Tag Archives: Fish Facts

Facts about Discus Fish: Their bodies are flat and round like a discus, and they have distinctive markings on their bodies. Known as the King of the Aquarium, this freshwater fish gets brighter when it senses threat.

admin    May 28, 2019   CATEGORY: Freshwater Aquariums

King of the Aquarium: Facts about Discus Fish

A discus fish is certainly eye-catching, and its body shape gives it a unique elegance that you would enjoy seeing in your freshwater aquarium. But fair warning: discus fish need a lot of love and attention, so they’re more ideal for experienced hobbyists. If you want to give one a home with you anyway or you are an experienced hobbyist who has never owned one of these beauties before, following are some facts about discus fish you might want to know.

Discus Fish Facts for the New or Experienced Hobbyist

• A discus is a type of cichlid.

• It’s known as the “King of the Aquarium Fish.”

• Its body is flat and round, like a discus used in track and field, and it has large, extended fins.

• Discus fish have beautiful patterns on their bodies that generally include wavy lines or nine horizontal stripes.

• Discus fish facts: Discus fish are cichlids. Common colors are red and blue. Known as the King of the Aquarium, this freshwater fish has distinctive marks on its body, which is flat and round like a discus.They are available in a variety of vivid colors, although the three main groups of discus are green, blue, and brown. Their colors get brighter when the fish has intense emotions, such as fear.

• They originate in the Amazon basin of South America.

• Their tiny mouths make them appear as if they are striking a pose.

• Discus prefer warm water with a range of 80 to 86 degrees.

• The pH level of the water should be 5 to 7.

• Its title of “king” is betrayed by its size. A discus fish only grows to about 10 inches and generally weighs less than 9 ounces.

• They are carnivores. Ideal foods for them include blood worms, shrimp, and other substantial frozen foods.

• Males and females will stay together as couples. They stay in slightly acidic water during breeding. Both secrete nourishment from their skin for their newborns. The fry feed off these secretions for up to a couple of weeks.

• They’re peaceful fish, so they get along well with each other.

• In the wild, they’re found in schools, so if you do want to own discus fish, you should have several of them in your freshwater aquarium.

• They’re not the fastest swimmers, which is perhaps why they prefer to stay together.

• The scientific name for discus fish is Symphysodon. The red discus is known as Symphysodon discus, and the blue/brown discus are called Symphysodon aequifasciatus.

• Male discus fish are generally larger than female discus fish.

• Discus fish require very clean water, so having the proper filtration system and regular aquarium maintenance is critical to the long-term health of the fish.

• With proper care, your charismatic and charming discus fish can live up to 10 years.

For additional facts about discus fish tank maintenance, contact Seatech Aquariums online or by phone at (602) 628-7270.

Contact Seatech Aquariums for fish tank installation in the greater Phoenix area, as well as additional information or facts about discus fish care.

 

TAGS: Aquarium Fish Care, Discus Fish, Fish Facts, Freshwater Aquarium,

The cherry-like lump on the head of a flowerhorn fish is called a nuchal hump, or kok.

admin    March 31, 2019   CATEGORY: Fish Facts

Flowerhorn Fish: All Dressed Up and Nowhere to Go

If you look at flowerhorn fish at just the right angle, it looks like they’re wearing elegant hats for a black-tie affair from a different era. The look rather suits them.

You might also see a chef’s hat, so perhaps it’s its way of disguising itself as everyone’s favorite cook to keep from being eaten alive.

Others think more of a flower with a beautiful round blossom on top. Yet others see a horn like you’d see on a child’s bicycle.

Any way you look at it, these cichlids are clearly some of the most unusual looking pet fish around.

All About the Flowerhorn Fish

The lump on top of a flowerhorn fish is called a nuchal hump or kok.We would call its uniqueness beautiful, but we don’t want to give it a big head.

Ah, sorry … we couldn’t resist one more bad joke. We’ll stop now and just tell you what you want to know about these bubbly fish.

  • They’re not completely natural. They’re manmade hybrid fish.
  • The cherry-like lump on their heads is called a nuchal hump.
  • You can get one for a reasonable price of $10 or so, but some can be hundreds or thousands of dollars.
  • Flowerhorn fish can be very aggressive, so they need their own tank. In fact, even plants can’t live with them. If you do add plants to the tank, make sure they’re minimal. Artificial plants may be a better option in this case, and man-made filters will help keep the tank clean.
  • They grow to about 8 inches long.
  • Keep the temperature in the tank at about 82 degrees. A neutral pH level of 7 is recommended.
  • Common varieties are Golden Base, King Kong Parrots, Kamfa, IndoMalau, Zhen Zhu, and Thai Silk flowerhorn fish.
  • A flowerhorn fish, which is a hybrid fish, is known for its big mouth and big head.While they hold the crown with hobbyists, other fish think they’re the pits. When released into the wild, some flowerhorns are considered invasive species to the native environments.
  • Flowerhorn fish have only existed for about three decades.
  • With proper TLC, they can live for about 11 years.
  • Although they’re aggressive, they tend to have lively personalities. They may even bond with you once they get to know you.
  • The nuchal hump regularly expands and shrinks.
  • Also called a kok, the lump looks like a big brain, but it actually consists of fat and a gelatinous structure. Therefore, it can be damaged or torn easily, which may explain why they prefer to be alone.

See our blog page to learn more about different fish characteristics, aquarium maintenance, and more.

 

TAGS: Aquarium Living, Fish Facts, Flowerhorn Fish, Golden Base, Kamfa, King Kong Parrots, Nuchal Hump, Thai Silk,