Royal Heckel Cross Discus
$67.00 – $190.00
Colorfully arrayed in tones of burnt orange, red, black, and white, this spectacular beauty is a worthy prize for any fish collector or pet lover. Its smooth disk-like shape adds to its exotic appearance, while its vivid streaks adds a certain spark. You will love how brilliantly this fish appears while slimming or playing in a tank, as its fantastic colors are put on full display. The vertical black stripes along its side, pairs well with the unique white and orange patterns intermingled within its design. This is a truly opulent Royal Discus that onlookers will be amazed by.
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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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The heckel fish seems to be improving, looking healthier, eating, more energetic so I'm hoping he'll pull through and mature nicely. The red ring leopard seems to be the one struggling the most, he's swimming sideways, very dark, looks like his skin is peeling, just overall sickly. But he's eating and the food is medicated. Here is a video I just took of him. The other two from that delivery look really nice, they are very beautiful fish and healthy.
The bag for the...More
Unfortunately, the San Merah never got better. The other 13 are doing well and eating. I included a couple photos of my other tanks.
The bag for the San Merah had lost volume, and when I opened it, the fish was extremely hypoxic trying to gasp air from the room air above the pail. I was a Cardiothoracic Surgeon for 40 years, so I’m familiar with hypoxia. Unfortunate. I would love to have him/her replaced and maybe get a few more fish, as well as those 3 plecos. The tank is 180 gallons. I now have 13 Discus, 6 dwarf gouramis and two small coconut plecos. All the smaller fish probably amount to 1 discus collectively. If I can have 1 fish per 10 gallons = 18 total. So probably 4 additional Discus. They are beautiful.
Hi Michael, I’ll definitely get you some better pictures when they are settled in. Got the Paraguard going. My one-eyed discus was reintroduced at the same time and is doing very well! Very happy about this. By chance I got a couple pictures of the new 4 hanging out together. My first shot at wild discus and they don’t disappoint.
Hi Michael! I received Discus today all is okay no problem, but there are some discus on it body that have sores on it, I don’t know it is healthy? From Michael: Normal wear and tear. Ammonia burns from shipping. Everything will heal within a week with some Paraguard.
Half of the fish that I ordered look absolutely nothing like what I bought. I don't think they're even the same breed. The "Penang Blue Knight" seems to be a Blue Tiger Turquoise. The "Red Tiger Carnation Turquoise Discus, White Base" is not even remotely white. The "Royal Heckel Cross" is either insanely pissed off and on the verge of death, or he's just warming up and needs some time to color up. What can I do to get at least the "white" fish refunded? I am absolutely shocked at how blue he is. From Michael: This customer ordered 2.5" - 3.0" baby fish. The colors are actually looking great considering the fish just landed.
Where should i post my review ? I need everyone to know how satisfied I am. All the fish were in great health when received! Very satisfied with my order ! Thank you. Only issue I've had is it looks like I received two orange discus and one was suppose to be a Fuji red and also my golden nugget pleco was a different color. Would definitely recommend you guys and I will be buying more schooling fish from you!
Wrong order? From Michael: Are you suggesting I shipped you the wrong fish? If so, the answer is not at all. You've ordered baby 3.5" fish, the fish are stressed, and this is a cross strain, and there will be a greater degree of variability.
Thanks you Al fish okay but they not look like the picture I saw on the web. My fish don’t want to eat I try to let them eat normal food from Petco and bloodworms. And they go up and down all the time everything that normal? Do I need turn off the light all the time? Thank you, Mike From Michael: You were shipped the correct fish. The discrepancy is due to stress, and the small size you ordered. Keep the temps high at 88-89F for the first few days to kill bacteria and whet their appetite. Please follow the acclimation instructions I emailed you.
Yes, All 10 discus arrived safely, all alive, and all healthy!! Thanks for picking out these beauties for us, they’re all absolutely beautiful and excellent quality!! You never disappoint!! We are loving & enjoying them all they’re so mesmerizing. We appreciate it, I’ll definitely recommend you to everyone!!
