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Longfin Blue Danio Longfin Blue Zebra Danio

Family: Cyprinidae

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Danio rerioPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy David Brough

     Colored in stippled silvery blue with long flowing fins, the Longfin Blue Danio is a delightful fish!

     The Longfin Blue Danio is a variety of the Zebra Danio, but is earning popularity in its own right and was probably developed from the Leopard Danio. An ideal fish for the beginner, the Longfin Blue Danio or Longfin Blue Zebra Danio is attractive, hardy, and a prolific breeder. They do well in most community tanks and are a great addition to any collection of danios.

     Their behavior is pretty typical of the danio group, friendly enough, but definitely active and fast moving. It is a schooling fish and should be kept in a small group of at least five or more. Although the Longfin Blue Danio may bicker and chase others in their species, without the company these fish it will be miserable and ultimately die. A school of danios can be housed with most any fish, provided that the danios will not be eaten and that the other fish aren't startled by swift movement.

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

Distribution:      The Longfin Blue Danio is a man made cultivar, but its ancestry can be traced to the Zebra Danio, a fish from South East Asia.

Status:      These fish are not endangered.

Description:      The graceful and attractive Longfin Blue Danio has a slender elongated body, stippled silvery blue with long flowing fins.
     Their extended fins and tail mean that Longfin Blue Danios will be extra sensitive to fin rot and other diseases affecting that region. Fins may also be damaged during normal activity of this fish, and if large tears are noticed, it may be wise to add a fin repair medication. There are no varieties of this fish.

Size - Weight:      Longfin Blue Danios will grow to about 1.5 inches (4 cm) in the home aquarium.

Care and feeding:     Longfin Blue Danios are omnivorous. A balanced diet for them would include flake or pelleted foods, plant based food, and occasional live prey. 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.
     This fish as 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. Don't present them with an opportunity to jump; keep a tight lid on the aquarium and be mindful during maintenance. Dense tall plantings around the sides and back are great, but these fish prefer open water in the middle of the tank for swimming.

Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom:      The Longfin Blue Danio will spend most of its time in the top and middle regions, particularly if there is open water or water current.

Acceptable Water Conditions:      Temp: 64-75 ° F (18-24 ° C)
     pH: 6.5.0-7.5
     Hardness: 2-20 ° dGH

Social Behaviors:      Although they may tease each other and even engage in harmless fights, the danio tank is usually one of uneasy peace. Longfin Blue Danios really need to be kept in a group to feel comfortable, with five individuals being a good minimum. Don't keep them with fish that can eat them or fish that demand a peaceful aquarium. Also, those long flowing fins are a temptation too great for any fin nipper to resist, so pick other tank mates carefully.

Sexual Differences:      Males are slightly thinner and smaller.

Breeding/Reproduction:      Breeding the Longfin Blue Danio is very easy, and 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.

Availability:      Longfin Blue Danios are available in many locations. Cost ranges generally from $1 - $5 USD in a pet store and about the same from internet or mail order.

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Latest Comments
My danios will not court each other! They just are not interested! I am wondering what I can do! R H 2008-07-23
Today (13/01/07) I added the blue danio to my community tank. At first their spashing startled me, but I have since come to love to watch and listen to them. Thanks for your comments on this page which has helped me to better understand the blue danio's behaviour. They are my best buy yet... Troy 2007-01-14
the blue danio is a very hardy fish, my sister kept it with gold fish and platys and it survived the 'green' water! ... 2006-09-12

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