Discus vs Electric Eel

Symphysodon discus comparado com Electrophorus electricus

Taxonomy & Classification

Atributo	Discus	Electric Eel
Nome Científico	Symphysodon discus	Electrophorus electricus
Ordem	Cichliformes	Gymnotiformes
Família	Cichlidae	Gymnotidae
Conservation Status	Least Concern	Least Concern

Physical Traits

Atributo	Discus	Electric Eel
Comprimento Máximo	20,0 cm	250,0 cm
Peso Máximo	0,25 kg	20,0 kg
Cor	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.	Dark olive-gray to grayish-brown cylinder-shaped body with a pale yellowish-orange throat and chin; back uniformly dark; scaleless skin has a smooth appearance; long ribbon-like anal fin is pinkish.

Habitat & Environment

Atributo	Discus	Electric Eel
Tipo de Água	Freshwater	Freshwater
Faixa de Profundidade	—	—
Distribuição 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 the Orinoco and Amazon river basins in Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, and Brazil. Inhabits murky, oxygen-depleted floodplain pools, swamps, and slow-moving streams in lowland …
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. …	Estuaries

Aquarium Suitability

Atributo	Discus	Electric Eel
Tamanho Mínimo do Aquário	250 L	—
Temperatura	26-30	—
Faixa de pH	5.0-7.0	—
Nível de Cuidado	Difficult	—
Temperamento	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.

Electric Eel

Not consumed — an ornamental and scientific novelty species kept in specialized aquarium exhibits; edible in principle but extremely dangerous to handle due to powerful electric discharge.

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.

Electric Eel

Despite its name, the electric eel is not a true eel but a knifefish. It can generate electrical discharges of up to 860 volts to stun prey and defend itself. About 80% of its body is dedicated to three electric organs.