Details
Symphysodon aequifasciatus
The discus is a round-bodied cichlid of Amazonian waters. It lives in quiet, woody habitats and is notable for close parental care of fry.
Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)
It inhabits freshwater forest waters in the Neotropics. Flooded forest, submerged wood, slow flow, and dim water provide cover.
Length 12-20 cm; weight 150 g-250 g. The body is strongly compressed and nearly circular in side view. Colors range through green, brown, and bluish tones with fine vertical bars.
Diurnal and social, juveniles and nonbreeders often move in groups. Breeding pairs defend a site and keep young close.
An omnivore, it eats small invertebrates, algae, and detritus. It picks food from the bottom and surfaces of submerged wood.
A pair lays eggs on a flat surface, and both parents guard eggs and larvae. Fry feed on mucus secreted from the parents’ skin after hatching.
It is listed as Least Concern, though local populations can still be affected by habitat change, collection, or pollution.
