The Blue Discus (Symphysodon aequifasciatus Pellegrin) is a cichlid from the Amazon River in South America, and is also known as the Brown Discus.

The Blue Discus is a laterally compressed fish, which means that it is vertically thin. It has a round discus-shape. It is patterned in shades of green, red, brown, and blue.

Blue Discus

It can grow to 15 centimetres (6 inches) wide.

The Blue Discus is generally seen in groups of many dozens of individuals.

They live in floodplain lakes and rivers.

It feeds on algae, plant material, and detritus, as well as small insects.

Both parents care for their young. It secretes a substance from their skin, which the young fish (called fry) live on for the first four weeks. During the first two weeks, the parents stay near the fry.

Blue Discus

Blue Discus

Blue Discus

Photographer: Martina Nicolls

Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM