Dracula fish

Danionella dracula

Also known as Dracula minnow, Dracula danio

FreshwaterFish

Dracula fish (Danionella dracula) — AngryBurmese · CC BY 4.0

Care at a glance

Temperature: 68–79°F (20–26°C)
pH: 6.5–7.5
Adult size: 0.7 in (1.7 cm)
Minimum tank: 11 gal (40 L)
Temperament: Peaceful
Social behavior: Schooling
Swim level: Middle
Difficulty: Medium
Breeding: Medium
Rarity: Rare
Origin: Known from a small area of clear forest streams in northern Myanmar.
Family: Cyprinidae

Overview

Keep Danionella dracula in a group of at least ten in a mature tank of 40 litres or more at 20 to 26 C with a pH of 6.5 to 7.5 and soft water. Feed tiny foods such as baby brine shrimp, microworm, cyclops, and finely crushed flake. It is far too small for normal tankmates and does best in a quiet species tank or with dwarf shrimp. Gentle filtration and rock-steady water quality are essential.

In the wild

Danionella dracula is a tiny, translucent fish from a few clear streams in northern Myanmar. Like its relatives it keeps a larval-like, see-through body with the spine visible through the skin. It swims in small groups in open water and needs clean, stable, gently moving conditions. It is a delicate specialist rather than a beginner fish.

Good to know

Adult males grow fang-like points on the jaws, which is remarkable because the whole Danionella group otherwise lost its true teeth during its miniaturised evolution. These fangs are not real teeth, since they have no enamel or pulp, and males use them to spar with each other. The fish reaches only about 1.7 cm yet keeps this unique jaw armament, giving it the name dracula.

Did you know

It is one of the smallest vertebrates known to grow anything like teeth, and the males' clear fangs are visible right through their transparent heads.