Animals Unique | Discus Unique | Discus Classification and Evolution
The Discus is a species of tropical cichlid, found in the Amazon basin of South America. There are three sub-species of recognised the Discus the which are the Green Discus, the Blue and the Brown Discus Discus. The Discus was first described by Dr.
Despite Heckel in 1840 and variations in color, all are similar in appearance but are found in different geographic locations. There is however some disagreement over the scientific names for each species, but many agree Captive Bred Discus That most are thought to have originated from these three sub-species.
Discus Anatomy and Appearance
The Discus is a medium sized Fish, with a round, flattened body and large fins extended the which also add to it's disk-like shape (from the which it get it's name). Discus have small mouths and small bright red eyes, and Vary in color depending on the species (either green, blue or brown in the wild, but there are many new variations found in aquariums around the world today Such as red). The round body of the Discus also has nine dark, vertical stripes the which are thought to be used both for camouflage (along with it's color and flattened body) and to Communicate within the school.
Discus Distribution and Habitat
The Discus is one of only a few cichlid species found outside of Africa. They are found inhabiting sections of deep, calm, well-wooded waters in the Amazon Basin and it's tributaries. These slow-moving rivers and backwaters of the Amazon river system That stretch through Brazil, Columbia and Peru, Provide the perfect habitat for these large Fish, Generally the which shelter amongst the submerged roots and branches. Discus are known to be fussy about the water conditions in artificial habitats and are not for the inexperienced keeper. In their natural environment, Discus Inhabit soft, acidic, and very warm waters, where there is less competition from other Fish.
Discus Anatomy and Appearance
The Discus is a medium sized Fish, with a round, flattened body and large fins extended the which also add to it's disk-like shape (from the which it get it's name). Discus have small mouths and small bright red eyes, and Vary in color depending on the species (either green, blue or brown in the wild, but there are many new variations found in aquariums around the world today Such as red). The round body of the Discus also has nine dark, vertical stripes the which are thought to be used both for camouflage (along with it's color and flattened body) and to Communicate within the school.
Discus Distribution and Habitat
The Discus is one of only a few cichlid species found outside of Africa. They are found inhabiting sections of deep, calm, well-wooded waters in the Amazon Basin and it's tributaries. These slow-moving rivers and backwaters of the Amazon river system That stretch through Brazil, Columbia and Peru, Provide the perfect habitat for these large Fish, Generally the which shelter amongst the submerged roots and branches. Discus are known to be fussy about the water conditions in artificial habitats and are not for the inexperienced keeper. In their natural environment, Discus Inhabit soft, acidic, and very warm waters, where there is less competition from other Fish.
Discus Behaviour and Lifestyle
Unlike many other cichlid species, the Discus Fish is a very Sociable and is Often found in large groups (known as schools), in their native habitats. Living in these large groups the Discus That means very advanced displays behavior for a Cichlid, as other species are not schooled Fish. Discus are Generally mild mannered but are known to Become Their aggressive within pair bonds, or when defending Their young or territory. One common observation from Those kept in tanks, is that the Fish at the bottom of the social ladder, can be bullied extensively by groups of Discus higher up the chain, so much in fact That it can lead to death in some cases.
Discus Reproduction and Life Cycles
Discus form pair bonds when They are about 75% of Their adult size and growing niche to REMAIN these pairs together for life. They choose a nearly vertical Spawning site, the which is then cleaned in preparation for the female to lay Between 80 and 400 eggs. The male then fertilises them and both parents help to guard Their eggs until They hatch. Like other cichlids, Discus Their parents care for young well and even secrete a slimy substance through Their scales for Their fry to feed off for the first couple of weeks. Discus can live until They are Between 10 and 15 years old but it is not uncommon for Those kept in well-run artificial habitats, to reach even older ages.
