How to Identify and Classify Discus Fishes
  • 1. What is the scientific name for Discus fish?
A) Symphysodon
B) Betta
C) Pterophyllum
D) Poecilia
  • 2. What is the defining characteristic of a Discus's body shape?
A) Laterally compressed and round
B) Elongated and cylindrical
C) Dorsally flattened
D) Square and box-like
  • 3. How many vertical bars do wild-type Discus typically display?
A) Five
B) Seven
C) Nine
D) Eleven
  • 4. Which species is considered the 'Heckel' Discus?
A) Symphysodon aequifasciatus
B) Symphysodon discus
C) Symphysodon heckel
D) Symphysodon tarzoo
  • 5. Which species is often referred to as the 'Blue' or 'Brown' Discus?
A) Symphysodon aequifasciatus
B) Symphysodon tarzoo
C) Symphysodon heckel
D) Symphysodon discus
  • 6. What is the 'Pigeon Blood' Discus known for?
A) Solid blue color
B) Pepper-like speckling
C) Intense red stripes
D) Bright green fins
  • 7. Which color variation is associated with the 'Red Melon' Discus?
A) Solid red or orange body
B) Blue and black stripes
C) Yellow and green markings
D) White with black spots
  • 8. What is a key indicator of a healthy Discus?
A) Bright eyes and alert behavior
B) Rapid breathing at the surface
C) Fin clamping and hiding
D) Cloudy eyes and lethargy
  • 9. What fin is the most important to examine to confirm a Discus species and morph?
A) Dorsal fin
B) Pectoral Fin
C) Caudal Fin
D) Anal Fin
  • 10. What does 'F1' mean when describing Discus?
A) Fish with one fin
B) First generation offspring of wild-caught parents
C) Fish food grade 1
D) Fully grown, type 1
  • 11. What is generally the best pH range for keeping Discus?
A) 6.0-7.0
B) 7.5-8.5
C) 5.0-6.0
D) 8.5-9.5
  • 12. What temperature range is ideal for Discus?
A) 82-88°F (28-31°C)
B) 72-78°F (22-26°C)
C) 90-94°F (32-34°C)
D) 68-72°F (20-22°C)
  • 13. What is a common sign of stress in Discus fish?
A) Darkening of color
B) Vibrant color enhancement
C) Increased appetite
D) Aggressive behavior
  • 14. Which food type is essential for Discus health and color?
A) Low-protein foods
B) Plant-based flakes
C) Algae wafers
D) High-protein foods
  • 15. What type of water change is generally recommended for Discus?
A) No water changes required
B) Infrequent, large water changes
C) Frequent, small water changes
D) Daily, complete water changes
  • 16. What does 'Turquoise' often refer to in Discus?
A) Yellow bodies
B) Green fins
C) Blue striations
D) Red patches
  • 17. What anatomical difference helps distinguish *S. heckel* from other *Symphysodon*?
A) Lack of bars
B) Smaller eyes
C) Larger fins
D) Prominent middle bar
  • 18. What is the typical social behavior of Discus?
A) They are schooling fish
B) They are highly territorial
C) They are solitary fish
D) They are nocturnal
  • 19. What is the function of the slime coat on a Discus?
A) Aids in digestion
B) Protects against parasites and infections
C) Attracts mates
D) Helps with buoyancy
  • 20. What is a 'Checkerboard' Discus?
A) A Discus with damaged scales
B) A Discus with only red fins
C) Discus with a pattern resembling a checkerboard
D) A Discus that only eats flake food
  • 21. Which of these is NOT a common Discus disease?
A) Gill Flukes
B) Ichthyophthirius multifiliis (Ich)
C) Swim Bladder Disorder
D) Hexamita (Hole in the Head)
  • 22. What is the primary way Discus parents feed their fry?
A) Regurgitate food
B) Lay eggs for the fry to eat
C) Hunt for small invertebrates
D) Secrete slime from their bodies
  • 23. What do the eyes of an unhappy or unwell discus look like?
A) Bright and Active
B) Cloudy and recessed
C) Red and swollen
D) Black and shrunken
  • 24. Why is driftwood or peat often used in Discus tanks?
A) To provide hiding places
B) To lower the pH and add tannins
C) To oxygenate the water
D) To raise the pH and add minerals
  • 25. What is a potential danger of keeping Discus with other fish?
A) Increased oxygen levels
B) Transmission of diseases
C) Reduced aggression
D) Improved water quality
  • 26. What is 'peppering' referring to on Discus?
A) Small black dots/speckles
B) Large red spots
C) Parasites on the scales
D) Fungal infections
  • 27. The 'Leopard' Discus typically displays which pattern?
A) Solid dark color
B) Vertical stripes only
C) Spots and patterns resembling a leopard
D) Scaleless body
  • 28. How do you differentiate male and female Discus fish externally?
A) Difficult to distinguish externally
B) Females have brighter colors
C) Males are larger
D) Males have longer fins
  • 29. What is the importance of water hardness (GH) for Discus?
A) Extremely hard water is needed
B) Hard water is preferred
C) Water hardness is not important
D) Soft water is preferred
  • 30. What type of filtration is most important for a Discus tank?
A) No filtration is needed
B) Chemical filtration
C) Biological filtration
D) Mechanical filtration
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