−15%
Moderate
Cardinal Tetra (Paracheirodon axelrodi)
23–27°C · pH 4.5–7 · 60L
£2.54£2.99
Brilliant Turquoise Discus is a domestic Symphysodon colour strain. Plan 300L/120 cm+, 26-29 C, pH 6.0-7.5 and a group of at least five; one unsexed fish per quantity.
Adult size is the maximum length this species reaches at full maturity (scientific sources). The livestock you receive will be younger and smaller — pick a size variant above for the actual shipping size. Product-photo provenance and any image-specific limitations are stated on the listing.
Symphysodon spp.
Save when buying multiple fish. Each quantity is one fish; sex and pair formation are not guaranteed unless the selected variant explicitly states them.
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Brilliant Turquoise Discus is a domestic Symphysodon colour strain. Plan 300L/120 cm+, 26-29 C, pH 6.0-7.5 and a group of at least five; one unsexed fish per quantity.
Adult size is the maximum length this species reaches at full maturity (scientific sources). The livestock you receive will be younger and smaller — pick a size variant above for the actual shipping size. Product-photo provenance and any image-specific limitations are stated on the listing.
23–27°C · pH 4.5–7 · 60L
24–27°C · pH 5.5–7 · 80L
18–26°C · pH 6.5–8 · 30L
23–27°C · pH 7.4–8.4 · 1000L
Keep the king of the aquarium — Discus Fish are striking South American cichlids for experienced keepers. Soft warm water, group living, and patience required. UK delivery available.
Maintain these water conditions for optimal health and vibrant colors
Brilliant Turquoise Discus is a domestic Symphysodon colour strain selected for a turquoise-blue ground colour, red to rust-toned patterning and the deep, rounded profile associated with discus fish. It is an impressive centrepiece for an experienced keeper's warm freshwater aquarium, but it is not a low-maintenance community fish. Stable water, a mature biological filter, a proper social group and a consistent cleaning routine matter more than chasing unusually bright colour.
This listing brings the available size options together on one product page. Select the live size option you want, then choose the quantity. One quantity means one unsexed fish; the listing does not promise a pair, breeding group, male, female, exact pattern or exact adult colour. Plan the eventual adult aquarium before ordering a juvenile, because a settled discus group needs substantially more room than the smallest fish in the selector suggests.
| Care point | Evidence-led recommendation |
|---|---|
| Trade identity | Brilliant Turquoise Discus, a domestic Symphysodon colour strain |
| Scientific identity | Symphysodon spp.; the supplier has not provided enough lineage evidence for a species-level identification |
| Adult size plan | Allow for a fish reaching about 20 cm across |
| Care level | Advanced; best for an experienced keeper with a mature aquarium |
| Social plan | A managed group of at least five compatible discus, unless keeping a genuinely established breeding pair in a specialist setup |
| Adult aquarium | 300 litres and 120 cm long or larger for the group; add space for companions or a larger group |
| Temperature | 26-29°C, kept steady |
| pH | 6.0-7.5, with stability prioritised over rapid adjustment |
| General hardness | 4-12 dGH as a practical soft-to-medium range |
| Ammonia and nitrite | 0 mg/l at all times |
| Diet | Quality discus granules or pellets, supported by suitable frozen or live foods in small measured portions |
| Sale unit | One unsexed fish per selected quantity |
The Brilliant Turquoise name describes a selectively bred appearance, not a wild collection locality or a separate scientific species. Young fish can look different from mature examples: turquoise patterning may become more defined with growth, while red, rust and blue coverage can vary between individuals. Lighting, background, stress, diet and water quality also change how colour appears from one moment to the next.
