| Are your aware that discus fish can be found in | | | | information that is not included here. |
| nature in only one location in the world? Did you | | | | You would have to be somewhere on the |
| understand that there are only 4 types of the | | | | Amazon River in South America in order to see a |
| discus? Many cool things about these fascinating | | | | discus fish of any kind in its natural environment. |
| creatures are revealed right here. Most folks are | | | | They can be found nowhere else on the planet |
| much more observant than yours truly . | | | | (naturally, that is). In scientific hierarchy, they are |
| But, "observe, I did" when I noticed my first | | | | part of a huge animal group called Cichlids. There |
| discus aquarium fish at my physician's office. This | | | | are over 1500 different species of fish in the |
| life changing event happened when I was in for | | | | Cichlids group. That makes them the largest |
| my yearly physical. I was somewhat familiar with | | | | vertebrate group in the animal kingdom. And most |
| aquarium setups. And I knew that the more | | | | are freshwater fish. |
| attractive, colorful fish resided in saltwater tanks. | | | | Discus look somewhat like angelfish in shape, being |
| Freshwater aquariums were more dull and drab. | | | | round and flat, but they are even more round, |
| On this occasions, I found out that freshwater | | | | and much more colorful. It turns out that discus |
| fish can be gorgeous too. That is, if they are | | | | and angelfish are both cichlids. But it is NOT a |
| discus fish. The fact that it was not a saltwater | | | | good idea to have them in the same aquarium. |
| tank was revealed to me by the receptionist. It | | | | Angelfish will "steal" the discus food because they |
| took her some time to persuade me that the | | | | eat a lot faster. It could cause malnutrition in your |
| aquarium did not contain saltwater fish. | | | | beautiful discus fish. Isn't that some of the coolest |
| That's when I determined that it was time for | | | | fish data? |
| some research. See, the explanation for not | | | | There are only four types of naturally spawned |
| having had an aquarium is that I thought they | | | | discus fish. These are Heckel, Brown, Blue, and |
| (freshwater fish) were too uninteresting. My | | | | Green. How in the world "Heckel" got in, I have no |
| picture of a freshwater tank was sort of "black | | | | idea. |
| and white" with no color. However, my eye | | | | This is where I come in, and others with a new |
| opening experience changed my mind about the | | | | interest in discus. Folks all over the planet are |
| possibility of getting an aquarium | | | | discovering the beauty of discus fish. The demand |
| It was out of the question for me to do a | | | | has spawned many new breeders of |
| saltwater tank. They were simply too complicated | | | | "home-grown" discus fish. Not only that, but they |
| to maintain. And the were quite pricey, as well. An | | | | are being cross-bred (like roses) using scientific |
| aquarium with saltwater is very complicated and | | | | selection to get even more strains... tons of new |
| requires somebody who is fairly experienced with | | | | and interesting patterns and vibrant colors. |
| water conditions, not to mention much more | | | | This is what I saw at the doctor's office - |
| costly equipment. | | | | artificially bred varieties. Freshwater Discus fish |
| So, here is some of the stuff I found out during | | | | are quite interesting and captivating. |
| my research. But believe me, there is a ton of | | | | |