Angelfish vs Discus
Pterophyllum scalare comparé à Symphysodon discus
Taxonomy & Classification
| Attribut | Angelfish | Discus |
|---|---|---|
| Nom scientifique | Pterophyllum scalare | Symphysodon discus |
| Ordre | Cichliformes | Cichliformes |
| Famille | Cichlidae | Cichlidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Physical Traits
| Attribut | Angelfish | Discus |
|---|---|---|
| Longueur maximale | 15,0 cm | 20,0 cm |
| Poids maximum | 0,03 kg | 0,25 kg |
| Couleur | Silver to pale gold body with four bold black vertical bars including one through the eye; tall triangular dorsal and ventral fins are translucent silver; domesticated forms include gold, black, and marbled variants. | 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
| Attribut | Angelfish | Discus |
|---|---|---|
| Type d'eau | Freshwater | Freshwater |
| Plage de profondeur | — | — |
| Aire de répartition | Native to the Amazon River basin and associated river systems in Peru, Colombia, and Brazil. Inhabits densely vegetated floodplain swamps, flooded igapó forests, and slow … | 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 … |
| Habitat | Slow-moving rivers and flooded forests of the Amazon basin, particularly white-water and clear-water rivers. Warm water (24-30°C); inhabits areas with submerged vegetation and driftwood. | 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
| Attribut | Angelfish | Discus |
|---|---|---|
| Taille minimale de l'aquarium | 190 L | 250 L |
| Température | 24-28 | 26-30 |
| Plage de pH | 6.0-7.5 | 5.0-7.0 |
| Niveau d'entretien | Moderate | Difficult |
| Tempérament | Semi-Aggressive | Peaceful |
Cuisine & Edibility
Angelfish
Not consumed — a graceful ornamental cichlid valued for its triangular body shape and striking vertical banding; widely kept in freshwater community tanks.
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
Angelfish
The freshwater angelfish is a majestic cichlid with a laterally compressed body and long, flowing dorsal and anal fins. Native to the Amazon basin, it has been selectively bred into numerous color varieties including marble, koi, and platinum.
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.