Arapaima vs Discus

Arapaima gigas verglichen mit Symphysodon discus

Taxonomy & Classification

Eigenschaft	Arapaima	Discus
Wissenschaftlicher Name	Arapaima gigas	Symphysodon discus
Ordnung	Osteoglossiformes	Cichliformes
Familie	Arapaimidae	Cichlidae
Conservation Status	Data Deficient	Least Concern

Physical Traits

Eigenschaft	Arapaima	Discus
Maximale Länge	450,0 cm	20,0 cm
Maximales Gewicht	200,0 kg	0,25 kg
Färbung	Dark olive-gray to grayish-black back with large scales that become vivid red-orange with black borders on the posterior flanks; belly pale cream; caudal fin reddish and rounded.	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.

Habitat & Environment

Eigenschaft	Arapaima	Discus
Wassertyp	Freshwater	Freshwater
Tiefenbereich	—	—
Verbreitungsgebiet	Restricted to the Amazon River basin in Brazil, Peru, Guyana, and Bolivia. Inhabits flooded várzea lakes, oxbows, and large river channels; surfaces frequently to breathe …	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 …
Lebensraum	Floodplain lakes (várzea) and large river channels of the Amazon basin. Slow-moving, shallow, warm freshwater (26-30°C). An obligate air-breather; rises to surface to gulp air. …	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. …

Aquarium Suitability

Eigenschaft	Arapaima	Discus
Mindest-Aquariengröße	—	250 L
Temperatur	—	26-30
pH-Bereich	—	5.0-7.0
Pflegeschwierigkeit	—	Difficult
Temperament	—	Peaceful

Angelinformationen

Eigenschaft	Arapaima	Discus
Sportfisch	Ja	Nein
Kampfbewertung	10/10	—
Weltrekord	—	—
Quecksilbergehalt	—	—

Cuisine & Edibility

Arapaima

Large, firm white fillets with a mild, clean flavor and low fat; historically a staple protein in Amazonian communities. Often salted and dried; sustainable harvest is tightly regulated.

Discus

Not consumed — a prized ornamental aquarium fish known as the 'king of the aquarium' for its disc-shaped body and brilliant colors.

Species Overview

Arapaima

The arapaima is one of the largest freshwater fish in the world, reaching up to 4.5 meters. An obligate air-breather, it must surface every 10-20 minutes to gulp air. Its tongue is bony and used to crush prey against the roof of its mouth.

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.