Introduction
Discus fish from the genus Symphysodon, which currently
includes three species: The common discus (Symphysodon aequifasciatus),
the Heckel discus (Symphysodon discus), and Symphysodon tarzoo.[6]
However, a further investigation published in August 2007[7]
suggested that the genus held the three species: S. aequifasciatus (the
green discus), S. haraldi (the blue/brown/common discus) and S.
discus (the Heckel discus).
Other (sub)species have been proposed times and again, but morphometric
data is (unlike in Pterophyllum, the freshwater angelfish) varies as
much between individuals from one location as it is across the whole range of
all discus fish species. S. tarzoo was described in 1959 and applies to
the red-spotted western population. S. aequifasciatus and S. discus,
meanwhile, seem to hybridise frequently in the wild or have diverged
recently, as they lack mitochondrial DNA lineage
sorting but differ in color pattern and have dissimilar chromosomal translocation patterns. S.
discus occurs mainly in the Rio Negro. Whether S. haraldi is indeed distinct
from S. aequifasciatus remains to be determined; if valid it is
widespread but it might just be a color
Location
and habitat
Symphysodon species inhabit the margins of floodplain lakes and rivers in the Amazon Basin
of lowland Amazonia,[8]
where it is part of the highly diverse Neotropical fish fauna.
The three species of Symphysodon
have different geographic distributions. S. aequifasciatus occurs in the
Rio Solimões, Rio Amazonas and the Río Putumayo-Içá in Brazil, Colombia and
Peru. In contrast the distribution of S. discus appears to be limited to
the lower reaches of the Abacaxis, Rio Negro and Trombetas
rivers. S. tarzoo occurs upstream of Manaus in the western Amazon.[citation needed]
Apperaance
Like cichlids from the genus Pterophyllum,
all Symphysodon species have a laterally compressed body shape. In
contrast to Pterophyllum, however, extended finnage is absent giving Symphysodon
a more rounded shape. It is this body shape from which their common name,
"discus", is derived. The sides of the fish are frequently patterned
in shades of green, red, brown, and blue. The height and length of the grown
fish are both about 20–25 cm (8–10 in).[citation needed]
Reproduction
And Sextual Dimorphism
Another characteristic of Symphysodon species is
their care for the larvae.
As
for most cichlids, brood care is highly developed with both the parents
caring for the young. Additionally, adult discus produce a secretion
through their skin, which the larvae live off during their first few days. This
behaviour has also been observed for Uaru species. However when bred in captivity the larvae
will tend to live off their parents secretion for up to 2 weeks.[9]
We have many high quality flowerhorn fish for sale at www.thaiFH.com
ReplyDeleteAlso supply for flowerhorn wholesale.
Please feel free to contact us at support@thaifh.com