Discus Diet and Prey
Like many other Fish, Discus will eat almost anything That will fit in their mouths. Despite this, They have a predominately meat-based diet high in protein That Is. They feed on small Mainly Fish and fry, along with Aquatic Insects and other larvae, and invertebrates Such as Worms. They Relatively SLOWLY growing niche to eat, grazing through the surrounding waters for tasty morsels. Those kept in captivity are also commonly fed Brine Shrimp and Bloodworm the which are both protein-rich, along with standard Fish flakes (although this needs to be monitored to avoid over-feeding).
Unlike many other cichlid species, the Discus Fish is a very Sociable and is Often found in large groups (known as schools), in their native habitats. Living in these large groups the Discus That means very advanced displays behavior for a Cichlid, as other species are not schooled Fish. Discus are Generally mild mannered but are known to Become Their aggressive within pair bonds, or when defending Their young or territory. One common observation from Those kept in tanks, is that the Fish at the bottom of the social ladder, can be bullied extensively by groups of Discus higher up the chain, so much in fact That it can lead to death in some cases.
Discus Reproduction and Life Cycles
Discus form pair bonds when They are about 75% of Their adult size and growing niche to REMAIN these pairs together for life. They choose a nearly vertical Spawning site, the which is then cleaned in preparation for the female to lay Between 80 and 400 eggs. The male then fertilises them and both parents help to guard Their eggs until They hatch. Like other cichlids, Discus Their parents care for young well and even secrete a slimy substance through Their scales for Their fry to feed off for the first couple of weeks. Discus can live until They are Between 10 and 15 years old but it is not uncommon for Those kept in well-run artificial habitats, to reach even older ages.
Discus Diet and Prey
Like many other Fish, Discus will eat almost anything That will fit in their mouths. Despite this, They have a predominately meat-based diet high in protein That Is. They feed on small Mainly Fish and fry, along with Aquatic Insects and other larvae, and invertebrates Such as Worms. They Relatively SLOWLY growing niche to eat, grazing through the surrounding waters for tasty morsels. Those kept in captivity are also commonly fed Brine Shrimp and Bloodworm the which are both protein-rich, along with standard Fish flakes (although this needs to be monitored to avoid over-feeding).
Discus Predators and Threats
Discus Inhabit areas where there is plenty of underwater debris for them to hide amongst. Their unique shapes, colors and markings also Provide them with camouflage from approaching predators in the Amazon river system. Larger species of Fish, Turtles and other water-dwelling animals are the most common predators of the Discus, along with other predators Such as Bats and Birds That Hunt the Discus from the sky above. Discus Populations across South America are also Threatened by habitat destruction, Caused both by deforestation and pollution of the surrounding water.
Discus Interesting Facts and Features
The Discus today is an incredibly popular aquarium species and it is thought to be one of the most written about tropical Fish, over a period of just 50 years. Although Fish today are all thought to have come from the green, brown and blue Discus in the wild, others colors are much more common in tanks Including yellow, black and red. Today there is a major industry behind the captive breeding of Discus, the which Occurs primarily in Fish farms in a number of countries in Asia. They are Relatively peaceful Fish, co-inhabiting Their surroundings with other, smaller Generally Fish That Provide no competition for food.
Discus Inhabit areas where there is plenty of underwater debris for them to hide amongst. Their unique shapes, colors and markings also Provide them with camouflage from approaching predators in the Amazon river system. Larger species of Fish, Turtles and other water-dwelling animals are the most common predators of the Discus, along with other predators Such as Bats and Birds That Hunt the Discus from the sky above. Discus Populations across South America are also Threatened by habitat destruction, Caused both by deforestation and pollution of the surrounding water.
Discus Interesting Facts and Features
The Discus today is an incredibly popular aquarium species and it is thought to be one of the most written about tropical Fish, over a period of just 50 years. Although Fish today are all thought to have come from the green, brown and blue Discus in the wild, others colors are much more common in tanks Including yellow, black and red. Today there is a major industry behind the captive breeding of Discus, the which Occurs primarily in Fish farms in a number of countries in Asia. They are Relatively peaceful Fish, co-inhabiting Their surroundings with other, smaller Generally Fish That Provide no competition for food.
