Symphysodon discus explained

Symphysodon discus, the red discus or Heckel discus, is a species of cichlid endemic to the Amazon Basin of Brazil, where found in the lower Rio Negro, upper Uatumã, Nhamundá, Trombetas and Abacaxis.^[1]

This species is essentially restricted to blackwater habitats with a high temperature of 26- and low pH of 4.2–5.2.^[2]

This species grows to a length of 20cm (10inches) SL.

This species can also be found in the aquarium trade.

Parental care

Small fry of this fish feed on the mucus secreted by their parents.^[3]

Notes and References

1. Amado. M.V.. Farias. I.P.. Hrbek. T.. A Molecular Perspective on Systematics, Taxonomy and Classification Amazonian Discus Fishes of the Genus Symphysodon. International Journal of Evolutionary Biology. 2011. 2011 . 360654 . 10.4061/2011/360654. 21811676. 3147135 . free .
2. Bleher. H.. Stölting. K.N.. Salzburger. W.. Meyer. A.. Revision of the genus Symphysodon Heckel, 1840 (Teleostei: Perciformes: Cichlidae) based on molecular and morphological characters. 2007. Aqua. 12. 133–174.
3. Hildemann. W. H.. A cichlid fish Symphysodon discus, with unique nurture habits.. Am. Zool.. 1959. 93. 27–34.