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Cichlids
/ South America / Turquoise Discus
Blue Discus, Turquoise Discus, Royal Blue Discus
Symphysodon aequifaciatus haraldi | Pictures
Synonyms: None
Physical description: The disc-shaped body has nine dark vertical bands which fade with age.
The
body color is yellowish-brown to light turquoise.
The dorsal and anal fins are deep blue with a red iridescence.
The
head and upper parts are veined with turquoise markings.
Size/Length: To 6" (15 cm)
Similar species: Other Discus species-
S. aequifaciatus aequifaciatus, S. aequifaciatus axelrodi,
and
S. discus
Habitat: South America; found in the Leticia and Benjamin Constant area, in the Purus River.
S: bottom, middle
Aquarium: The tank should be at least 40" (100 cm) long and 20" (50 cm) tall with
a volume of 45 gallons (170 L).
See the general description of discus for more requirements.
Water chemistry: pH 5-7 (6.5), 0-6 dH (3), 79-88°F (26-31°C)
Social behavior: A calm peaceful fish, see the general of discus for more information
Suggested companions: See Discus description.
FOOD: Live: insect larvae; mosquito larvae, bloodworms; aquatic insects; Back swimmers;
flying insects; crustaceans; Daphnia,
Cyclops , Brine Shrimp; carefully washed
Tubifex worms; pellets; formulated Discus
foods.
Sexual differences: The distinguishing of the male and female is difficult. Adult males may develop a
small lump on their foreheads, but this difference is not always reliable. During the spawning season, the shape
of the genital papillae serves as the best difference. It is round in female and pointed in males, although this
difference is also difficult to detect.
Breeding techniques: Blue Discus breed like other discus species. See the general description of discus.
Breeding potential: 8. Breeding of the Blue Discus is, like all discus, considered difficult.
Remarks: There are many different color variations of the Blue Discus. "Royal Blue"
Discus have distinct blue lines, while the "Red Royal Blue" variation has red and blue markings.
Difficulty of care: 7. A sensitive cichlid.
Recent articles about fish
Overfishing may hurt Amazon forest trees
(2/5/2008) Overfishing is reducing the effectiveness of seed dispersal by fish in the Brazilian Pantanal, reports Nature. The research suggests that fishing practices can affect forest health.
Scientists find fish that literally lives in trees
(10/17/2007) Scientists have found a fish that literally lives in trees, according to research published in The American Naturalist and highlighted in New Scientist Magazine.
Piranhas originated when Amazon was flooded by seawater
(12/4/2007) South America's piranha family of fish -- notorious as eaters of flesh -- can be traced back to a single ancestor which dispersed when the Amazon was flooded by seawater some five million years ago, report researchers from the Institut de Recherche Pour le Developpement (IRD). Today piranhas are exclusively freshwater fish found from the Orinoco River basin in Venezuela to the Parana in Argentina.
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