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Cyprinds
/ Danios / Zebra Danio
Zebra Danio
Brachydanio rerio | Pictures
Synonyms: Cyprinus
rerio, Danio rerio, Perilampus striatus
Physical description: A slender fish with two pairs of barbels.
The back is brownish-gold, while the
body has gold and blue alternating, lateral stripes.
The fins have the same coloration, and the belly is white.
The
fins may be elongated depending on the variety.
The mouth is up-turned toward the surface.
Size/Length: To 2.4" (6 cm)
Similar species: Spotted Danio (
B. nigrofasciatus )
Habitat: Clear, fast-flowing streams; and rice patties in Eastern India and Bangladesh.
S: All
Aquarium: A tank measuring 30" (76 cm) with a capacity of 20-25 gallons (75-98 L) is recommended
for a school of Zebra Danios, although a 20" (50 cm) or 10 gallon tank is possible.
The tank should have large, open swimming
areas and a tight-fitting cover.
A substrate of coarse gravel or pebbles is recommended.
Use planting along the sides and back
of the tank.
This species is a jumper-so cover the tank well.
Water chemistry: pH 6-8 (7.0), 2-20 dH (8), 64-75°F (18-24°C)
Social behavior: An active schooling species which can be kept in almost any community tank.
Do
not combine the Zebra Danio with species that are frightened with constant movement.
The Zebra Danio forms pairs, and will
often not spawn with different partners.
Suggested companions: Gouramis, Barbs, Danios, Bala Shark, Loaches,
Corydoras, Loricarids, tetras.
FOOD: Flakes; live;
Drosophila , other insects, insect larvae, crustaceans;
occasionally algae.
Sexual differences: Males are smaller and slimmer.
Often they are more colorful.
Breeding techniques: Use warmer water with a temperature from 75-79°F (24-26°C).
Use a tank with a water level of four
to six inches deep, with heavy planting and a substrate of marbles.
Condition the pair with insect larvae
and Brine Shrimp.
Add the female to the tank first, with the male being added 12-24 hours later.
The
pair usually will spawn with the coming of morning sunlight.
400-500 eggs are scattered on plants.
The
pair can be fed on white worms to keep them from consuming their spawn.
After spawning is complete, remove the
pair.
The fry hatch in two days and are free-swimming after 5-7 days.
Start feeding with paramecia, and a
couple days later with powdered dry foods.
Breeding potential: 4.
A prolific, easily bred species.
Remarks: The Zebra Danio was introduced to the hobby in 1905.
Several selectively-bred varieties are
available.
These include a long-finned variety, a gold morph, and an albino type.
Virtually all specimen sold in fish
stores are captive-bred.
Difficulty of care: 2.
A robust species that makes an attractive addition to any hobbyist's community tank.
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.
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