|
|
|
Cyprinds
/ Danios / Pearl Danio
Pearl Danio
Brachydanio albolineatus | Pictures
Synonyms: Danio
albolineata, Nuria albolineata
Physical description: A slender and elongated species with a forked tail.
The body ranges in colors depending
on the lighting.
In reflected light, the body is iridescent violet to blue, The belly is faintly blue, while
the back is slightly darker blue.
An iridescent orange, lateral stripe extends from the caudal fin to the middle of the body.
Below
this, is a shorter line with the same color.
Two pairs of barbels are located on the lips of the mouth.
Size/Length: To 2.4" (6 cm)
Similar species: None
Habitat: Inhabits rice patties, canal, and slow parts of brooks and creeks.
Southeast Asia; Burma (Myanmar), India,
Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Thailand.
S: middle, bottom
Aquarium: A tank measuring 30" (76 cm) with a capacity of 20-25 gallons (75-98 L) is an excellent
size for a school of this species.
The essential ingredient for this fish is a large, open swimming area.
Suggest
heavy planting along the sides and back of the tank.
The tank must be well covered as this fish is a confirmed jumper.
The
Pearl Danio enjoys morning sunlight.
Water chemistry: pH 6-7.5 (6.8), 2-18 dH (8), 66-81°F (19-27°F)
Social behavior: A lively, schooling fish that should be kept in groups of six or more.
The
Pearl Danio can be kept in a community tank with other small schooling fish and
Colisa species.
Suggested companions: Gouramis, Barbs, Danios, Bala Shark, Loaches,
Corydoras, Loricarids, tetras.
FOOD: Live; insects; insect larvae,
Daphnia , Brine Shrimp,
Tubifex ;
flakes, pellets.
Sexual differences: Females, when mature, are larger and rounder.
Males are more colorful.
Breeding techniques: Increase the water temperature to 79-86°F (26-30°C) and lower the water level
to four to six inches (10-15 cm).
The tank should be packed with fine-leafed plants, and a substrate of round marbles is
recommended.
Place one male with several females in this tank, with the female having a couple days to acclimate,
before the male is added.
The eggs are scattered among plants.
The adults must be removed right after spawning.
Keep
the tank dark to reduce chances of fungal infections.
The eggs, numbering as many as 600, hatch after 24-36 hours, and the
fry are free-swimming six to seven days later.
The young can be raised on liquid foods, small Infusoria, and roftiers.
Breeding potential: 4.
An easily bred, prolific species.
Remarks: The iridescent colors of this fish only show when kept in a tank with reflected, overhead
light.
A "Yellow Danio" color morph is occasionally available.
Difficulty of care: 1.
A hardy, schooling fish which is recommended for any beginner.
Recent articles about fish
Overfishing may hurt Amazon forest trees
(2/5/2008) Overfishing is reducing the effectiveness of seed dispersal by fish in the Brazilian Pantanal, reports Nature. The research suggests that fishing practices can affect forest health.
Scientists find fish that literally lives in trees
(10/17/2007) Scientists have found a fish that literally lives in trees, according to research published in The American Naturalist and highlighted in New Scientist Magazine.
Piranhas originated when Amazon was flooded by seawater
(12/4/2007) South America's piranha family of fish -- notorious as eaters of flesh -- can be traced back to a single ancestor which dispersed when the Amazon was flooded by seawater some five million years ago, report researchers from the Institut de Recherche Pour le Developpement (IRD). Today piranhas are exclusively freshwater fish found from the Orinoco River basin in Venezuela to the Parana in Argentina.
|
|
|
