Product Details

Red Stone Pigeon Discus – Symphysodon discus

The Red Stone Pigeon Discus is a premium captive-bred discus strain with warm red to orange-red colour, pigeon-style patterning and fine stone-like speckling. Listed here as Symphysodon discus, this ornamental discus should be treated as a specialist warm-water cichlid for mature aquariums with excellent filtration, stable soft-water conditions and peaceful tank mates. It is a calm, high-impact centrepiece fish, but it is best suited to experienced aquarists who can maintain consistently clean, warm water.

Key Identification:

Common Name: Red Stone Pigeon Discus
Other Names: Red Stone Discus, Stone Pigeon Discus, Red Pigeon Discus, Pigeon Blood Discus, Domestic Discus
Scientific Name: Symphysodon discus
Fish Type: Cichlid / Discus
Water Type: Freshwater

Natural Range & Habitat:

True Symphysodon discus is native to the Amazon basin in Brazil, including blackwater regions associated with the Rio Negro area and nearby river systems. Wild discus are found in very warm, slow-moving, soft and acidic waters, often around submerged roots, branches, shaded margins and flooded forest structure. FishBase gives true S. discus a natural pH range of 4.2–6.2, hardness of 0–1 dH and temperature range of 26–30°C.

The Red Stone Pigeon Discus is a captive-bred domestic strain, so it is not tied to a wild collection locality. Captive-bred discus are usually more adaptable than wild fish, but they still need warm, clean, stable water and should only be added to mature aquariums.

Appearance & Adult Size:

Red Stone Pigeon Discus have the classic tall, rounded discus body shape, with long dorsal and anal fins forming a near-circular profile. This strain usually shows red, orange-red, coral or peach body colour with pigeon-style patterning and fine stone-like speckling across the body and fins. Individual fish may vary in red coverage, peppering, facial markings, body pattern and fin colour.

Adults usually reach around 15–20 cm, with a deep body that needs both aquarium length and height. FishBase lists true S. discus at up to 20 cm total length.

Aquarium Suitability:

This fish is best suited to a specialist discus aquarium, peaceful warm-water South American display or carefully planned soft-water community. The aquarium should be mature, quiet and stable, with excellent filtration, gentle flow and open swimming room. Smooth wood, roots and warm-tolerant plants can be used, but the layout should still allow easy cleaning and regular maintenance.

Red Stone Pigeon Discus are not suitable for new aquariums, hard-water livebearer tanks, aggressive cichlid communities, cool-water setups or busy community aquariums with fast, pushy feeders.

Recommended Aquarium Size:

A practical minimum is 250–300 litres for a group of young discus, with a tank length of at least 120 cm recommended. Larger aquariums of 350 litres or more are preferred for adult groups and community setups. Discus are social fish and are usually best kept in a group of 5–6 or more, unless keeping a confirmed breeding pair in a dedicated aquarium. FishBase gives a minimum aquarium length of 120 cm for Blue Discus under S. aequifasciatus, reflecting the space needed for adult discus care.

Water Conditions:

Temperature: 28–30°C
pH: 5.5–7.0
Hardness: Soft preferred
Additional Notes: Warmth, cleanliness and stability are essential. Keep ammonia and nitrite at zero and nitrate low through regular water changes. Captive-bred pigeon discus can often adapt to slightly different pH values, but they should not be exposed to sudden changes in temperature, pH or hardness. Wild-type S. discus conditions are extremely soft and acidic, so be more conservative if the fish is wild-caught or close to wild form.

Temperament & Tank Mates:

Aquarium Category: Community Fish

Red Stone Pigeon Discus are peaceful cichlids, but they are slow, deliberate feeders and can be stressed by boisterous tank mates. Suitable companions include warm-water Cardinal Tetras, Rummy Nose Tetras, peaceful pencilfish, Sterbai Corydoras, small peaceful plecs, calm dwarf cichlids and other gentle species that tolerate discus temperatures.

Avoid fin-nipping barbs, aggressive cichlids, large predators, cool-water fish, hard-water livebearers, very fast feeders and any species that cannot tolerate 28–30°C long term. Discus should normally be kept in groups, as pairs or very small numbers can lead to bullying and poor confidence unless they are a bonded breeding pair.

Feeding:

Red Stone Pigeon Discus are carnivorous-leaning omnivores that need a varied, high-quality diet. Offer specialist discus granules, soft sinking pellets and quality frozen foods such as brineshrimp, mysis, bloodworm, white mosquito larvae, chopped mussel and prepared discus mixes. A small amount of spirulina or vegetable-based food can be included for balance.

Young discus benefit from smaller, more frequent feeds. Adults can be fed more moderately, but food quality should remain high. Remove uneaten food promptly to protect water quality. FishBase records true S. discus feeding on worms, crustaceans, insects and plant matter.

Behaviour in the Aquarium:

Discus are calm midwater cichlids that glide through the aquarium rather than constantly darting around. In a group, they form a social hierarchy, which is normal, but bullying can become a problem if the group is too small or the aquarium lacks space. Pairs may become territorial when breeding and choose a vertical surface, wood or broad leaf for spawning.

Discus show advanced parental care, with fry feeding from mucus produced on the parents’ flanks during early development. FishBase notes that S. discus lays several hundred eggs on stones or plants and that both parents defend the eggs and larvae.

Care Notes:

Add Red Stone Pigeon Discus only to a mature, stable aquarium. Maintain high temperature, soft clean water, regular water changes and peaceful tank mates. Quarantine new discus where possible, especially before mixing with established fish. Avoid sudden chills, poor diet, high nitrate and aggressive tank mates. Pigeon-type discus may show peppering or dark speckling depending on genetics, background colour and stress, which is normal for many pigeon-based strains.

Recommended For:

Experienced

Availability:

Occasional / Captive-bred domestic strain / Premium discus variety

Image Disclaimer:

All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Natural variation in size, red colour, pigeon pattern, stone speckling, peppering, body shape and markings can occur between individual fish.