Mike’s Fish Tank – Danios

A  very  popular fish species are the Danios.

They are native to the fresh water rivers and streams of Southeast Asia, but many species are brightly colored, and are available as aquarium fish worldwide. They have two pairs of long barbels, and are generally characterised by horizontal stripes (with the exception of the glowlight danio, panther danio and black barred danio which have vertical bars). They range from 2 to 6 in in length. They generally do not live for more than two to three years, and are probably annual fish In the wild. These fish consume various small aquatic insects, crustaceans, and worms, as well as plankton in the case of fry. The care of members of the genus Danio is rather similar and easily generalized. They are easy to keep.

All of these fish are primarily surface feeders. They are omnivorous in the aquarium and will accept a wide variety of foods. Living in the aquaria, live,frozen and flaked foods are suitable, especially brine shrimp and sinking tablets. Danios are voracious eaters; timid feeders may starve in community tanks with danios. When conditioning danios for breeding, it is advisable to feed them plenty of fresh foods.

Although boisterous and liable to chase each other and other fish, they are good community fish and will not generally attack each other or other fish, although they occasionally nip fins, more by accident than design; like most fish, they will eat They are best kept in a tank long enough for their active swimming, preferably with a current from a power filter (or at least airstone) as they often live in fast-flowing streams in the wild. Generally, this also results in them being subtropical with cooler temperatures. They are good jumpers, so a tight-fitting lid is recommended.

Danios are schooling fish and like temperatures of 68 to 80. Some species of Danio, such as the zebra danio, are among the easiest aquarium fish to breed.

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