Barred danio
Devario pathirana
Also known as Danio pathirana, Sri Lanka danio, Pathirana's Danio
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 70–79°F
- 21–26°C
- pH
- 6.5–7.5
- Adult size
- 2.4 in
- 6 cm
- Minimum tank
- 24 gal
- 90 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Schooling
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Breeding
- Medium
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Cyprinidae
- Origin
- Endemic to the Nilwala River basin in southwestern Sri Lanka.
Overview
The barred danio is an active schooling fish that suits a community of robust tank mates. It makes a good first fish.
Did you know
The barred danio survives in the wild in just one small river system in Sri Lanka. Buying captive-bred fish takes pressure off that wild population.
Caring for the barred danio
Keep barred danios in a tank of 24 gal (90 L) or more. These active fish jump, so fit a tight lid. Cooler water suits them, at 70 to 79°F (21 to 26°C) and a pH of 6.5 to 7.5.
Feed flakes, micropellets and frozen foods such as daphnia and bloodworms. Keep a group of at least six to eight, since a small group can turn nippy. In a proper group they are lively but peaceful, and they mix well with other robust community fish. Barred danios breed readily in captivity.
Good to know
Devario pathirana was described in 1990, and it is sometimes still listed as Danio pathirana. It is critically endangered in the wild because it lives in such a small area. Bold blue-green bars and stripes over a pale body make it more colorful than most of its danio relatives.
In the wild
The barred danio comes from clear, moderate streams in the Nilwala basin of southwestern Sri Lanka. It swims in fast shoals in the upper water, among rocks and plants.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
The barred danio is a mostly peaceful, schooling species that keeps to the middle. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.
Neocaridina shrimp
Neocaridina davidi
Freshwater1.6 in (4 cm) · 5 gal (19 L)59–84°F (15–29°C)
Neon tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
Freshwater1.5 in (3.8 cm) · 11 gal (40 L)70–77°F (21–25°C)
Congo tetra
Phenacogrammus interruptus
Freshwater3.1 in (8 cm) · 24 gal (90 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Striped flying barb
Esomus metallicus
Freshwater3 in (7.5 cm) · 24 gal (90 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Mekong lizard loach
Homaloptera confuzona
Freshwater3.2 in (8.2 cm) · 24 gal (90 L)70–81°F (21–27°C)
Wrestling halfbeak
Dermogenys pusilla
FreshwaterBrackish2.8 in (7 cm) · 25 gal (95 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a barred danio need?
A barred danio needs at least 24 gal (90 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does a barred danio need?
A barred danio is comfortable at 70–79°F (21–26°C) with a pH of 6.5–7.5.
What does a barred danio eat?
A barred danio eats flakes, micropellets and frozen foods such as daphnia and bloodworms.
How big does a barred danio get?
An adult barred danio reaches about 2.4 in (6 cm).
Does a barred danio need a group?
Yes. A barred danio is a schooling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.
How does a barred danio breed?
Barred danios breed readily in captivity.
Related species
3.5 in (9 cm)34 gal (130 L)59–81°F (15–27°C)Bengal danio
Devario devario
3.5 in (9 cm) · 34 gal (130 L)
5.1 in (13 cm)48 gal (180 L)64–77°F (18–25°C)Malabar danio
Devario malabaricus
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3.1 in (8 cm)24 gal (90 L)64–77°F (18–25°C)Lake Inle danio
Devario auropurpureus
3.1 in (8 cm) · 24 gal (90 L)
3.1 in (8 cm)30 gal (115 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)Queen danio
Devario regina
3.1 in (8 cm) · 30 gal (115 L)
5.9 in (15 cm)50 gal (190 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)Giant danio
Devario aequipinnatus
5.9 in (15 cm) · 50 gal (190 L)
2.4 in (6 cm)20 gal (75 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Black ruby barb
Pethia nigrofasciata
2.4 in (6 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)