Page 79 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

CYPRINIDS/DANIOS 77

Danio nigrofasciatus Danio kerri Devario aequipinnatus
Spotted Danio Blue Danio Great Danio

ORIGINS Southern Asia, occurring only within the ORIGINS Southeast Asia, being restricted to the Koh ORIGINS Asia, occurring in western India as well as on
boundaries of Myanmar (Burma). Yao islands of Thailand. the neighboring island of Sri Lanka.
SIZE 2 in (5 cm). SIZE 2 in (5 cm). SIZE 6 in (15 cm).
DIET Flake and live foods. DIET Flake and live foods. DIET Flake and live foods.
WATER Temperature 72–75°F (22–24°C); soft (50 mg/l) WATER Temperature 72–77°F (22–25°C); soft (50 mg/l) WATER Temperature 72–75°F (22–24°C); soft (50 mg/l)
and acidic to neutral (pH 6.5–7.0). and acidic to neutral (pH 6.5–7.0). and acidic to neutral (pH 6.5–7.0).
TEMPERAMENT Lively and social. TEMPERAMENT Lively, active, shoaling fish. TEMPERAMENT Peaceful and social.
A strong, dark stripe, becoming blue above the A series of alternating narrow yellow and broad
anal fin, helps to distinguish this danio. There is blue horizontal lines typify the body coloration
also an irregular pattern of spots occurring below of the Great Danio. In spite of its name, this fish
this stripe on the lower half of the body. Males are rarely attains maximum size in home aquariums,
smaller than females and have a light brown edge and is quite suitable for inclusion in a community
to the anal fin. Increasing the water temperature tank. In common with many other danios, an
slightly will help to trigger spawning behavior. increase in water temperature and live foods will
These danios maintain a strong pair bond, even help to encourage breeding behavior. A typical
though they live in shoals. They scatter their eggs spawning will comprise 300 to 400 eggs.
in batches among fine-leaved plants.
Straight blue
stripe indicates
A pair of parallel, yellowish stripes along the side a male
of the bluish body is the key feature of this species.
Blue Danios will breed readily in the home
aquarium, with the female simply dispersing her
eggs over the base of the spawning tank. It takes
about four days for the eggs to hatch. These fish, Males have
Female Spotted like all danios, are quite capable of leaping out of thinner bodies
Anal fin than females
patterning their tank, so make sure it is always covered.
Devario devario
Bengal Danio

ORIGINS Asia, occurring in northern and eastern parts of
India, as well as in Pakistan and Bangladesh.
SIZE 6 in (15 cm).
DIET Flake and live foods.
WATER Temperature 72–75°F (22–24°C); soft (50 mg/l)
and acidic to neutral (pH 6.5–7.0).
TEMPERAMENT Active and social.
The Bengal Danio’s attractive patterning of yellow
markings on a bluish background is seen to best
effect in relatively dark surroundings where
floating plants diffuse the lighting. Keep Bengals
in shoals to maintain their appearance, since
single individuals may feel nervous and
become paler as a result. There is usually
some slight variance between the sexes, with
the female (the upper fish in the pair shown
here) having a broader body than the male. The
eggs will be strewn around the spawning tank and
should hatch within two days. Young Bengal Danios
require fry food or a suitable substitute once they
are free-swimming. They can then be reared on a
variety of other foods, ranging from powdered egg
yolk and flake to small live foods. Carry out regular
partial water changes to maintain good water
quality as the young danios grow, and divide them
into separate groups to prevent overcrowding.

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