Discus Fish

Appearance

The Discus Fish has a cylindrical main body with a pair of flattened, roughly semicircular structures projecting from the dorsal and ventral sides of the body. The skin and flesh appears to be entirely transparent, with green colour provided in some places by symbiotic algae-like organisms living within specialised body cavities. A little behind the singular orange eye is an oval-shaped opening that allows water to pass over the gills.

The body ends with a pair of transparent cerci, from the bases of which grow a pair of orange photophores encased in a layer of transparent flesh.

Databank Entry

A colorful, small fish with a laterally compressed body, the discus generally survives off of algae or other plant materials.

They also serve as nutritious prey for many other larger or quicker members of the ecosystem. Despite their colorful appearance and lack of real defense mechanisms, they survive mostly by virtue of their relative agility and a tendency to favor narrow crevices and other claustrophobic environments.

Source: Scan

Design

The symbiotic algae of the Discus Fish is likely inspired by the golden jellyfish of Jellyfish Lake, Eil Malk island. These jellyfish also have algae living within their bodies which help to sustain them.

The two cerci on the end of the body are inspired by those of real arthropods.

Sounds

• Swim

Gallery

Side View

Front View

Dorsal View

Bioluminescence

Size comparison with the player

A couple of Discus Fish found in the Deep Lilypads Cave

A Discus Fish in the Tree Spires

Final concept art - by Alex Ries

Alternate designs - by Alex Ries

Both creatures C and D seem to be earlier designs for the Discus Fish.

Trivia

There is a real fish called Discus that shares a similar shape to the Discus Fish.