In the wild, discus fish can be found traveling in small groups among stands of underwater vegetation and submerged tree roots. In their natural environment, discus fish thrive in soft, acidic water having a pH between 6.0 and 6.5 and a water hardness between 0° and 3° dH.īecause they are native to the tropical waters of the Amazon, discus fish are used to a water temperature between 77° and 84° Fahrenheit (25° to 29° Celsius). These fish are typically found in the calm waters of lakes and black water rivers where the water is relatively clean.ĭiscus fish are not found in the main body of the Amazon River because the water is too fast and deep. Discus Fish Natural Habitatĭiscus fish are native to the Amazon River, along with its tributaries and flood plains in South America, ranging from the Putumayo River in northern Peru to the Rio Negro in Brazil. This species can be identified by the red spots on the anal fin and body. Upon revisiting the study, Kullander and his associates Ready and Ferreira determined that the differences in the mitochondrial DNA and morphology between the specimens taken from the eastern and western regions of the Amazon were sufficient to label Symphysodon tarzoo a separate species. Symphysodon tarzoo was first studied during the 1950s but because there was an insufficient number of specimens available for study, the species was placed in synonymy. In recent years, however, these fish have been recognized as a species separate from the central/eastern species of discus Symphysodon aequifasciatus and Symphysodon discus. This species of fish is not, in fact, a new species but rather one that has been a part of the aquarium trade for years under the name Tefé Discus. In the home aquarium, these fish can be highly challenging to keep due to their specific requirements for water conditions. Though they display a wide range of colors, the intensity of their coloration is often rather bland. This group of discus fishes displays a wide variety of colorations ranging from solid green to yellow-green to brown. The final sub-species of Common Discus is Symphysodon aequifasciatus aequifasciatus, or the green discus. In addition to their strict nutritional needs, Blue Discus require soft, acidic water similar to their native South American habitat. Like all discus, Blue Discus are largely carnivorous and require a varied diet of live, frozen and pellet foods. This sub-species of discus can be moderately challenging to keep in the home aquarium due to their nutritional needs and water quality requirements.
Some variants like the Cobalt Blue Discus have a metallic sheen while others, like the Royal Blue Discus, display a mixture of bold colors like blue and yellow. The blue discus is easily recognized by the blue longitudinal stripes and dark banding that runs horizontally along the body.
Symphysodon aequifasciatus haraldi, or the blue discus, generally exhibit a dark blue or purplish brown coloration on their bodies.
#Discus fish care series
Like all discus, the brown discus has a series of vertical stripes running across its body and these stripes are most noticeable around the fins.
This sub-species varies in coloration from light brown to a rust-like reddish brown. The brown discus, Symphysodon aequifasciatus axelrodi, was once one of the most popular types of discus fish because it can be easier to keep compared to other discus variants in the home aquarium. This group of discus can be divided into three sub-species based on coloration: brown, blue and green. Brown Discus, Symphysodon Aequifasciatus Axelrodi
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