Tank mates for discus

We checked discus against all 149 other species in our database for water temperature, pH, size, fin nipping, predation and aggression.

Good tank mates for discus include german blue ram and zebra pleco. Avoid bristlenose pleco, bronze corydoras and cherry shrimp: they need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), bristlenose pleco 22–26°C (72–79°F).

Discus: 28–30°C (82–86°F), pH 6–7, adult size 15 cm (5.9 in), minimum tank 75 gallons (284 L). Full discus care guide.

Check a full stocking plan

Good Compatible tank mates (3)

Shared water conditions and no known conflict. Still add fish slowly and watch them.

Caution Possible, with care (39)

These can work in the right setup, but there is a real risk. Read the reason first.

  • Angelfish · 29+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 28–29°C).
  • Betta fish · 5+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 28–28°C).
  • Common pleco · 150+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 28–28°C).
  • Dwarf gourami · 15+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 28–28°C).
  • Bala shark · 230+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 28–28°C).
  • Boesemani rainbowfish · 29+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 28–29°C).
  • Cardinal tetra · 15+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 28–28°C).
  • Ember tetra · 10+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 28–28°C).
    • Discus grows much larger than ember tetras and may swallow them as it grows.
  • Firemouth cichlid · 29+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 28–28°C).
  • Glowlight tetra · 15+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 28–28°C).
  • Pearl gourami · 29+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 28–28°C).
  • Rummy-nose tetra · 29+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 28–28°C).
  • Senegal bichir · 90+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 28–28°C).
  • Silver dollar · 75+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 28–28°C).
  • Sterbai corydoras · 20+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 28–28°C).
  • Three spot gourami · 29+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 28–28°C).
  • X-ray tetra · 15+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 28–28°C).
  • African butterfly fish · 29+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 28–28°C).
  • Agassiz's dwarf cichlid · 20+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 28–29°C).
  • Bamboo shrimp · 20+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 28–28°C).
    • Discus hunts shrimp. Larger bamboo shrimp sometimes survive, but expect losses.
  • Black ghost knifefish · 125+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 28–28°C).
  • Black phantom tetra · 20+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 28–28°C).
  • Clown pleco · 20+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 28–28°C).
  • Cockatoo cichlid · 20+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 28–28°C).
  • Diamond tetra · 20+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 28–28°C).
  • Dwarf chain loach · 29+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 28–28°C).
  • Endler's livebearer · 10+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 28–28°C).
    • Discus grows much larger than Endler's livebearers and may swallow them as it grows.
  • Kissing gourami · 75+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 28–28°C).
  • Marbled hatchetfish · 20+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 28–28°C).
    • Discus grows much larger than marbled hatchetfish and may swallow them as it grows.
  • Penguin tetra · 20+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 28–28°C).
  • Rabbit snail · 29+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 28–29°C).
    • Their preferred pH ranges don't quite overlap (6–7 vs 7.5–8.5).
  • Red rainbowfish · 40+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 28–28°C).
  • Ropefish · 75+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 28–28°C).
  • Rosy tetra · 20+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 28–28°C).
  • Severum · 55+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 28–28°C).
    • Severum defends its patch of the tank and may chase discus, which use the same area.
  • Sparkling gourami · 10+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 28–28°C).
  • Threadfin rainbowfish · 20+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 28–28°C).
  • Vampire shrimp · 20+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 28–28°C).
    • Discus hunts shrimp. Larger vampire shrimp sometimes survive, but expect losses.
  • Moonlight gourami · 29+ gal
    • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 28–29°C).

Avoid Bad tank mates (107)

