But as I get older and the fine print ever more difficult to read, I have discovered that it is right and good to read as much as possible before I do anything, even when I think I know what I'm doing. It's a paradox. If nothing else, reading up on a subject is an affirmation that we are indeed no longer novices, and there is hope that we can succeed given a bit of luck and a modicum of common sense. There is little difference between keeping discus and any other South American fish. If you have managed to keep an oscar, corys, or angelfish and apply a few basic principles, you should have little trouble keeping discus.
Discus are true tropical fishes, hailing from the warmest river waters of equatorial South America.
This means they require warm water. But low water temperature is stressful and the discus will break down over time, being especially receptive to intestinal flagellates, or Hexamita. These high temperatures are also used when treating the fish for some conditions, such as Hexamita , by speeding metabolism and the function of medications. Before you bring your new discus home, you must have the tank ready and the filter cultured. It's a fool's game to think that you can buy the fish and then set up the tank.