Red Turquoise Discus

The Red Turquoise Discus is one of the most visually complex and sought-after strains in the Discus hobby — a fish that marries deep, warm red-orange base coloration with bold turquoise-blue striations that wind across the body and extend into the dorsal and anal fins. The interplay between these two contrasting color families creates a stained-glass effect that intensifies under proper lighting and against a dark substrate background.

This strain has been selectively refined over decades by Asian and European breeders who have pushed the contrast ratio between red and turquoise to remarkable extremes. The best specimens — including those we select for The Fish Collection — show crisp, well-defined turquoise lines against a uniformly deep red base with no muddy intermediate tones. This clarity of pattern is the hallmark of superior genetics and is what separates a premium Red Turquoise from a merely acceptable one.

As with all Discus, the Red Turquoise is a warm-water, soft-water species that demands disciplined husbandry. Temperature must be maintained between 82 and 88 degrees Fahrenheit — considerably warmer than a standard tropical community tank. pH should sit between 6.0 and 7.0, with soft to moderately soft water. A minimum 75-gallon aquarium is required for a group, and groups are essential; solitary Discus are stressed Discus.

Feed a rotation of Discus-specific pellets, frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, and beef heart mixtures. The carotenoid content in quality foods directly supports the expression of red pigmentation, so dietary variety is both a health and aesthetic priority. Water changes of 30 to 50 percent weekly are mandatory.

The Fish Collection ships all Discus in insulated, heat-packed containers with our live arrival guarantee. We recommend ordering groups for the best social dynamics and visual impact.