There are two main species of Discus - the Common Discus and the Heckle Discus. Both species are from the Amazon River and its primary tributaries. Within the two main species, there are a total of five subspecies. Some of the subspecies are Red Phoenix, Blue Turquoise, and Pigeon Blood.
Discus thrive in a Amazonian environment, and do best in soft water. In order to create this environment, you can add live plants. This will help keep the CO2 and Oxygen levels in check. Bogwood and other river wood is also helpful. If you are intending to breed Discus, they must have a bare-bottom tank. .It is best to keep them alone or with other Discus as they are very shy and docile by nature. Due to their special water requirement, this is another reason for not housing other fish with Discus.
Discus can start to reproduce at around 10 months of age but it is very difficult to determine their gender. The only sure way to tell is by looking at their breeding tubes (when they are in the mating mood). If they are not in the mood, you can do an unscientific evaluation by observing their behavior in the tank. The male is the aggressor and Discus will pair off. If you see two of them hanging out together, watch them and see if its aggression or courting. This is still no guarantee because females can lay eggs without having a male in the tank. I guess the best way to ensure you have a male and female is to buy about 6 Discus and hope the odds are in your favor!
If you do notice a pair of Discus starting the mating ritual, it is best to isolate them from the others in the tank. You can put them in their own tank or use a fine-screen tank divider. This is to ensure the others don't kill the babies.
Discus usually lay their eggs in the evening and if you ever get the chance to watch them make sure you do because it is very fascinating. .The female will find a suitable spot, take a few runs at it and then the male will come in behind and fertilize the eggs. In three days time, the eggs will develop into wrigglers
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