Discus Relationship with Humans
The grace and elegance of the Discus Fish have fascinated enthusiasts from around the world since They were first Discovered in South America in the mid 1800s. However, excessive captive breeding has led to the fading of dark stripes Their meaning can communciate less That They Effectively within the group. They can also be very difficult, to keep in artificial habitats as a great deal of care and attention needs to be paid to both water quality and Their Their feeding, along with the other species That They are sharing with Their environment.
Discus Conservation Status and Life Today
Today, the Discus is listed as a Threatened species in it's natural habitat That meaning if the situation progresses unchanged, the Discus will be at threat from extinction in the wild in the near future. Although many variations of Discus occur in tanks around the world, population numbers of the original Discus species in the wild are declining, primarily due to the decreasing quality of the surrounding water.
The grace and elegance of the Discus Fish have fascinated enthusiasts from around the world since They were first Discovered in South America in the mid 1800s. However, excessive captive breeding has led to the fading of dark stripes Their meaning can communciate less That They Effectively within the group. They can also be very difficult, to keep in artificial habitats as a great deal of care and attention needs to be paid to both water quality and Their Their feeding, along with the other species That They are sharing with Their environment.
Discus Conservation Status and Life Today
Today, the Discus is listed as a Threatened species in it's natural habitat That meaning if the situation progresses unchanged, the Discus will be at threat from extinction in the wild in the near future. Although many variations of Discus occur in tanks around the world, population numbers of the original Discus species in the wild are declining, primarily due to the decreasing quality of the surrounding water.
Discus Unique Facts
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Cichlidae
Genus: Symphysodon
Scientific Name: Symphysodon
Common Name: Discus
Group: Fish
Number Of Species: 3
Location: Brazil, Columbia and Peru
Habitat: Deep, slow-moving waters
Colour: Blue, Red, Green, Yellow, Orange, Black, Brown
Skin Type: Scales
Size (L): 20cm - 25cm (8in - 10in)
Diet: omnivore
Prey: Insects, Worms, Small Fish
Predators: Fish, Turtles, Birds
Lifestyle: Diurnal
Group Behaviour: School
Water Type: Fresh
Optimum pH Level: 5.5 - 6.5
Life Span: 8-15 years
Age Of Sexual Maturity: 1-3 years
Incubation Period: 10 days
Average Spawn Size: 150
Name Of Young: Fry
Age Of Independence: 2-3 weeks
Conservation Status: Threatened
Estimated Population Size: Unknown
Biggest Threat: Water pollution
Distinctive Features: A colorful round and disc-like body
Fun Fact: One of the only schooling cichlids!
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Cichlidae
Genus: Symphysodon
Scientific Name: Symphysodon
Common Name: Discus
Group: Fish
Number Of Species: 3
Location: Brazil, Columbia and Peru
Habitat: Deep, slow-moving waters
Colour: Blue, Red, Green, Yellow, Orange, Black, Brown
Skin Type: Scales
Size (L): 20cm - 25cm (8in - 10in)
Diet: omnivore
Prey: Insects, Worms, Small Fish
Predators: Fish, Turtles, Birds
Lifestyle: Diurnal
Group Behaviour: School
Water Type: Fresh
Optimum pH Level: 5.5 - 6.5
Life Span: 8-15 years
Age Of Sexual Maturity: 1-3 years
Incubation Period: 10 days
Average Spawn Size: 150
Name Of Young: Fry
Age Of Independence: 2-3 weeks
Conservation Status: Threatened
Estimated Population Size: Unknown
Biggest Threat: Water pollution
Distinctive Features: A colorful round and disc-like body
Fun Fact: One of the only schooling cichlids!
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