Use the size selector to compare the options currently available. The displayed price and stock are live for the selected option. Supplier size bands describe an approximate commercial size class rather than a millimetre-perfect measurement, so allow for normal variation in a living animal. A larger option gives more immediate visual presence; a smaller juvenile gives you more of the growth journey but still needs the same adult group and aquarium plan.
| Choice | What to consider | What it does not guarantee |
|---|---|---|
| Smaller juvenile | More growth ahead; match carefully with the size and feeding confidence of an existing group | Sex, final colour, final pattern or a smaller permanent aquarium |
| Larger juvenile or subadult | More immediate body shape and pattern; check that existing fish will accept the newcomer | Breeding readiness, dominance rank or exact adult appearance |
| XL or quality-selection wording | A supplier selection band shown in the live option menu | A proven pair, a named breeder lineage, show grading or a sex guarantee |
If you are choosing a fish to join an established discus aquarium, matching body size and feeding confidence can be as important as choosing a colour. Use our contact page before ordering if you need help interpreting the options shown live.
The safest scientific description for this stock is Symphysodon spp. (domestic Brilliant Turquoise strain). The supplier uses the trade wording “Symphysodon Brilliant Turquoise”, but provides no breeder, locality, pedigree or genetic record that would justify assigning every fish to Symphysodon aequifasciatus or another species. That distinction matters: a colour-strain name tells you what breeders have selected for, while a scientific species name makes a biological identity claim.
Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes recognises Symphysodon aequifasciatus as valid, and also records other valid identities within the genus. The product therefore keeps the useful genus-level care context without pretending that its domestic appearance proves a particular wild lineage.
This cautious label does not make the fish less desirable. Brilliant Turquoise is an established aquarium trade strain, valued for colour and body form. It simply separates what is known from what is not known, which makes the listing more useful for shoppers, search engines and future aquarium-care systems.
The four gallery images are representative illustrations, not photographs of the exact fish that will be dispatched. One image shows two discus for visual context; it is not a pair or quantity promise. The listing supplies one fish for each quantity selected.
Expect individual variation. A real Brilliant Turquoise-type discus may carry a different balance of blue-green lines, red or rust markings, vertical bars and facial patterning from the illustrations. Juveniles may strengthen or redistribute colour as they mature. No responsible listing can promise that a living fish will reproduce a rendered image exactly under different lights, backgrounds and water conditions.
Discus are social cichlids with a hierarchy. The UK's Ornamental Aquatic Trade Association (OATA) discus guidance recommends a group of at least five and approximately 50 litres per adult. FishBase also records group keeping and a minimum aquarium length of 120 cm for S. aequifasciatus. Combining those welfare anchors with room for filtration and social spacing leads to a practical store recommendation of 300 litres and 120 cm long or larger for a properly managed adult group.
Volume alone is not enough. A tall cube may hold many litres but provide too little horizontal distance for individuals to move away from social pressure. Length, open swimming room, visual breaks and stable water capacity all matter. Use the tank volume calculator to check the real internal volume after allowing for substrate, wood and equipment.
| Situation | Planning guidance |
|---|---|
| One fish joining an established group | Match size, quarantine first and confirm that the adult aquarium already has enough volume and social space |
| New long-term discus group | Plan at least five compatible discus together in 300 litres / 120 cm or more; six can spread social attention further where volume allows |
| Discus with companion species | Increase capacity beyond the discus-only baseline and check temperature, temperament, feeding speed and disease risk species by species |
| Established breeding pair | A specialist exception for fish already known to be paired; two random unsexed fish are not a proven pair |
Clean, warm and stable water is the foundation of discus care. The supplier range is 25-29°C, pH 6.0-7.5 and 0-15 dGH. OATA gives 26-30°C, pH 6.0-7.5 and 4-12 dGH for discus generally. This listing uses the conservative overlap: 26-29°C, pH 6.0-7.5 and 4-12 dGH. These are planning ranges, not a reason to force rapid chemical changes.
