Rafflesia Cross Discus
$98.00 – $213.00
Have you ever peered into the interior of a translucent and vibrant marble—so small, yet seeming to hold within an infinitesimal universe? The vermillion dye commands your eye, swirling amongst patches of crimson and gold, quite similar to the skin of the Rafflesia Cross Discus. The colors suffused within the marbles I played with as a kid are fondly recalled when I behold this captivating fish.
It’s fascinating how we could enjoy hours of fun playing such a simple game with a toy some kids might overlook today. Beautiful orange-red marbles might be a reminder of a time gone by, but they’re also a symbol of the simple treasures near us like this discus fish, swimming through its tank in its own world, mirroring our own. Our worlds perhaps closer than we first realize, separated by glass which contains but also reveals, much like the surface of beautiful marbles holding the radiant colors reflected on the skin of this fish.
The everyday sight of this alluring fish in my tank at home would be a delight, prompting me to pause and witness all of the natural beauty which surrounds us.
- Reviews (2)
- The Discus.com Gold Seal
- Discus Care
- Shipping Information
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Every fish we sell bears our gold seal that represents the Discus.com promise to our customers. When you make a purchase with us, you are entrusting our team with shipping you a collector grade specimen of unparalleled quality, beauty, size, and heft based on our judgement accrued over 25 years of experience. We guarantee the fish you receive will match the exact fish represented in our product photos. We are the gold standard of discus. Note: our discus are always measured from tip of nose to end of tail. |
| Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Care Level: | Moderate, see our Learning Center for comprehensive care. |
| Temperament: | Peaceful |
| Color Form: | Huge variety available |
| Lifespan: | 15-25 Years |
| Adult Size: | 8-12 inches |
| Diet: | Omnivorous |
| Family: | Cichlidae |
| Minimum Tank Size: | 50 gallons |
| Tank Set-Up: | Bare-bottom, or Intermediate |
| Compatibility: | Often compatible |
Natural Habitat for Discus
Discus are found in floodplain lakes and flooded forests of the lowland Amazon River basin and some of its tributaries, including the Rio Negro. These areas experience extreme changes in water level due to seasonal flooding. Discus tend to congregate near fallen trees, known as “galhadas”, along the shore. They prefer quiet water, and are rarely found in areas where there is strong current or wave action.
Discus Water Requirements
Discus prefer warm, soft, acidic water. pH should be between 6.0 and 7.0, with hardness between 1° and 4° dKH (18 to 70 ppm). Temperature should be kept between 82° and 89° F. Water conditions for both wild and hybrid discus are the same. While captive bred discus can be kept in dechlorinated tap water reverse osmosis or deionized water supplemented will ensure the the best conditions. Discus require pristine water quality, and depending on the filtration system being used, a weekly or bi-weekly water change of 10% to 25% is highly recommended. Don’t forget to treat tap water with conditioner before refilling your aquarium!
Housing Requirements for Discus
Discus grow to be quite large, and full sized discus will require an aquarium of 50 gallons or larger when they reach adult size. Tall aquariums are best, to accommodate their body shape. Current should be gentle, and décor if used at all should include large broadleaf plants and driftwood that is arranged vertically to simulate downed branches and trees. A few floating plants can also be added to provide shaded areas and cover. Substrate should be fine to medium grade and smooth surfaced, as discus like to forage along the bottom for food.
Discus Behavior/Compatibility
Discus are generally calm, peaceful fish, but as cichlids they can be aggressive toward one another, especially when attempting to pair off and spawn. Shy or submissive fish should be removed if they are unable to compete. Most serious hobbyists do not mix their discus with too many other species. However, suitable aquarium mates include cardinal tetras, neons, emperor and rummy nose tetras, as well as clown loaches and dwarf cichlids such as rams and Apistogramma species. All of these fish tolerate the high temperatures and low pH/hardness required by discus.
What do Discus Eat?
In nature discus eat a considerable amount of plant material and detritus, but also forage along the bottom looking for worms and small crustaceans. They are omnivores and will thrive on freeze dried black worms, beefheart, frozen blood worms, and a variety of pellet and flake food. Frozen and live foods may be fed as treats or to help induce spawning. For best results, rotate their diet daily and feed only what they can consume in 2 to 3 minutes, once or twice a day.
Discus Breeding Level – Difficult
Captive bred discus will pair up and spawn relatively easily, but young, inexperienced parents may eat their eggs the first few times, particularly if other fish are present. After hatching the young feed on heavy body mucus secreted by the parents for a few days until they begin to free-swim. Parents will transfer the young back and forth several times a day.
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Q: How are your stated fish measurements conducted? A: All measurements are made from tip of nose to end of tail. Photographs are representative of the strain or variety, and not the exact specimens that will be shipped. Q: How do I make a purchase? A: Every discus you see on our website is available for immediate purchase and ready to be shipped to you. Click the “Add to Cart” button on your desired products, adjust your quantities, and follow the checkout instructions. We honor all special requests. Please allow a 2-day minimum handling period for discus. Shipping Tiers for Live Tropical Fish:
Blackworms: Free USPS Postal Shipping Plants: $10 FedEx Priority Shipping, Minimum Order: $15 International Buyers Please Note: Import duties, taxes and charges are not included in the item price or shipping charges. These charges are the buyer’s responsibility. Please check with your country’s customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to purchasing. |
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Hi, yes the fish is alive and well. A little disappointed once again, it came in the wrong color. I wanted a red colored discus to complete my set (as shown in the first picture) - the fish is orange. I already have an orange one and my orange one is actually even darker colored. I know these fish change colors based on mood, health and growth. Maybe it will change to red, if not..not much I can do at this point.
For reference, the first picture is what I expected generally. From Michael: Hi April, the fish you selected is a “cross” strain, which means it’s not a pure red. Even in my photos, none of the fish exhibit a pure dark red color. Also, he’s still young. Thanks for keeping me posted. If a deep red is what you’re looking for, I have plenty to choose from next time. Please indicate your preference in the comments box on the order form.
Simply Breathtaking! The Large Rafflesia (Red Body) is amazing, graceful, and sociable. Very nice pattern, colors, and shape. Michael does a fantastic job getting to know the customer, their preferences and answering their questions before, during and after the sale. This is my second (and largest) order from Discus.com, and will not be my last! Excellent fish, and excellent experience overall! Thank you Discus.com / Michael Li!