Discus Fish

freshwater fish · Amazon River · aquarium favorite · colorful

From the Amazon. Discus fish live naturally in the rainforests of Brazil, in the slow-moving waters of the Amazon River basin where they glide gracefully through plants and submerged trees.

Brilliant colors everywhere. These fish come in stunning patterns with reds, blues, greens, yellows, and oranges painted across their flat, coin-shaped bodies, making each one look like a living work of art.

Super devoted parents. Unlike many fish, discus parents stick around to raise their babies and even feed them special mucus on their skin so the babies can grow strong and healthy.

Perfectly round shape. Discus fish are named for their shape, which looks almost like a discus (a disc thrown in track and field) when you see them from the front.

Aquarium superstars. People around the world love keeping discus fish in tanks, and there are now competitions, shows, and breeders dedicated to creating the most beautiful varieties, turning it into a massive worldwide business.