Another minor aspect that should also be kept in mind prior to owning a discus fish is the tank mates that your discus fish will have. Generally, it is recommended that the discus fish should be the largest fish in the tank. It has always been said that prevention is better than cure, so knowing what signs to look out for to determine whether there is something wrong with the tank or with your discus fish. Unlike other types of freshwater fish that you will often see in retail chains, Discus Fish will require you to pay close attention to them in order to keep them healthy. But, you shouldn t let this fact intimidate you and scare you from owning this kind of fish. With the right knowledge, you will be able to maintain this beautiful fish for many years to come. Basic Care Tips for Discus Fish Before you go out and buy a discus fish in your nearest pet store, you need to remember that discus fish are very sensitive when it comes to water condition and food quality. Discus fish are quite expensive and you wouldn t want to buy one if you don t know how to take care of it. Just give them the recommended amount of food. Adult discus fish should only be fed twice a day. Don t be in a rush. Be patient. Breeding fishes doesn t happen overnight, just keep on trying. And lastly, don t forget the obvious; you will need a female and a male discus fish. Try to learn how to spot the gender of your discus fish, this way, if you want to start if with just a pair, you will be able to see if they are indeed of the opposite sex. And, the best thing about these fish species is that they go along with discus fish and can really enhance the look of your discus fish aquarium. You have to remember that discus fish are schooling fish that likes to be kept in small groups of five to eight. They need security of a school around them and getting them in groups will help in reducing their stress levels and also help in keeping them happy. Always keep in mind that water chemistry is always important when you consider taking care of these types of fishes. They are very sensitive to water chemistry and you have to be able to make sure that you provide them with the proper water chemistry in order for them to live comfortably in your aquarium.