| Parameter | Target | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 26-29°C | Discus need warm water; sudden cooling or overheating adds stress |
| pH | 6.0-7.5 | A stable slightly acidic to neutral reading is preferable to repeated pH chasing |
| General hardness | 4-12 dGH | A practical soft-to-medium range for domestic discus husbandry |
| Ammonia | 0 mg/l | Any measurable ammonia requires immediate investigation |
| Nitrite | 0 mg/l | Nitrite interferes with oxygen transport and must remain undetectable |
| Nitrate | Below 20 mg/l | OATA's upper guidance; lower, stable readings are preferable where practical |
Test the water before purchase, after adding fish and at least weekly thereafter. If your tap water falls outside the intended range, learn how any reverse-osmosis or remineralisation system works before the fish arrives. Never add untreated RO water or chemical adjusters by guesswork. The water parameter matcher can help compare your readings with the target range, but a tool cannot replace testing, calibration and gradual adjustment.
Build the aquarium around low stress and easy maintenance. Discus benefit from open midwater swimming room, quiet refuge and visual structure without a maze of waste traps. Smooth upright wood, a dark or neutral background and heat-tolerant plants can make the fish feel secure. Leave enough open space to observe every individual at feeding time.
| Element | Recommended approach | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Filtration | Mature, oversized biological capacity with gentle, well-distributed flow | A strong jet that pins fish to one side or leaves dead waste pockets |
| Substrate | Easy-to-clean sand or another hygienic layout | Deep dirty zones that retain food and detritus |
| Decor | Smooth wood, open swimming room and broken sight lines | Sharp edges, unstable rockwork and cramped passages |
| Plants | Species genuinely able to tolerate the selected warm-water range | Assuming every common aquarium plant will thrive at discus temperatures |
| Lighting | A predictable day/night cycle with shaded areas | Abrupt, intense lighting without cover |
| Oxygen | Good surface movement without excessive current | Warm, still water with poor gas exchange |
Warm water holds less dissolved oxygen than cooler water, while feeding and waste still create biological demand. Keep the surface moving, maintain the filter and observe breathing. Any sudden gathering at the surface, rapid gill movement or loss of balance needs immediate water-quality and equipment checks.
“Peaceful” is too simple on its own. Discus are generally less combative than many large cichlids, yet they form social relationships and a hierarchy. Dominant fish may control feeding positions or pressure a weaker individual. A proper group, adequate space, visual barriers and multiple feeding points help prevent one fish from carrying all of that pressure.
Watch the whole group rather than only the brightest fish. A healthy social pattern allows every individual to feed and occupy the aquarium. Persistent hiding, darkening, clamped fins, weight loss or one fish being repeatedly driven away is not harmless shyness. Check water quality, body condition, group structure and disease risk before simply adding more food.
Peer-reviewed work on social recognition in discus found different responses towards pair partners and non-partners in an experimental setting. That does not prove that retail fish will form a pair, but it does support treating their social behaviour as more complex than a generic community label.
Choose companions only after the discus temperature and maintenance plan is settled. OATA notes that only a limited selection of other fish is suitable. A candidate must tolerate the same warm water long term, remain calm, avoid fin nipping, feed without overwhelming the discus and be quarantined with care.
| Candidate type | Assessment |
|---|---|
| Other healthy discus of compatible size | The most natural social companions, provided the aquarium supports the full group and new fish are quarantined |
| Calm medium tetras | Possible only where the exact species shares the chosen temperature and water range; verify rather than relying on the word “tetra” |
| Warm-tolerant Corydoras or suitable plecos | Potential candidates after checking species-level temperature, diet, space and behaviour |
| Fast feeders and fin nippers | Avoid; they can prevent discus feeding normally or cause chronic stress |
| Aggressive or territorial cichlids | Avoid in a general discus display |
| Cool-water community fish | Avoid; a short-term temperature overlap is not evidence of long-term compatibility |
Do not use a product recommendation as a substitute for checking the exact species and your actual water. Our detailed discus care guide gives a wider planning framework. When comparing domestic colour strains rather than tank mates, see the Red Turquoise Discus and Blue Turquoise Discus listings.