  • Bristlenose pleco: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), bristlenose pleco 22–26°C (72–79°F).
  • Bronze corydoras: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), bronze corydoras 21–26°C (70–79°F).
  • Cherry shrimp: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), cherry shrimp 20–27°C (68–81°F). Discus eats small shrimp like cherry shrimp.
  • Common goldfish: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), common goldfish 15–22°C (59–72°F).
  • Fancy goldfish: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), fancy goldfish 18–23°C (64–73°F).
  • Guppy: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), guppy 22–27°C (72–81°F).
  • Neon tetra: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), neon tetra 21–25°C (70–77°F).
  • Nerite snail: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), nerite snail 22–27°C (72–81°F).
  • Oscar: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), oscar 23–27°C (73–81°F).
  • Panda corydoras: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), panda corydoras 21–25°C (70–77°F).
  • Tiger barb: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), tiger barb 22–27°C (72–81°F).
  • Zebra danio: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), zebra danio 18–25°C (64–77°F).
  • African dwarf frog: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), african dwarf frog 22–26°C (72–79°F).
  • Amano shrimp: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), amano shrimp 20–27°C (68–81°F).
  • Assassin snail: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), assassin snail 22–27°C (72–81°F).
  • Black skirt tetra: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), black skirt tetra 22–26°C (72–79°F).
  • Blood parrot cichlid: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), blood parrot cichlid 24–27°C (75–81°F).
  • Celestial pearl danio: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), celestial pearl danio 20–25°C (68–77°F).
  • Cherry barb: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), cherry barb 23–27°C (73–81°F).
  • Chili rasbora: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), chili rasbora 22–27°C (72–81°F).
  • Chinese algae eater: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), chinese algae eater 22–26°C (72–79°F). Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful discus.
  • Convict cichlid: Convict cichlid is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful discus.
  • Denison barb: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), denison barb 20–25°C (68–77°F).
  • Dojo loach: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), dojo loach 18–23°C (64–73°F).
  • Dwarf neon rainbowfish: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), dwarf neon rainbowfish 23–27°C (73–81°F).
  • Electric blue acara: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), electric blue acara 23–27°C (73–81°F).
  • Electric yellow cichlid: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), electric yellow cichlid 24–27°C (75–81°F). Electric yellow cichlid is a Lake Malawi cichlid. It needs a Lake Malawi tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 7.5–8.5), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. Discus don't belong in that setup.
  • Ghost shrimp: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), ghost shrimp 20–27°C (68–81°F).
  • Harlequin rasbora: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), harlequin rasbora 22–27°C (72–81°F).
  • Hillstream loach: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), hillstream loach 20–24°C (68–75°F).
  • Honey gourami: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), honey gourami 23–27°C (73–81°F).
  • Jack Dempsey: Jack Dempsey is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful discus.
  • Julii corydoras: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), julii corydoras 22–26°C (72–79°F).
  • Kribensis: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), kribensis 24–27°C (75–81°F).
  • Kuhli loach: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), kuhli loach 24–27°C (75–81°F).
  • Malaysian trumpet snail: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), malaysian trumpet snail 20–27°C (68–81°F).
  • Molly: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), molly 24–27°C (75–81°F).
  • Mystery snail: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), mystery snail 21–26°C (70–79°F).
  • Otocinclus: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), otocinclus 21–26°C (70–79°F).
  • Pea puffer: Pea puffer is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful discus. Pea puffer is best kept in a species-only tank.
  • Peacock cichlid: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), peacock cichlid 24–27°C (75–81°F). Peacock cichlid is a Lake Malawi cichlid. It needs a Lake Malawi tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 7.5–8.5), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. Discus don't belong in that setup.
  • Peppered corydoras: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), peppered corydoras 20–25°C (68–77°F).
  • Pictus catfish: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), pictus catfish 22–25°C (72–77°F).
  • Platy: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), platy 20–26°C (68–79°F).
  • Pygmy corydoras: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), pygmy corydoras 22–26°C (72–79°F).
  • Rainbow shark: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), rainbow shark 22–26°C (72–79°F).
  • Ramshorn snail: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), ramshorn snail 21–27°C (70–81°F).
  • Red zebra cichlid: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), red zebra cichlid 24–27°C (75–81°F). Red zebra cichlid is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful discus. Red zebra cichlid is a Lake Malawi cichlid. It needs a Lake Malawi tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 7.5–8.5), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. Discus don't belong in that setup.
  • Red-tail shark: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), red-tail shark 22–26°C (72–79°F).
  • Rosy barb: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), rosy barb 18–24°C (64–75°F).
  • Siamese algae eater: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), siamese algae eater 22–26°C (72–79°F).
  • White cloud mountain minnow: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), white cloud mountain minnow 16–22°C (61–72°F).
  • Yoyo loach: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), yoyo loach 24–27°C (75–81°F).
  • Black neon tetra: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), black neon tetra 23–27°C (73–81°F).
  • Bleeding heart tetra: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), bleeding heart tetra 23–27°C (73–81°F).
  • Bloodfin tetra: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), bloodfin tetra 20–26°C (68–79°F).
  • Bolivian ram: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), bolivian ram 24–27°C (75–81°F).
  • Buenos Aires tetra: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), buenos Aires tetra 18–25°C (64–77°F).
  • Bumblebee catfish: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), bumblebee catfish 22–26°C (72–79°F).
