Discus fish of the genus Symphysodon

PD Photo: Blue Discus fish (Symphysodon aequifasciata)

PD Photo: Discus fish, variuos, in the home aquarium

PD Photo: Red Turquoise Discus Fish

PD Photo: Discuss Fish, Symphysodon hybrid from Beijing, China

Discuss fish, a native of the Amazon River

PD Photo: Blue discus (Symphysodon aequifasciatus) with color variation

Discus fish (Symphysodon genus) are a genus of three species of cichlid freshwater fishes native to the Amazon River basin. They are popular as aquarium fish and in aquaculture. Discus fish belong to the genus Symphysodon, which includes three species: the Common Discus (Symphysodon aequifasciatus), the Heckel Discus (Symphysodon discus) and Symphysodon tarzoo.

Like cichlids, all Symphysodon species have a laterally compressed body shape, and rounded shape from which their name discus is derived. The sides of the fish are patterned in shades of green, red, brown, and blue.