Discus vs Whale Shark

Symphysodon discus в сравнении с Rhincodon typus

Taxonomy & Classification

Характеристика	Discus	Whale Shark
Научное название	Symphysodon discus	Rhincodon typus
Отряд	Cichliformes	Orectolobiformes
Семейство	Cichlidae	Rhincodontidae
Conservation Status	Least Concern	Endangered

Physical Traits

Характеристика	Discus	Whale Shark
Максимальная длина	20,0 cm	1800,0 cm
Максимальный вес	0,25 kg	21500,0 kg
Окраска	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

Характеристика	Discus	Whale Shark
Тип воды	Freshwater	Saltwater
Диапазон глубин	—	0-1928m
Ареал обитания	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 …
Среда обитания	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

Характеристика	Discus	Whale Shark
Минимальный объём аквариума	250 L	—
Температура	26-30	—
Диапазон pH	5.0-7.0	—
Уровень сложности содержания	Difficult	—
Темперамент	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.