Discus vs Electric Eel

Symphysodon discus 与之比较 Electrophorus electricus

Taxonomy & Classification

属性	Discus	Electric Eel
学名	Symphysodon discus	Electrophorus electricus
目	Cichliformes	Gymnotiformes
科	Cichlidae	Gymnotidae
Conservation Status	Least Concern	Least Concern

Physical Traits

属性	Discus	Electric Eel
最大体长	20.0 cm	250.0 cm
最大体重	0.25 kg	20.0 kg
体色	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

属性	Discus	Electric Eel
水质类型	Freshwater	Freshwater
栖息水深	—	—
地理分布	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 …
栖息地	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

属性	Discus	Electric Eel
最小水箱尺寸	250 L	—
水温	26-30	—
pH 范围	5.0-7.0	—
饲养难度	Difficult	—
性情	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.