Thanks again, Dan...More
Here are some photos of the fish and my tank, (nevermind all if the cords everywhere, that's next on the agenda) They are stunning
Thanks again, Dana
Hello Michael, all of my fish arrived alive and are doing great! What do you recommend feeding them? Question, what is your favorite discus fish? In your opinion out of all the fish I received from you what color am I missing? I want a beautiful colorful collection lol. Also since you did not have the blue discus please refund me so I can order one when you get them in stock. I truly appreciate everything. Kristin
This little guy is still young and doesn't yet...More
This little guy is still young and doesn't yet resemble the advertised pictures. It will once it gets older, but the Royal Heckel still is an exceptional fish as you can see. On a side note this one is really special and I named it Mavin. If you look closely at the right side there is a MAVIN spelled on its bottom fin. How cool is that? I really like this unique one! It just goes to show the variety of colors and patterns discus display. No single one is the same. So don't ever think Michael sends the wrong fish. He gets even large orders right!
These are accurately sized fish to what I ordered. Quality discus is here at this site and great customer service as well. Don't ever doubt it. Being patient on your order will pay off, but don't be afraid to reach out to Michael on any concerns. His response is quick during business hours.
The pictures depict one fish. I want to include good pictures for the review as most reviews show a bunch and it's a guessing game which one you're wanting to actually see. I hope you find this helpful!
Thank you Michael!
I would make the suggestion of sending the email regarding on how to acclimated the fish prior to the customer receiving them and not several days after they have already delivered. But other than that I have been very pleased with the quality of fish provided and service. Thank you!
Hi Michael, everything is going well. So far they're not eating. And they keep staying on a corner.
Hi Michael here are some photos of My discus tank. You take a look and tell me your opinion of what I might need. I know I'm missing yellow in there but I've had two yellow fish and they get picked on till they no longer eat.
Thank you! Appreciate the great customer service. I've also subscribed to the week course, great info!
Michael, my fish arrived healthy and beautiful. I did have two of my bags that leaked and came close to running out of water but luckily they arrived fast enough that I was able to get them in the tank without injury.I am sending you pictures of my tank with the variety of fish you have Picked out for me I thank you for the beautiful fish you sent to my home. Thank you, Michael.
Thanks 4 the e-mail Michael! Fish are doing great!!! Thank 4 the sweet fish! I will be getting a few more fish in May.....the fish were packed great! But after they left you!.... they were not handled right.... they were beat up pretty badly! My order was to big and thats my bad :) If the carrier does not keep the box the right way the whole time the fish will get beat up and stress out and are in trouble! All fish survived and in the time since have only Lost 3 of them! Love your Web site i have to be on it everyday and see all the great selections You have! (I want all of them!!) Hahahaha thanks again 4 everything Michael!
They eat all that You can put in front of them! The golden pigeon leopards are getting better looking everyday and are always moving around the tank and active! My favorite guys are the german red turquoise (red base) ... they have a great shape to them and the fins are always up and out on display!! And the royal heckel cross! Cant wait to see what he will be look like in a few months! Beautiful fish!! Thanks y'all! I appreciate ya.
I am currently looking for fish with red. I think i saw some that were like almost a m...More
I am currently looking for fish with red. I think i saw some that were like almost a magenta color strips with white and any with solid red face included. And reddish brown m with the black vertical bars. I am not sure what these strain are called.
I have included a pic of the fish together.
The San Merah I looked at were solid red with a blue face.
Hi Michael
I got the email regarding reviews today. I will be responding on how well you handled a difficult situation with FedEx and that you were very responsive. I'm impressed. I've had fish for nearly 50 years. Started when I was in college. Never had salt water though. I enjoy planted tanks. This setup is just beginning to grow. I've had Discus before and as you've probably heard before, I have had a love/hate relationship with them. Excited to get some quality fish in my tank again. Now I will sit back and enjoy them.
I’ll give you a call later. My goodness the heckel is gorgeous.