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
Keep barred danios in a group of at least six to eight in a tank of 90 litres or more, since a small group can turn nippy. Cooler water at 21 to 26 C with a pH of 6.5 to 7.5 and a tight lid suits these active jumpers. Feed flakes, micropellets, and frozen foods such as daphnia and bloodworm. Kept in a proper group they are lively but peaceful and mix well with other robust community fish.
In the wild
The barred danio comes from a small area of clear, moderate streams in the Nilwala basin of southwestern Sri Lanka. It swims in fast shoals in the upper water among rocks and plants. Bold blue-green bars and stripes over a pale body make it one of the more striking danios. Its tiny wild range is under pressure, so most tank fish are captive bred.
Good to know
Devario pathirana was described in 1990 and is sometimes still listed as Danio pathirana. It is critically endangered in the wild because it lives in such a small area, but it breeds readily in captivity. It reaches about 6 cm and is more colorful than most of its danio relatives.
Did you know
Buying captive-bred barred danios takes pressure off a wild population that survives in just one small river system in Sri Lanka.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
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.
Apple snail
Pomacea canaliculata
Freshwater5.9 in (15 cm) · 21 gal (80 L)64–81°F (18–27°C)
Zollinger's lizard loach
Balitoropsis zollingeri
Freshwater3.1 in (8 cm) · 24 gal (90 L)70–79°F (21–26°C)Siamese flying barb
Laubuka siamensis
Freshwater2.6 in (6.5 cm) · 24 gal (90 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
Copper Congo tetra
Hemigrammopetersius pulcher
Freshwater2.4 in (6 cm) · 24 gal (90 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Leopard cory
Brochis leopardus
Freshwater2.8 in (7 cm) · 24 gal (90 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Pygmy hatchetfish
Carnegiella myersi
Freshwater1 in (2.5 cm) · 26 gal (100 L)73–79°F (23–26°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.
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.
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
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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
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2.4 in (6 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)