  • Clown killifish: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), clown killifish 22–26°C (72–79°F).
  • Congo tetra: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), congo tetra 23–27°C (73–81°F).
  • Crystal red shrimp: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), crystal red shrimp 20–24°C (68–75°F). Discus eats small shrimp like crystal red shrimp.
  • Demasoni cichlid: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), demasoni cichlid 24–27°C (75–81°F). Demasoni cichlid is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful discus. Demasoni cichlid is a Lake Malawi cichlid. It needs a Lake Malawi tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 7.5–8.5), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. Discus don't belong in that setup.
  • Dwarf orange crayfish: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), dwarf orange crayfish 18–24°C (64–75°F).
  • Emerald green corydoras: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), emerald green corydoras 22–27°C (72–81°F).
  • Emperor tetra: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), emperor tetra 23–27°C (73–81°F).
  • Forktail blue-eye: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), forktail blue-eye 24–27°C (75–81°F).
  • Frontosa: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), frontosa 24–27°C (75–81°F). They need very different water: pH 6–7 vs 8–9. Frontosa is a Lake Tanganyika cichlid. It needs a Lake Tanganyika tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 8–9), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. Discus don't belong in that setup.
  • Gardneri killifish: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), gardneri killifish 21–25°C (70–77°F).
  • Giant danio: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), giant danio 21–25°C (70–77°F).
  • Glass catfish: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), glass catfish 23–26°C (73–79°F).
  • Gold barb: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), gold barb 18–24°C (64–75°F).
  • Golden wonder killifish: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), golden wonder killifish 22–26°C (72–79°F).
  • Green terror: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), green terror 20–24°C (68–75°F). Green terror is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful discus.
  • Head and tail light tetra: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), head and tail light tetra 23–27°C (73–81°F).
  • Jewel cichlid: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), jewel cichlid 24–27°C (75–81°F). Jewel cichlid is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful discus.
  • Kubotai rasbora: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), kubotai rasbora 22–26°C (72–79°F).
  • Lambchop rasbora: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), lambchop rasbora 23–27°C (73–81°F).
  • Lemon tetra: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), lemon tetra 23–27°C (73–81°F).
  • Odessa barb: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), odessa barb 20–25°C (68–77°F).
  • Panda garra: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), panda garra 22–25°C (72–77°F).
  • Paradise fish: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), paradise fish 16–24°C (61–75°F).
  • Peacock gudgeon: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), peacock gudgeon 22–26°C (72–79°F).
  • Rosy loach: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), rosy loach 22–26°C (72–79°F).
  • Rubber lip pleco: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), rubber lip pleco 21–25°C (70–77°F).
  • Scarlet badis: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), scarlet badis 22–26°C (72–79°F).
  • Scissortail rasbora: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), scissortail rasbora 22–25°C (72–77°F).
  • Serpae tetra: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), serpae tetra 22–26°C (72–79°F).
  • Shell dweller cichlid: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), shell dweller cichlid 24–27°C (75–81°F). Shell dweller cichlid is a Lake Tanganyika cichlid. It needs a Lake Tanganyika tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 7.5–9), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. Discus don't belong in that setup.
  • Swordtail: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), swordtail 22–26°C (72–79°F).
  • Thai micro crab: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), thai micro crab 22–27°C (72–81°F).
  • Tinfoil barb: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), tinfoil barb 22–26°C (72–79°F).
  • Turquoise rainbowfish: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), turquoise rainbowfish 22–25°C (72–77°F).
  • Upside-down catfish: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), upside-down catfish 24–27°C (75–81°F).
  • Zebra loach: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), zebra loach 23–26°C (73–79°F).
  • Black ruby barb: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), black ruby barb 22–26°C (72–79°F).
  • Checkerboard barb: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), checkerboard barb 20–25°C (68–77°F).
  • Dwarf rasbora: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), dwarf rasbora 24–27°C (75–81°F).
  • Flame tetra: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), flame tetra 22–26°C (72–79°F).
  • Glowlight danio: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), glowlight danio 20–24°C (68–75°F).
  • Green neon tetra: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), green neon tetra 24–27°C (75–81°F).
  • Keyhole cichlid: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), keyhole cichlid 22–26°C (72–79°F).
  • Least killifish: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), least killifish 20–26°C (68–79°F).
  • Pearl danio: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), pearl danio 20–25°C (68–77°F).
  • Silvertip tetra: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), silvertip tetra 23–27°C (73–81°F).
  • Thick-lipped gourami: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), thick-lipped gourami 23–27°C (73–81°F).
  • Variatus platy: They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), variatus platy 18–25°C (64–77°F).

Frequently asked questions

What fish can live with discus?

Good tank mates for discus include german blue ram and zebra pleco. They need similar water and won't fight with or eat discus.

Can discus live with angelfish?

Sometimes, with care. Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 28–29°C).

Can discus live with bettas?

Sometimes, with care. Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 28–28°C).

Can discus live with bristlenose plecos?

No. They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), bristlenose pleco 22–26°C (72–79°F).

Can discus live with bronze corydoras?

No. They need different temperatures: Discus 28–30°C (82–86°F), bronze corydoras 21–26°C (70–79°F).

Popular questions

How we decide: we compare each pair's comfortable temperature, pH and hardness ranges, adult sizes, mouth size (who can eat whom), fin nipping, aggression and territory. Read the full method. Data last reviewed 2026-10-13.