraHyphessobrycon anisitsiTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Temperament ✓
- Endler's LivebearerPoecilia wingeiTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Temperament ✓
- Glowlight TetraHemigrammus erythrozonusTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Temperament ✓
- GuppyPoecilia reticulataTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Temperament ✓
- Harlequin RasboraTrigonostigma heteromorphaTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Temperament ✓
- Honey GouramiTrichogaster chunaTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Temperament ✓
- Lemon TetraHyphessobrycon pulchripinnisTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Temperament ✓
- Penguin TetraThayeria boehlkeiTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Temperament ✓
- Pristella TetraPristella maxillarisTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Temperament ✓
- Silver Tip TetraHasemania nanaTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Temperament ✓
- Three-spot GouramiTrichopodus trichopterusTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Temperament ✓
- Bleeding Heart TetraHyphessobrycon erythrostigmaTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Temperament ✓
Compatible plants
Showing 12 of 71- Amazon FrogbitLimnobium laevigatumTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Plant-safe ✓
- Anubias BarteriAnubias barteri var. barteriTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Plant-safe ✓
- Anubias Barteri 'Petite'Anubias barteri var. nana 'Petite'Temp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Plant-safe ✓
- Anubias Barteri NanaAnubias barteri var. nanaTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Plant-safe ✓
- Anubias CoffeefoliaAnubias barteri 'Coffeefolia'Temp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Plant-safe ✓
- Aponogeton CrispusAponogeton crispusTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Plant-safe ✓
- Asian AmbuliaLimnophila sessilifloraTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Plant-safe ✓
- Bacopa CarolinianaBacopa carolinianaTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Plant-safe ✓
- Bacopa MonnieriBacopa monnieriTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Plant-safe ✓
- Brazilian PennywortHydrocotyle leucocephalaTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Plant-safe ✓
- Cryptocoryne WalkeriCryptocoryne walkeriTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Plant-safe ✓
- Dwarf HygrophilaHygrophila polyspermaTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Plant-safe ✓
Compatible shrimp
10 matches- Black Rose ShrimpNeocaridina davidi 'Black Rose'Temp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Adult shrimp ✓
- Blue Dream ShrimpNeocaridina davidi 'Blue Dream'Temp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Adult shrimp ✓
- Ghost / Glass ShrimpPalaemon paludosusTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Adult shrimp ✓
- Green Jade ShrimpNeocaridina davidi 'Green Jade'Temp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Adult shrimp ✓
- Red Cherry ShrimpNeocaridina davidiTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Adult shrimp ✓
- Snowball ShrimpNeocaridina palmata var.Temp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Adult shrimp ✓
- Yellow NeocaridinaNeocaridina davidi 'Yellow'Temp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Adult shrimp ✓
- Amano ShrimpCaridina multidentataTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Adult shrimp ✓
- Bamboo / Wood ShrimpAtyopsis moluccensisTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Adult shrimp ✓
- Vampire ShrimpAtya gabonensisTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Adult shrimp ✓
Compatible mosses
4 matchesFrequently asked questions
Direct answers to the questions search engines and AI assistants surface most often about this species.
What can live with Discus?
Peaceful species that share its water. Good picks from the catalogue include Black Neon Tetra, Black Phantom Tetra and Bloodfin Tetra, plus compatible plants, shrimp and mosses. The full list with reasons is above.
How many Discus should you keep together?
The Discus is a schooling fish, so keep a group of at least 6. A bigger group looks better and the fish feel safer, so they colour up and stop hiding.
Are Discus shrimp-safe?
Mostly. Adult shrimp are usually fine with the Discus, but shrimplets can be eaten, so give a breeding colony plenty of moss and cover.
Do Discus eat plants?
No. The Discus is plant-safe, so it won't tear up a planted tank. That's why so many plants show up in the list above.