| Range: |
Amazon Basin (in South America) |
| Habitat: |
Rivers, streams, lakes |
| Conservation Status: |
Not listed by IUCN |
| Scientific Name: |
Symphysodon discus |
The discus is a pancake-shaped fish from South America. It is a member of the world's largest family of fish, the cichlids (sik-lids), which includes oscars and angelfish.
Most cichlid species are excellent parents: they commonly guard the eggs in their nests, for instance. But discus go much farther in taking care of the young than any other fish. Within a day of hatching, discus babies cling to their parents' sides and feed on a nutritious mucus produced just for them!
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