Discus vs Zebra Danio
Symphysodon discus compared with Danio rerio
Taxonomy & Classification
| Attribute | Discus | Zebra Danio |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Symphysodon discus | Danio rerio |
| Order | Cichliformes | Cypriniformes |
| Family | Cichlidae | Danionidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Physical Traits
| Attribute | Discus | Zebra Danio |
|---|---|---|
| Max Length | 20.0 cm | 5.0 cm |
| Max Weight | 0.25 kg | 0.001 kg |
| Color | Deep-bodied disc shape with vibrant turquoise-blue wavy horizontal lines over a reddish-brown to orange-brown base; fins edged in vivid blue with red striping; wild forms show 9 dark vertical bars. | Silver to pale gold body with five continuous horizontal royal-blue stripes running from gill to tail tip, including through the fins; belly silvery-white; fins clear with blue-gold striping. |
Habitat & Environment
| Attribute | Discus | Zebra Danio |
|---|---|---|
| Water Type | Freshwater | Freshwater |
| Depth Range | — | — |
| Geographic Range | Restricted to the central Amazon River basin in Brazil, particularly around the confluence of the Rio Negro and Rio Solimões. Prefers warm, soft, highly acidic … | Native to the Ganges and Brahmaputra river basins of Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Myanmar. Inhabits fast-flowing hill streams, rice paddies, and shallow ponds across the … |
| Habitat | Warm, blackwater rivers of the Amazon basin, particularly the Rio Negro and tributaries. Prefers soft, acidic water (pH 4.5-6.5, 26-31°C) with driftwood and minimal current. … | Fast-flowing, clear mountain streams of the Ganges-Brahmaputra region, India and Bangladesh. Clean, well-oxygenated, shallow water with sandy and gravelly substrate (18-26°C). Lab model organism. |
Aquarium Suitability
| Attribute | Discus | Zebra Danio |
|---|---|---|
| Min Tank Size | 250 L | 40 L |
| Temperature | 26-30 | 18-24 |
| pH Range | 5.0-7.0 | 6.0-8.0 |
| Care Level | Difficult | Easy |
| Temperament | Peaceful | Peaceful |
Cuisine & Edibility
Discus
Not consumed — a prized ornamental aquarium fish known as the 'king of the aquarium' for its disc-shaped body and brilliant colors.
Zebra Danio
Not consumed — a hardy ornamental aquarium fish notable for its horizontal blue-silver stripes and active schooling behavior; also a widely used laboratory model organism.
Species Overview
Discus
The discus is often called the 'King of the Aquarium' for its disc-shaped body and stunning color patterns. Native to the Amazon floodplains, it requires warm, soft, acidic water and feeds its fry with a mucus secretion from its skin.
Zebra Danio
The zebrafish is a small cyprinid native to South Asia's freshwater streams. Its distinctive blue-and-gold horizontal stripes and hardy nature make it a popular aquarium fish. It is also the most widely used vertebrate model organism in genetic research.