Discus fish are freshwater fish species that are well known for there various colors and patterns. Breeders in Asia and Europe has selectively bred discus fish for many generations to create numerous varieties of discus fish with specific colors, patterns, and traits. For example, some discus fish breed to have solid colors, while others exhibit stripe or spots.
As a result of the breeding effort of these two continents for so many generations, numerous strains of discus fish exist today. The strain of discus fish that is being bred determines the color of a discus fish. For instance, breeders breed red melon discus fish to have solid orange-red colors.
Discus Fish: Colors, Patterns and Care
Additionally, because red melon discus fish are relatively easy to care for, they are often a recommended species to begin keep in an aquarium. In contrast, leopard skin discus fish have darker spots on there orange body, but are more difficult to find in aquarium stores. Discus fish strains that are bred in Asia is more common than those that are rare fish, and as a result of the rarity of these traits in discus fish, they typically cost more money for those who would like to own such a species.
The genetics of discus fish is correlated with these rare traits. Beyond the genetics of discus fish, their pattern can range from solid colors to spotted and striped fish. For instance, blue diamond discus fish have solid colors throughout their bodies.
Fish with red turquoise stripes appear striped but display movement in there tank. Pigeon blood discus fish have red flecks of color on there yellow bodies. Additionally, marbled discus fish have swirling blotches of color on their bodies.
Furthermore, the pattern of discus fish can influence the size of an tank in which they are kept. For instance, discus fish with striped patterns may require more space in their tanks than discus fish with solid color. The color and patterns of discus fish are genetically determined.
Traits are considered dominant if only one of the parents have that trait; they are very reliable in that if one of the parents has a desired trait, that trait will be displayed in the offspring discus fish. In contrast, traits that are recessive must have both parents of the discus fish contain that gene for that trait to be visible in the offspring discus fish. Thus, traits that are difficult to breed are also more expensive to purchase.
For example, both the white butterfly discus and albino discus fish has the recessive genetic trait. The color of discus fish can also be affected by the environment in which they live. For instance, the water in the tank should be kept between 82 and 86 degrees F; the warm water will retain the vivid colors of the discus fish.
If the tank is too warm, the colors of red discus fish may fade into pink color. The water in the tank should also be soft and acidic to bred discus fish. Maintaining too high of a ph level for the water can stress the discus fish, causing their colors to fade.
Additionally, performing water changes every day for approximately 1/4 of the tanks total volume will remove the toxin from the water, allowing the colors of the discus fish to remain vivid. The diet that is provided to discus fish also impact the color of their fish. For example, foods like beef heart and bloodworms provides the protein that discus fish need to grow.
Foods that contain astaxanthin will increase the amount of crimson in the colors of the discus fish; however, using too much of this food can lead to bloat in the discus fish. Foods like spirulina can increase the amount of blue and teal colors in the discus fish. If no color enhancer are provided to the discus fish, the colors may become dull.
Discus fish competitions exist in which judges rate the quality of the discus fish on a scale of 100 points. For instance, judges award 30 points out of 100 for the color intensity of the discus fish; color intensity is the most important factor in the fishs performance in the competition. Additionally, judges award 25 points out of 100 for body shape and the judges award 25 points for the coverage of the color of the discus fishs body.
The remaining 20 points are awarded for the fins and the way that the discus fish swims. A discus fish with a round body and flawless stripes will win more competition than a discus fish with flaws. Additionally, the price of discus fish increase with the rarity of the color patterns of the discus fish.
