Discus vs Whale Shark

Symphysodon discus comparado com Rhincodon typus

Taxonomy & Classification

Atributo	Discus	Whale Shark
Nome Científico	Symphysodon discus	Rhincodon typus
Ordem	Cichliformes	Orectolobiformes
Família	Cichlidae	Rhincodontidae
Conservation Status	Least Concern	Endangered

Physical Traits

Atributo	Discus	Whale Shark
Comprimento Máximo	20,0 cm	1800,0 cm
Peso Máximo	0,25 kg	21500,0 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 gray to blue-gray back covered with a distinctive checkerboard grid of pale white or cream spots and transverse stripes; belly white; the unique spot pattern is unique to each individual.

Habitat & Environment

Atributo	Discus	Whale Shark
Tipo de Água	Freshwater	Saltwater
Faixa de Profundidade	—	0-1928m
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 …	Pantropical in open oceanic and coastal waters between 30°N and 35°S. Aggregates seasonally at feeding sites including Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia, the Gulf of …
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. …	Neritic, coral reefs

Aquarium Suitability

Atributo	Discus	Whale Shark
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.

Whale Shark

Endangered species — consumption is strongly discouraged and illegal in many countries. Historically consumed in parts of Asia; now internationally protected under CITES Appendix II.

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.

Whale Shark

The whale shark is the largest living fish species, reaching lengths of up to 18 meters. Despite its enormous size, it is a gentle filter feeder that consumes plankton, fish eggs, and small fish by swimming with its wide mouth open.