A Cichlid Fish, Symphysodon discus, with Unique Nurture Habits

Abstract

The amazing parent-offspring relationship in Symphysodon discus is probably unique among fishes studied to date. Normally the newly-hatched fry feed exclusively off the skin of the parents. This first food was observed to be an abundant mucous secretion with a granular composition produced by both parents over the entire body including the fins. Histological sections revealed that this food is secreted by numerous, large mucous cells in the epidermis of the hypertrophied parental skin.