Discusディスカス

Symphysodon discusLC— Least Concern

The discus is a round, laterally flattened cichlid native to the Amazon River basin, prized in the aquarium hobby for its vivid color varieties and gentle, social temperament. Uniquely among most fish, discus fry feed on a nutrient-rich mucus called "discus milk" secreted from their parents' skin, and the species has become the centerpiece of a major breeding and show industry across Asia.

Discus (reference photo)
Photo: Doronenko / CC BY 3.0 / Source / cropped

Species Data

Classification
Perciformes / Cichlidae Source
Size
Body length about 12–15 cm excluding the tail fin, maximum total length about 20 cm; some captive individuals reach 23 cm
Weight
About 150–250 g as an adult
Lifespan
Average about 10 years in captivity, up to about 15 years
Diet
Omnivore Omnivorous, eating small aquatic animals and plant and animal detritus (such as periphyton); during the flood season invertebrates can make up as much as 38% of stomach contents
Distribution
Native to the Amazon River basin, with different species occupying the eastern Amazon, western Amazon, and the Rio Negro and its tributaries. Source

Did You Know?

  • For the first several weeks of life, fry feed exclusively on a mucus secretion called "discus milk" produced by their parents' skin, a behavior shared by more than 30 cichlid species but most famously associated with discus. Source
  • Unusually among American cichlids, discus are highly social fish that typically form groups numbering in the dozens. Source

Where to See This Species

Operating facilities registered on this site: Japan 1

Aquamarine FukushimaFukushimaOpened in 2000

Source

Conservation Story

Conservation Status

Least Concern (LC)

Sources

en.wikipedia.org

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FAQ

What is "discus milk"?
It is a nutrient-rich mucus secreted from the skin of adult discus that their fry feed on exclusively for the first few weeks of life, a parental care strategy shared by only a small number of cichlid species. Source
How long do discus fish live in an aquarium?
With good care, discus typically live around 10 years in captivity, and some individuals live as long as 15 years. Source
How many operating facilities are registered here?
Operating facilities registered on this site: Japan 1 Source

Books & gear

Source: ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org