The 5th International Discus Competition Best of Discus 2026 is the event of the year. The king of the aquarium gives a resounding presence at the ARIUM aquarium festival.
From May 15 to 17, 2026, you will have the opportunity to see some of the top aesthetically and morphologically discus in the world. For three days, the “Manos Loizos” Cultural Center in Nikaia becomes the meeting point for discus enthusiasts worldwide.
Discus originating from our country as well as from most European countries will compete in the International Best of Discus 2026 Competition and will be judged by a multi-member and highly experienced international judging panel.
Do not miss the opportunity to admire them up close, as well as to speak with the specialized judges of the competition, who will be at your disposal to answer all your questions regarding the keeping of these wonderful fish in your aquariums.
The evaluation in the 5th International Competition is not limited to a simple visual impression. The judges focus on the phenotype of each organism, analyzing the symmetry and proportions.
The morphology of the fins, the clarity of the eye iris, and the alignment of the spine constitute critical criteria reflecting the quality of breeding (husbandry) and genetic purity.
The competition is divided into specialized categories covering the entire spectrum of the Discus family. From wild discus (Wild Discus) to modern color varieties (Domestic Strains), each category is governed by specific standards.
Analysis of the panel and the scoring criteria
Wild, Solid, Patterned and special classes
Regulations, ethics and conditions of ownership
Registration form for breeders and hobbyists
The ARIUM Festival ensures that each competing discus is hosted in an appropriate environment, which meets the strictest technical living specifications and simulates the ideal parameters for its welfare, ensuring stability in the physicochemical values throughout the duration of the event. Water quality, temperature, and oxygen supply are monitored on a 24-hour basis by the specialized technical team, ensuring health, the reduction of stress in the organisms, and the full display of color patterns and the phenotype of each fish.
Furthermore, the filtration systems and regular water renewals have been designed to adhere to the highest biosecurity standards, allowing judges to evaluate the specimens in conditions of absolute clarity. Each hosting aquarium constitutes an autonomous life-support unit, where the flow and lighting are precisely adjusted to highlight the specific characteristics of the Discus, from the intensity of colors to the symmetry of their fins, while offering a safe haven for the top representatives of the species worldwide.
The 5th International Best of Discus 2026 Competition transcends the boundaries of a typical exhibition, constituting a dynamic, living organism for the exchange of specialized knowledge and expertise. Within this context, a unique communication platform is created where the scientific approach meets the passion for species conservation.
We extend an open invitation to every breeder, collector, and dedicated hobbyist to become an active member of this global institution, which highlights excellence and ethics in breeding. Possessing and exhibiting Discus fish with exceptional morphological characteristics constitutes a supreme challenge, which finds its ultimate recognition and reward on the premier stage of the ARIUM Festival. We await you to write together the next chapter in the history of the “King of the Aquarium”.
For any clarification or additional details regarding the event, you can contact the ARIUM organizing committee directly.