Blue Diamond
Symphysodon sp.
Description
The Blue Diamond impresses with its solid color, featuring a uniform electric blue without any stripes or bars. It is likely the most recognizable discus variety worldwide.
🌍 Origin & History
The Blue Diamond originated in Southeast Asian breeders in the early 1990s and quickly became one of the most popular varieties in the world. It was introduced to the international market around 1992. It comes from the intense selection of specimens with solid blue color from turquoise lines.
Appearance
The entire body is covered with metallic blue scales, with no visible stripes or bars. The color ranges from deep cobalt blue to electric turquoise blue, with a strong metallic sheen. It does not exhibit vertical stress bars. Red eyes are highly desirable. The fins are blue, transparent at the edges. The body is symmetrical and well-rounded.
🧬 Genetic background
The Blue Diamond gene is recessive. It originates from Turquoise Blue discus through selection for the complete elimination of vertical bars and the unification of solid color. Crossing two Blue Diamonds produces 100% Blue Diamond offspring. When crossed with other varieties that have vertical bars, the offspring may carry the Blue Diamond gene without expressing the solid color.
Recommended water parameters
Care
Relatively robust compared to other varieties. It tolerates a broader range of parameters than delicate strains.
Breeding
Prolific in good conditions. Pairs form stable bonds. Two Blue Diamonds produce 100% Blue Diamond offspring.
💡 Practical tips
- →A black background maximizes the blue color
- →Blue lighting enhances the metallic sheen
- →Avoiding crossing with bar varieties maintains solid color in offspring
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Other varieties in the Turquoise / Blue group
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