RED PANDA

The red panda discus has a body that sports a checkerboard design with solid irregularly shaped red lines imprinted on the body's white backgrounds. The overall coloration of Discus will vary depending on mood and overall health of the fish. Discus are among the most popular aquarium fish.

Discus originate from a habitat of shaded water with branches and other dense cover and this habitat should be duplicated in the aquarium. High quality water conditions (warm, soft, acidic) must be maintained.

Becoming slightly territorial when breeding, it is best to breed an established pair, or maintain a group of young Discus and allow them to pair themselves. Warm, soft, slightly acidic water is required for spawning. The pair will clean a flat surface (usually a broad leaf or the side of the aquarium) prior to spawning. The parents must not be removed from the fry; the fry feed on their parents' mucus.

Largely carnivorous, Symphysodon spp. prefers freeze-dried bloodworms and tubifex, pellet food designed for discus, high-quality flake food, and meaty frozen foods.