Use a high-quality discus granule or pellet as the nutritional base, then add suitable frozen or live foods for variety. FishBase records insect larvae, insects and planktonic invertebrates in the diet of wild S. aequifasciatus; domestic fish still benefit from appropriately sized, protein-rich aquarium foods rather than one repetitive treat.
| Feed | Role | Practical boundary |
|---|---|---|
| Complete discus granule or pellet | Daily staple providing balanced vitamins and minerals | Choose an appropriate particle size and confirm every fish is eating |
| Suitable frozen foods | Variety and feeding interest | Thaw and portion hygienically; do not let leftovers decay |
| Suitable live foods | Occasional enrichment where the source is trusted | Consider pathogen and parasite risk |
| Colour-enhancing feeds | May support expression of existing pigmentation | Cannot replace genetics, health or good water and cannot guarantee a rendered colour |
Feed small portions that are consumed promptly. OATA suggests two to three smaller feeds through the day because discus have relatively small stomachs. Juveniles may need more frequent, carefully controlled feeding than adults, but more food also means more waste. Remove leftovers, keep the substrate clean and adjust the routine to body condition rather than feeding heavily for colour.
Prepare the aquarium before delivery: confirm the heater and filter are working, test ammonia and nitrite, stabilise temperature and reduce bright light. Read the instructions supplied with the order and follow them promptly. OATA recommends a gentler acclimation approach for discus, with gradual matching of aquarium water while preventing the container from cooling.
Quarantine is strongly recommended before mixing sources. A separate mature quarantine system lets you observe feeding, faeces, skin, fins and breathing without exposing an established group. It must be heated and managed to the same standard as the display; an unstable spare tank is not protective quarantine.
Discus quality is built through repeatable husbandry. OATA strongly recommends a 50% partial water change at least weekly and regular testing. The exact frequency may need to be higher in a heavily fed juvenile group, but replacement water must be conditioned and closely matched for temperature and chemistry.
| Frequency | Checks and actions |
|---|---|
| Daily | Observe every fish feeding; check breathing, posture, colour, injuries, heater and filter flow; remove uneaten food |
| At least weekly | Test ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH and hardness; complete a substantial matched, conditioned water change; clean open substrate areas |
| As required | Rinse mechanical media in removed aquarium water, never untreated tap water; preserve biological media and avoid cleaning every stage at once |
| After any change | Recheck water after adding fish, changing feeding, treating disease or altering filtration |
Record results rather than relying on memory. A log makes a slow nitrate rise, pH drift or heater problem visible before the fish show obvious distress. Stability does not mean ignoring a poor reading; it means correcting the cause in a measured way rather than swinging the aquarium between extremes.
Healthy discus should be alert, balanced, interested in food and able to hold their place in the group. Their eyes should be clear, fins intact and breathing steady. Colour can change with mood, so use it alongside behaviour and water tests rather than diagnosing from colour alone.
Ammonia or nitrite above zero is an emergency husbandry issue, not a normal part of adding fish. Protect the mature biofilter, avoid sudden stocking increases and have conditioned replacement water ready.
No. Brilliant Turquoise Discus is best treated as an advanced fish. A successful keeper should already understand the nitrogen cycle, water testing, dechlorination, heater safety, filter maintenance, quarantine and the difference between stable and merely clear-looking water. The commitment is ongoing: warm water, social monitoring and large matched water changes continue after the novelty of purchase.
A first-time discus keeper with solid general aquarium experience can succeed by preparing carefully, but this should not be a first aquarium or an impulse addition to a mixed community. Before ordering, be able to answer three questions: Where will the adult group live? How will you maintain the water every week? What is your quarantine and emergency-water plan?
Choose the live size option, check the current availability and set the quantity deliberately. Each quantity represents one unsexed fish. Prices, stock and any marked reduction are controlled by the live selector, so the product description does not freeze them into text that can become inaccurate.
