This study assessed the effects of three kinds of carotenoids on the body colour of solid red discus fish (Symphysodon aequifasciatus axelrodi Schultz, 1960). Astaxanthin, xanthophylls and canthaxanthin were added into the beef heart diet at the level of 350 mg kg−1 respectively. In the astaxanthin group (group A), the carotenoid concentration (CC) in the skin and dorsal fin reached saturation levels on days 40 and 20 respectively. However, CC consistently increased in the muscle. In the xanthophyll group (group B), CC in the skin increased through day 20; CC in the dorsal fin increased from days 10 to 20. In the canthaxanthin group (group C), CC in the skin increased during the first 20 days, reaching saturation levels on day 10 in the dorsal fin and muscle. On day 50, CC in the skin and muscle of group A was significantly higher than that of groups B or C. There were no significant differences in dorsal fin CC among the groups; however, CC in group C reached saturation levels in the shortest time. Therefore, astaxanthin was the most effective pigment for the skin and muscle; xanthophyll was the most effective pigment for the dorsal fin.