Discus vs Guppy

Symphysodon discus comparado con Poecilia reticulata

Taxonomy & Classification

Atributo	Discus	Guppy
Nombre Científico	Symphysodon discus	Poecilia reticulata
Orden	Cichliformes	Cyprinodontiformes
Familia	Cichlidae	Poeciliidae
Conservation Status	Least Concern	Least Concern

Physical Traits

Atributo	Discus	Guppy
Longitud Máxima	20,0 cm	6,0 cm
Peso Máximo	0,25 kg	0,002 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.	Males display highly variable iridescent patterns on a gray-olive body; spots, reticulations, and solid patches of red, orange, blue, green, and black; flowing fantail fins often multicolored.

Habitat & Environment

Atributo	Discus	Guppy
Tipo de Agua	Freshwater	Brackish
Rango de Profundidad	—	—
Distribución Geográfica	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 freshwater and slightly brackish streams of northern South America including Venezuela, Trinidad, and Barbados. Tolerates a wide range of salinities; introduced on every …
Hábitat	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. …	Slow-moving rivers, streams, ponds, and drainage ditches of northern South America (Venezuela, Trinidad). Warm, shallow water with dense vegetation (22-28°C). Highly adaptable; introduced worldwide.

Aquarium Suitability

Atributo	Discus	Guppy
Tamaño Mínimo del Acuario	250 L	38 L
Temperatura	26-30	22-28
Rango de pH	5.0-7.0	6.8-7.8
Nivel de Cuidado	Difficult	Easy
Temperamento	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.

Guppy

Not consumed — a tiny ornamental livebearer prized by hobbyists for its dazzling color variations and ease of breeding in the aquarium.

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.

Guppy

The guppy is one of the most widely distributed tropical fish, found in freshwater habitats across the Americas. Males display vivid colors and elaborate tail patterns to attract females. They are live-bearers, giving birth to free-swimming fry.