Red Melon Discus
Symphysodon aequifasciatus
About this strain
A warm, glowing red-orange to melon-orange fish with largely solid coloration and a clean, unfussy appearance. The color is softer and more orange-leaning than Marlboro Red, with less patterning — think of the flesh of a ripe cantaloupe rendered in fish form. Better specimens are consistent in color from center to margins with no significant paling at the edges. Like most red-toned discus, diet matters enormously for maintaining color intensity. Red Melons are widely available and relatively affordable, making them a popular starting point for hobbyists wanting a warm-colored discus.
Origin
Developed in Southeast Asia during the 1990s from selective breeding programs focused on warm base colors. The name and strain were popularized largely through the Malaysian and Thai export trade.