The discus naturally resides in slightly acidic water, characteristic of tropical and equatorial forest regions. During the dry season, it lives in schools near large roots, trees, or branches where it can find refuge in case of danger. During floods, the groups disperse into the flooded forest.
The floodplain systems where discus reside are among the most species-rich ecosystems on the planet. In these regions, the Amazon River's width ranges from 6 to 12 meters, providing numerous food and shelter opportunities during floods, and conversely, exerting strong predation pressure during dry periods.