UK livestock orders use tracked specialist delivery. Our delivery page explains dispatch areas, timing, packing and the Live Arrival Guarantee. The guarantee is subject to the current reporting window, photographs and other conditions on the returns and live-arrival terms; it is not an unconditional health or survival promise after acclimation.
Eligible first-time customers can use WELCOME10 for 10% off at checkout, subject to the current code terms and exclusions. Check special offers for live promotions rather than relying on an old price in descriptive copy.
Colour-strain names overlap, so compare the live product pages and choose by the appearance, size availability and care plan that suit your aquarium. The husbandry baseline remains similar, but each listing must still be checked for identity and option details.
| Listing | Useful comparison |
|---|---|
| Red Turquoise Discus | A related domestic turquoise-patterned option with stronger red emphasis |
| Blue Turquoise Discus | A blue-led turquoise strain comparison |
| Red Marlboro Discus | A red domestic strain with a different pattern direction |
| Red Alenquer Discus | Another red-toned discus listing for colour comparison |
| Blue Snakeskin Discus | A blue patterned strain with a finer snakeskin-style look |
Browse the full discus collection to compare live availability without forcing an unsuitable fish into an existing group.
This listing separates supplier facts from broader genus-level husbandry. Petra supplies the Brilliant Turquoise trade identity, the size options and a 25-29°C / pH 6.0-7.5 / 0-15 dGH care range. The more conservative store plan is cross-checked against the following sources:
No. Brilliant Turquoise is a domestic colour-strain name. This stock is identified cautiously as Symphysodon spp. because the supplier has not supplied lineage evidence that supports a more specific species claim.
You receive one unsexed fish from the selected live size option. The photograph showing two fish is illustrative and does not mean a pair or two fish are supplied.
No sex or pair is promised by this listing. Discus can be difficult to sex outside breeding condition, and two unsexed fish selected at random are not an established pair.
Plan 300 litres and 120 cm of aquarium length or more for a managed adult group of at least five. Increase capacity for more discus or companion species.
OATA recommends at least five. A larger compatible group may distribute social pressure more effectively where aquarium volume, filtration and maintenance capacity allow.
Use a stable 26-29 C for this domestic strain. Match a new fish gradually to the established aquarium and avoid sudden temperature changes.
A practical target is pH 6.0-7.5 and 4-12 dGH, with ammonia and nitrite at zero. Stable, tested water is more important than repeatedly chasing one exact pH number.
No. It is an advanced fish for a keeper who already understands mature filtration, water testing, large matched water changes, quarantine and warm-water group management.
The supplier states 15 cm, while OATA advises that adult discus can reach about 20 cm across. Plan for the larger adult welfare requirement rather than the juvenile sale size.
No. The retained images are representations. Real fish vary in turquoise, red, rust and bar pattern, and appearance changes with age, light, background, health and stress.
Sometimes, but build the aquarium around discus first. Consider only calm species that share the exact warm-water range, do not nip fins and will not outcompete the discus at feeding time.
Yes, if the plants tolerate 26-29 C and the layout leaves open swimming and cleaning space. Smooth wood, shaded areas and easy access to waste-prone areas are useful.
Use an appropriately sized complete discus pellet or granule as the staple, supported by suitable frozen or live foods. Variety should complement balanced nutrition, not replace it.
OATA recommends two to three smaller feeds through the day. Adjust for age and condition, ensure every fish eats and remove leftovers promptly to protect water quality.
Prepare stable warm water in advance, keep lighting low and follow the delivery instructions promptly. Match conditions gradually without letting transport water cool or deteriorate, then monitor closely.
Eligible livestock orders are covered under the current Live Arrival Guarantee, subject to the reporting window, photographs, destination and other conditions shown on the delivery and returns pages.
Eligible first-time customers can use WELCOME10 for 10% off at checkout, subject to the current discount terms and exclusions.
Yes. A mature heated quarantine system lets you observe feeding, breathing, body condition and waste before exposing an established group to a fish from another source.
