Compatibility brief
Can Discus live with Angelfish?
Caution. Check the issues below before buying.
Discus + Angelfish: Caution advised. Both South American cichlids, but angelfish are too aggressive and too active for most discus. Discus need warm calm water (28 C+); angels become bullies in the same volume. Specialist setups can mix them, beginner tanks should not. Outcomes still depend on your tank shape, maintenance routine, and individual fish.
Compatibility score
Profile confidence: medium
Order of checkstank volume vs adults → predation mouth gap → temperament / fin nipping → shared water windows.
200L
Combined minimum footprint reference for these two species: about 200L (larger active fish often want more length).
Temperament gap (peaceful vs semi-aggressive) — can work with space, structure, and careful observation, but not a “drop and forget” mix.
Assessment details
“Both South American cichlids, but angelfish are too…”
Caution advised
Next steps
Concrete changes, not "research more" filler.
- •Provide plenty of hiding spots and visual breaks so Discus can escape if harassed.
- •Discus should be kept in a group of at least 4 for best health and behaviour.
Try instead
- →Provide plenty of hiding spots and visual breaks so Discus can escape if harassed.
- →Discus should be kept in a group of at least 4 for best health and behaviour.
- Seriously Fish. Symphysodon aequifasciatus (discus complex representative)
Primary stand-in: Seriously Fish page for a common discus taxon. Trade 'discus' is often a mix of lineages, strains, and hybrids. Match your bag label, not a single name field here.
- FishBase. Symphysodon aequifasciatus
Taxonomy, distribution, and typical max length in natural/wild contexts (cross-check to aquarium import lines).
- Wikipedia. Discus (fish)
Encyclopaedia overview; use specialist aquarium sources for your stock's real temperature/pH/footprint needs.
- Seriously Fish. Pterophyllum scalare
Primary: aquarium size, water chemistry, behaviour, and compatibility (URL verified in upgrade script; recheck if site content changes).
- FishBase. Pterophyllum scalare
Secondary: taxonomy, distribution, and maximum length in nature; cross-check with aquarium import lines and measured tank parameters.
- Wikipedia. Pterophyllum scalare
Secondary: general species context; verify all husbandry numbers against a dedicated aquarium care sheet and your test kit, not a single table row.
Try this next
Build the full stocking list with Discus + Angelfish
Plan further
Try both species in the full-stock tank check, or open either fish profile for mates lists. Methodology explains how verdicts are produced.
Individual fish vary in personality. Fishori uses conservative hobby rules. Observe any new introduction closely, feed thoughtfully, and keep a quarantine or backup plan. This is not veterinary advice.
Profile data confidence: high. Based on multiple reputable aquarium care sources with strong agreement.