Fish Compatible with Discus
Tank mates tested alongside discus
Cardinal Tetra
Paracheirodon axelrodi
The #1 tank mate for discus — native to the Rio Negro, the same biotope. Tolerates 28–30°C perfectly.
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Rummynose Tetra
Hemigrammus bleheri
Silvery fish with a bright red nose — the nose color is a natural indicator of water quality.
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Corydoras Sterbai
Corydoras sterbai
The ONLY Corydoras that thrives at 29–30°C. Cleans the bottom without competing for food.
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Ember Tetra
Hyphessobrycon amandae
Tiny, very peaceful orange fish — spectacular effect in schools of 15–20.
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Ancistrus (Bristlenose Pleco)
Ancistrus sp.
The most popular pleco for discus tanks — small, peaceful and tolerates 29°C.
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L134 Leopard Frog Pleco
Peckoltia compta
Stunning yellow-and-black pleco that tolerates 26–30°C perfectly. Small, peaceful, premium.
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Angelfish
Pterophyllum scalare
An elegant Amazonian cichlid — related to discus, compatible only in large tanks (300L+) with specimens raised together.
View details →Not every tropical fish is compatible with discus. The high temperature they need (28–30°C), their sensitivity to water parameters and the peaceful nature of discus (Symphysodon) drastically limit the list of suitable tank mates. In this encyclopedia you'll find only the tested species — Cardinal Tetra, Rummynose Tetra, Corydoras Sterbai, Ember Tetra, Ancistrus and L134 Leopard Frog Pleco — that tolerate Amazonian temperatures and won't nip at discus fins.
Watch out for the classic traps: the common neon tetra (P. innesi) is NOT a cardinal tetra — it prefers 22–26°C and dies quickly at discus temperatures. Corydoras paleatus, aeneus and julii don't tolerate 29°C (only Sterbai does). The common pleco (Pterygoplichthys) grows to 40+ cm and eats the protective mucus off discus at night — use only Ancistrus or small L-numbers. Each fish has a full profile with parameters, behavior and compatibility notes.
Discus Encyclopedia — FAQ
Here you'll find tested species that tolerate temperatures of 28–30°C, aren't aggressive and don't compete for food alongside discus. The list includes fish like Cardinal Tetra, Rummynose Tetra, Corydoras Sterbai and other suitable tank mates for discus aquariums.