Disc Bass - Enneacanthus chaetodon

The disc bass (Enneacanthus chaetodon) from the sunfish family of North America, which grows up to 10 cm, is a good pond fish. In nature it inhabits rivers with slow currents and lakes. The silvery high-backed, laterally strongly flattened fish with the dark cross stripes is sometimes also called worker scalar. It tolerates medium to hard water, a pH of 6.5 to 7.5 is optimal.

The Disc Bass can be kept as a cold water fish but also in an appropriately cool aquarium of 80-100 cm length at a water temperature up to a maximum of 26 degrees. Ideal are 22 degrees. Sudden fluctuations in water values are not well tolerated by the Disc Bass, this should be taken into account when changing the water.

In winter, Disc Bass need temperatures around 10 degrees C for about 6-8 weeks. This increases their life span and strengthens the health of the beautiful ornamental fish. In the pond they can overwinter without problems, if it is deep enough and thus not completely freeze through. A pond depth of 1-1.30 m is sufficient for this purpose. It makes sense to keep the water surface from freezing over, either with an ice free holder or a pond thermostat. In this way, gas exchange is ensured and the hibernating fish receive sufficient oxygen.

A sandy bottom is advantageous at the bottom of the pond and also in the aquarium, because the discfish like to burrow for food. As pure carnivores, Enneacanthus chaetodon feed on fish spawn, the troublesome mosquito larvae, worms, small crustaceans and aquatic insects. This allows them to keep the population of highly reproductive co-fish such as goldfish well in check and also ensures a reduction in mosquitoes around the pond. A good supplementary feed is a pond fish food for carnivorous fish, in case the food supply in the pond does run low.

Discfish need the company of conspecifics, but form territories. Good pond planting is possible because the small perch do not nibble on the plants. Disc bass need very clean pond water. Aquatic plants increase the oxygen content of the water and clean it of pollutants, which suits the disc bass. In the summer, an oxydator for the garden pond, a water feature or an air pump will increase the oxygen content in the pond water. A pond filter is also a wise purchase for a garden pond with Disc Bass.

If disc bass have a cold spell in the winter, they begin to court the following spring. The males dig spawning pits in the substrate, where the female lays several thousand eggs during the spawning season. The male guards the nest and tends the clutch until the fry hatch.

Minimum order quantity: 2 animals