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Albino Zebra Danio

Albino Zebra Danio

Family: CyprinidaeDanio rerioPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy Ken Childs

   The Albino Zebra Danio is an active robust little fish that makes an attractive addition to a community aquarium!

   An ideal fish for the beginner, the Albino Zebra Danio is attractive, hardy, and a prolific breeder. A variety of the Zebra Danio, it is a schooling fish and should be kept in a small group of at least three, ideally ten. It can be housed with most any fish, provided that the danio will not be eaten and that the other fish aren't startled by swift movement.

   Like all the Zebra Danio varieties, the Albino Zebra Danio can withstand an impressive range of water temperature and conditions. These fish will generally do just fine without a water heater, as they are comfortable down to the low sixties (F). But even though they are not finicky about water conditions, it's best to not keep your aquarium at either extreme. Don't be surprised if the school spends a lot of time in the stream of the filters or pumps as this is the swift moving environment to which it is accustomed.

   Care needs to be taken that neither specimens nor fertilized eggs be released into the environment, as this fish has invasively populated some environments.  

For more Information on keeping this fish see:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Freshwater Aquarium

Habitat: Distribution / Background

   The Albino Zebra Danio is a naturally occurring color form of the Zebra Danio. In the wild, the Zebra Danio is found in clear freshwater streams of South East Asia.

• Scientific Name: Danio rerio
• Social Grouping: Groups
• IUCN Red List: NE - Not Evaluated or not listed - These fish are not endangered. Care needs to be taken that neither specimens nor fertilized eggs are released into the environment, as this fish has invasively populated some environments.

Description

   The Albino Zebra Danio has a slender compressed body and a barbel at each lip end. This albino color variety is a naturally occurring phenomenon of the Zebra Danio, an absence of pigments on the fish's body surface. This fish should not be confused with the Pearl Danio, which is an entirely different species.

• Maximum Size: 2.5 inches (6.35 cm)

Fish Keeping Difficulty

• Aquarium Hardiness: Very Hardy
• Aquarist Experience Level: Beginner

Foods and Feeding

   Since they are omnivorous, the Albino Zebra Danio will eat most any prepared or live aquarium food. They enjoy chasing after tubifex worms, whether living or freeze dried and floating.
   This fish is fairly hardy and will adapt to most aquarium conditions. Though a school of danios can be kept in a smaller aquarium, they will do best in about a 20 gallon size. The aquarium should have plenty of open water for swimming and be covered to prevent jumps.

• Diet Type: Omnivore
• Flake Food: Yes
• Tablet Pellet: Yes
• Live foods (fishes, shrimps, worms): Some of Diet
• Vegetable Food: Some of Diet
• Meaty Food: Some of Diet
• Feeding Frequency: Several feedings per day

Aquarium Care

• Water Changes: Monthly

Aquarium Setup

• Minimum Tank Size: 10 gal (38 L)
• Suitable for Nano Tank: Yes
• Substrate Type: Any
• Lighting Needs: Moderate - normal lighting
• Temperature: 64.0 - 75.0° F (17.8 - 23.9° C)
• Range ph: 6.0-8.0
• Hardness Range: 2 - 20 dGH
• Brackish: No
• Water Movement: Moderate
• Water Region: All - The Albino Zebra Danio will spend most time in the top and middle regions, particularly if there is open water or water current.

Social Behaviors

   Zebra Danios will get along with their own kind and most other species. A pecking order may emerge in the school, but nothing will come of it. Take care that its tank mates are unable to eat it, and that the Zebra Danio is unable to do the same. In addition, be sure the other fish can keep up with its fast paced lifestyle, because it will aggravate fish that need a peaceful environment.

• Venomous: No
• Temperament: Peaceful - Although a peaceful fish, there is often a clear pecking order in the school. This fish is easily combined with other community fish so long as the others are tolerant of the fast swimming and highly active Albino Zebra Danio.
• Same species - conspecifics: Yes
• Peaceful fish (): Safe
• Semi-Aggressive (): Threat
• Shrimps, Crabs, Snails: Safe - not aggressive

Sex: Sexual differences

   The females are larger, and more fuller bodied than the males, which are more streamlined and slim.

Breeding / Reproduction

   The Albino Zebra Danios are very easy to breed, and it may even occur on accident. Two fish will form a breeding pair which they often keep for life. If you wish to retain the young, the breeding tank should be empty except for a two inch layer of large (.5- 1 inch in diameter) glass marbles. Add the female to the tank and let her settle for about a day before adding the male. When they are both in the tank, adding a few cups of cold water will cause the courtship to begin.
   If conditions are favorable, the female will release her eggs in open water and the male will fertilize. The eggs will then sink to the bottom and fall through the marbles, out of their parents reach. The fry will emerge from the marbles after about 7 days. At that time or before, parents should either be removed or kept constantly well fed.

• Ease of Breeding: Easy

Availability

   The Albino Zebra Danios are readily available and inexpensive. They can be found in pet stores, on the internet, and through mail order.

References

Animal-World References
Freshwater Fish and Plants Tropical Fish ~ Freshwater Fish ~ Aquatic Plants

Authors: "Yvonne" and Clarice Brough, CFFS.

• Zebra Danio : $2.29
• Zebra Danio : $1.18
• Zebra Danio : $1.10

Zebra Danio Offered By: PetsMart Price: $2.29

Zebra Danio 1 1.5 Length Offered By: PetCo Price: $1.18

Long Fin Zebra Danio 1 2 Length Offered By: PetCo Price: $1.10

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