TAXONOMY
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Cichlidae

Genus: Symphysodon aequifasciatus

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: Color varies as they age. They present a dark brownish to green body. They have nine vertical bars along the body, but lack a bold centrally located bar. They have irregular metallic streaks along the belly, dorsal fin, anal fins, and on the dorsal area of the body of green, blue, or turquoise.

Length up to 5 inches (13.7 cm)

DISTRIBUTION/ HABITAT: Blue Discus are found in freshwater in the South America eastern Amazon River basin in Brazil In deep, rocky areas in crevices and among roots. Normally in schools.

DIET IN THE WILD: They feed on insect larvae, insects, and planktonic invertebrates.

REPRODUCTION: S. aequifasciatus eggs are deposited on stones or plants; both parents defend eggs and larvae; larvae feed on a skin mucus during their first few days.

CONSERVATION: IUCN Not Evaluated

References

California Academy of Sciences Steinhart Aquarium, Flooded Amazon 2018 (Vetted C Delbeek)

Ron’s Flickr  https://www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/27863424969/in/dateposted-public/

fishbase www.fishbase.org/summary/Symphysodon-aequifasciatus.html

Animal Diversity Web. animaldiversity.org/accounts/Symphysodon_aequifasciatus/c…

Ron’s WordPress Shortlink wp.me/p1DZ4b-1TF