Wild Tefé Royal Blue Discus

The Wild Tefé Royal Blue Discus is one of the most celebrated of all wild discus varieties. Tefé, a town on the middle Amazon in Amazonas state, has long been synonymous with exceptional wild discus — particularly this royal-blue form, which displays a density and saturation of blue body colouration that regularly exceeds anything achievable in captive-bred fish.

Tefé Royal Blues are characterised by their broad, rounded body, intensely blue horizontal banding that may extend across most of the flanks, and vivid red eye rings that glow against the blue body. Each fish is unique; no two specimens from the same collecting location are identical.

These fish are among the most expensive wild discus in the trade and are best appreciated by experienced keepers who can provide the precise, demanding conditions required to maintain them in peak health and full colour.

Water: 28-31°C, pH 5.0-6.5, very soft (0-5 dGH), KH 0-2; blackwater conditions essential for colour. Tank: Minimum 300 L, dark substrate, Indian almond leaves, dense driftwood, very dim warm lighting. Feeding: Live bloodworm, beefheart, artemia, frozen chironomid; dry food acceptance achieved gradually. Breeding: Challenging; requires very soft acidic blackwater; spawning on driftwood or vertical slate. Compatibility: Wild discus experts only; small peaceful blackwater tetras acceptable companions.