Classic San Merah Discus
$113.00 – $167.00
Emerging from the depths of the Amazon river comes the Classic San Merah Discus. This fiery Amazonian queen is sure to demand the attention of onlookers with its exotic patterns and vibrant bright hues of orange and red.
If you dare to host this sought after fresh water beauty, you will not be disappointed. The Classic San Merah is often marked with war-paint like vertical stripes across its round body and a more defined stripe down the face where the brilliant red-orange bleeds into a fluorescent pinkish-purple. It’s big delicate eyes and human-like puckered lips are something to be admired along with its patterned fins, accented with the same fluorescent colors and topped off with red-orange flames.
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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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My favorite in the lot is the turquoise.
This was supposed 5-5.5 inches. From Michael: Tony, please keep in mind these fish are all handpicked and bagged. Please leave a reasonable degree for error. Rest assured I did not try to cheat you. We are basically talking about a .5-1" difference, and I will credit you.
Hey Mike, hope all is well! Just wanted to share some pics of the new tank...the San Merah is my favorite!
Best regards,
Matt
Loving my discus. Did you get my review? I ask because I left my phone uploading photos but I’m not sure if it submitted or not.
I am at...More
Hi Michael,
Loving my discus. Did you get my review? I ask because I left my phone uploading photos but I’m not sure if it submitted or not.
I am attaching photos from this evening. I am having a hard time with ID on some and was hoping you could check my guesses to see if I’ve got it right.
They look good so far. I have them in the dark but they seem to be swimming around. None laying on side or anything like that.
Hey Mike, I'm looking to add a 5.0-5.5 Albino Snakeskin and a 5.0-5.5 High Bodied Crimson Star Alenquer. Probably a few weeks for you to obtain? Please advise. Thanks!
Here's some recent pics...
The San Merah is my favorite!
One of the Blue's is laying eggs like crazy, every 5-7 days for her 7th time now. Still eating them...
Thank you!
Matt
All of them swim happily. Thank you, you have awesome quality of fish.
Hi Mike, the fish look great! Not really stressed at all and getting along so far. All are eating as well. Thank you! From Michael: You have a killer setup that really brings out the colors of these massive adults I shipped you. Enjoy your latest batch, my friend.
Hi Michael, here are pictures of my new fish. The discus fish are starting to eat a little bit now, except for the Wild Brazilian discus. He seems to be lethargic and uninterested in eating. My other discus fish do not seem to like the frozen beef heart I bought from you. I am surprised because they love the frozen San Francisco Bay Brand I have been feeding them. Any suggestions? I am keeping the Cardinals in a separate tank until they grow bigger. Thanks, Tom H.
The San Merah I looked at were solid red with a blue face. From Michael:You’re comparing a small juvenile fish with the adult fish pictured on my website. It hasn’t grown into its full colors yet.
The San Merah is lying on the bottom not moving much and the blue is dark with crimped fins. The San Merah came out of the bag looking just like the pictures.
The fish you picked for me are beautiful. You did me solid. I'll get pics and reviews out. Here's a quick shot before the lights went out. I'll get you a couple more with them spread out. It's funny watching them they're playing in the current. I got some MP40s turned way down and they like it.
Here are some pics of my Discus in my 350 that I took after we spoke. I have a very diverse group of Discus, but, they seam to be healthy and happy together and reward me on a regular basis with entertainment, beauty and fry if I choose to separate the breeding pair to allow it. So, this is the family, most of which are not at all camera shy. Only a couple are hiding out today. You will recognize your two newcomers showing off for the camera, as well. This is my addiction, more so than a hobby, or even a way of life. I spend countless hours just watching. I sleep very little due to my illness, but these guys help me, not only pass my time, but enjoy it, no matter what the time of day. I even enjoy the maintenance and projects involving tank and fish. Right now, I am plumbing my 290 gallon RO holding tank through the attic and down to the tank to make water changes easier. I have a bathroom on the other side of the wall adjacent to the back of the tank, so I am connecting a drain line from the tank to a large drain line of the house. Its working out perfect and should save me a lot of time and more importantly a lot of energy. I was I contractor before I stopped working, so I am able to put some of my skills from building and remodeling homes to work at my own house. I just take it slow and easy and listen to my body. When it says to stop, I stop and rest. I should have this project wrapped up in the next day or two. This is what happens when I start talking about my Discus: I ramble and don't stop. Sorry about that.
Thank you, the fish arrived pretty healthy.