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Giant DanioGiant DanioFamily: Cyprinidae Devario aequipinnatusLatest Reader Comment - See More Help my torpedo barb is chasing my new giant danio. I don't know why this happening can someone help asap plz nm1223 The Giant Danio is aptly named, reaching two or three times the size of the other danios!Giant Danio Contents Giant Danios tend to become the stars of the aquarium because of their beautiful markings and bubbly personalities. They are quite spectacular fish to look at and can reflect a surprising range of greens through blues. They behave (and misbehave) much like small children do. Like children, Giant Danios move about ceaselessly, play games with each other, and occasionally squabble over food and space. Although not as hardy as some other species, Giant Danios are quite tolerant and are often used as the first fish in an aquarium to get the system running. Their only real demands are a spacious (30+gallons) and more importantly long aquarium (36+inches) to allow them to swim freely. Some water current will keep them happy. For more Information on keeping this fish see: |
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Habitat: Distribution / Background
The Giant Danio originates from streams in India and its neighboring countries. The streams they inhabit twist among the hillsides and are characterized by dense vegetation and a substrate of smooth rocks and gravel.
- Scientific Name: Devario aequipinnatus
- Social Grouping: Groups - Giant Danios are most comfortable in schools.
- IUCN Red List: DD - Data Deficient
The Giant Danio is an elongated fish with a slender compressed body and a barbel at each lip end. The background color is an overall grayish color, cast with yellows to greens. The sides have a bluish green wide stripe with various yellow stripes and spots. The fins get transparent farther from the body and may have a tinting of pink or green.
No varieties of the Giant Danio are in existence today but a long fin version is being attempted. The occasional albino fish may accidentally occur in a brood, but this is due to a rare genetic mutation and can not be controlled.
- Maximum Size: 4.5 inches (11.43 cm)
- Aquarium Hardiness: Very Hardy
- Aquarist Experience Level: Beginner
Giant danios are omnivorous, so it is the aquarist's responsibility strike a balance between plant based and meaty foods. In the wild they pick off insects from the water surface, so often won't really chase after food that has left the surface until everything else is gone. As with all danios, these fish are quite active and have high nutrient requirements, so select a flake food that will provide for their needs.
These fish are fairly hardy and will adapt to most aquarium conditions. They will do best in a spacious aquarium of 30 or more gallons, and more importantly in a long aquarium (36+inches) to allow them to swim freely. They need room to swim around and a tight cover to prevent jumps. Use of hardy floating plants to create shadows and a dark substrate will make them even more stunning.
- 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
- Water Changes: Monthly
- Minimum Tank Size: 30 gal (114 L) - This fish should be kept in a long aquarium so it can swim laps and be active.
- Substrate Type: Any
- Lighting Needs: Moderate - normal lighting
- Temperature: 70.0 - 75.0° F (21.1 - 23.9° C)
- Range ph: 6.0-8.0
- Hardness Range: 2 - 20 dGH
- Brackish: No
- Water Movement: Strong
- Water Region: All - The Giant Danio will school in the middle and upper regions, whichever has more open water.
The Giant Danio will be agreeable in a larger group (8+ individuals), but in small numbers tend to irritate each other. In terms of other species, they may harass smaller fish and mildly annoy larger fish but almost never damage either. This is often mistaken for aggression, but to them it's just play. Some aquarists resolve this by keeping them in a species tank or a tank with fish of similar demeanor and size. Never mix them with fish noted for wanting a slower paced environment. It is also advisable to introduce them to the aquarium all at once or at least a few individuals at a time, because lone new comers may be bullied.
- Venomous: No
- Temperament: Peaceful - This fish has a very big personality. It will chase other fish around usually without consequence.
- Same species - conspecifics: Yes
- Peaceful fish (): Monitor
- Shrimps, Crabs, Snails: Safe - not aggressive
Males are more elongate but smaller with more intense coloration.
Breeding the Giant Danio is not at all difficult. Two fish will form a breeding pair which they sometimes keep for life. Add the female to a separate breeding tank and let her settle for about a day before adding the male. When they are both there, the morning sun hitting the tank 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 scatter on the plants and substrate. The fry will emerge from there after about 7 days. At that time or before, parents should either be removed or kept constantly well fed.
- Ease of Breeding: Easy
The Giant Danio is readily available, both in stores and online. Cost ranges generally from $2 - $8 USD in a pet store and about the same from the internet or mail order.
Animal-World References
Freshwater Fish and Plants
Tropical Fish ~ Freshwater Fish ~ Aquatic Plants
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