Hai una foto? Identifica i pesci all'istante con l'app Fishby.
Apri l'appDescrizione
Symphysodon aequifasciatus, commonly known as the Discus, is a freshwater cichlid native to the Amazon River basin. Renowned for its distinctive disc-shaped body and vibrant coloration, it is a highly sought-after aquarium fish. The species exhibits complex social behaviors and parental care, making it a fascinating subject for both aquarists and ichthyologists. Its natural habitat consists of slow-moving, warm, and acidic waters, often rich in tannins from decaying vegetation.
Caratteristiche fisiche
- Forma del corpo
- compressed
- Colorazione
- Highly variable, ranging from shades of green, blue, brown, and red, often with vertical stress bars and intricate patterns of spots, stripes, or marbling. Wild forms typically exhibit more subdued green, brown, or blue hues with nine prominent vertical stress bars.
- Tipo di squame
- ctenoid
- Posizione della bocca
- terminal
- Caratteristiche distintive
- Laterally compressed, disc-shaped body, Small mouth, Large eyes, Elongated dorsal and anal fins that extend almost to the caudal fin, Nine prominent vertical stress bars (often visible or can be intensified by stress or excitement)
- Pinna dorsale
- Long and continuous, extending from just behind the head to the caudal peduncle, with 9-14 spines and 27-35 soft rays.
- Pinna caudale
- Rounded to slightly emarginate, typically with 14-16 rays.
- Pinna pettorale
- Small and rounded, positioned just behind the operculum.
- Pinne distintive
- Pelvic fins are elongated and filamentous, often used for tactile exploration and communication.
Consigli per l'identificazione
Body Shape
Look for the characteristic highly compressed, circular to oval body shape, which gives it its 'discus' name.
Coloration and Patterns
Observe the base color (green, blue, brown) and the presence of nine vertical stress bars. Wild-caught specimens often have iridescent blue or green markings on the head and fins, and red spots or lines on the body.
Fin Structure
Note the long, continuous dorsal and anal fins that almost meet the caudal fin, and the elongated, filamentous pelvic fins.
Eye Size
Discus have relatively large eyes compared to their head size.
Habitat
- Tipo di acqua
- freshwater
- Profondità
- Typically found in shallow waters, usually less than 2 meters (6.5 feet), often among submerged roots and vegetation.
- Ambiente
- Slow-moving, clear or blackwater rivers, tributaries, and flooded forests (igapós and várzeas) of the Amazon basin. They prefer areas with dense vegetation, submerged branches, and leaf litter, which provide shelter and foraging grounds. Water is typically soft, acidic, and warm.
- Areale geografico
- Amazon River basin in South America, specifically in Brazil, Peru, and Colombia. The species Symphysodon aequifasciatus is primarily found in the western and central Amazon, including the Rio Solimões, Rio Negro, and their tributaries.
Informazioni sull'acquario
- Livello di cura: advanced
- Temperamento: peaceful
- Dieta: omnivore
- Dimensione minima della vasca: 75 gallons (280 liters) for a group of 5-6 adults
- Temperatura: 27-31°C (80-88°F)
- Livello di pH: 5.5-7.0
- Durezza: 1-4 dGH (soft water)
- Compatibilità: Best kept in species-specific tanks or with other peaceful, similarly sized, and water-parameter-compatible fish such as cardinal tetras, rummy-nose tetras, and certain dwarf cichlids. Avoid aggressive or fin-nipping species.
- Requisiti speciali: Requires pristine water quality with frequent partial water changes, a well-established biological filter, and a stable environment. Substrate should be fine sand or bare-bottomed for easier cleaning. Live or frozen foods are preferred, and a varied diet is crucial. They thrive in planted tanks with driftwood and subdued lighting to mimic their natural environment. Stress can lead to disease, so a calm environment is essential.
Informazioni in natura
- Stato di conservazione: least concern
- Stagionalità: Breeding in the wild is often tied to the rainy season, when water levels rise and food sources become more abundant. In aquariums, breeding can occur year-round with proper conditions.
- Prezzo di mercato: Highly variable, from $30 to several hundred dollars per fish depending on size, color strain, and rarity.
- Importanza commerciale: high
- Sapore: Not typically consumed due to its value as an ornamental fish.
- Consistenza: N/A
- Valore nutrizionale: N/A
Fatti chiave
Parental Slimebehavior
Discus parents secrete a nutritious mucus (often called 'discus milk') from their skin, which their fry feed on during the first few weeks of life. This unique parental care strategy is crucial for the survival and growth of the young.
Social Hierarchybehavior
Discus are highly social fish and establish a clear pecking order within a group. Keeping them in groups of at least 5-6 individuals helps distribute aggression and reduces stress, as a single dominant fish might otherwise bully weaker individuals.
Color Variationinteresting
Through selective breeding, aquarists have developed an astonishing array of color strains and patterns, far exceeding the natural variations found in the wild. These include 'Pigeon Blood', 'Turquoise', 'Red Melon', and 'Leopard' discus.
Water Quality Demandsinteresting
Discus are often considered the 'kings of the aquarium' due to their beauty, but also because of their demanding water quality requirements. They are highly sensitive to nitrates and fluctuations in pH and temperature, making them a challenge for even experienced aquarists.
Informazioni di sicurezza
Sicuro- Livello di sicurezza: safe
- Velenoso: No
- Commestibilità: not recommended
- Note sul maneggio: Discus are delicate fish and should be handled with extreme care to avoid stress and injury. Use a soft net or a container to transfer them. Avoid prolonged exposure to air. Their spines are not venomous but can cause minor punctures if handled carelessly.
Specie simili
Heckel Discus
Symphysodon discus
Symphysodon discus typically has a more pronounced and thicker fifth vertical stress bar (often referred to as the 'Heckel bar') that is much darker and more prominent than the other eight bars. S. aequifasciatus usually has all nine bars of similar thickness and intensity, though they can vary. S. discus also tends to have a more rounded body shape and often exhibits a reddish-brown base color with blue or green striations.
Blue Discus
Symphysodon haraldi
While S. haraldi (often referred to as the Blue Discus or Brown Discus in older literature) is now considered a synonym of S. aequifasciatus by some taxonomists, historically it was distinguished by its more intense blue coloration and less prominent red spotting compared to the Green Discus. Modern understanding often groups these variations under S. aequifasciatus, with color forms being geographical or phenotypic variations rather than distinct species.
Classificazione scientifica
- Regno
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Classe
- Actinopterygii
- Ordine
- Cichliformes
- Famiglia
- Cichlidae
- Genere
- Symphysodon
- Specie
- Symphysodon aequifasciatus
Esplora Discus
Identifica pesci ovunque
Gratis su iOS, Android e Web. Identificazione tramite foto, dettagli completi sulle specie e molto altro.