TankBud

Giant danio

Devario aequipinnatus

FreshwaterFish

Giant danio (Devario aequipinnatus)
Faucon · CC BY-SA 2.5

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–81°F
22–27°C
pH
6.0–7.5
Adult size
5.9 in
15 cm
Minimum tank
50 gal
190 L
Temperament
Aggressive
Social behavior
Schooling
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Egg scatterer · Easy
Rarity
Common
Family
Cyprinidae
Origin
Pakistan, India, Bangladesh

Overview

The giant danio is a fast, active schooling fish for the middle of a large tank. It suits a keeper with a little experience.

Did you know

Giant danios have the speed and stamina to work as dither fish. Their confident movement in open water can coax shy or skittish species out of hiding.

Caring for the giant danio

Keep giant danios in a school of at least six, since in smaller numbers they get nippy and stressed. Give them a long tank of 50 gal (190 L) or more, with open swimming lanes. The length matters more than the height, because these fish want to cover ground. A startled school will jump, so they need a tight-fitting lid.

Keep the temperature at 72 to 81°F (22 to 27°C) and the pH at 6.0 to 7.5, and give them brisk water movement. They are unfussy eaters that take flake, pellets and frozen or live foods.

Giant danios are fast, sometimes boisterous mid-water swimmers, and they can be aggressive. Their energy can bully timid or slow tank mates, so choose companions with caution and pair them with similarly active fish. They are egg scatterers that breed readily, depositing eggs among plants with no parental care.

Good to know

Devario aequipinnatus is a cyprinid in the family Cyprinidae, and it is large for a danio. It is a hardy, active species, which is part of why it stays popular. Captive-bred stock is widely available for the same reason.

In the wild

Giant danios come from fast, clear hill streams in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, with a strong current and well-oxygenated water. They are strong swimmers built for that flow.

Common questions

What size tank does a giant danio need?

A giant danio needs at least 50 gal (190 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a giant danio need?

A giant danio is comfortable at 72–81°F (22–27°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

What does a giant danio eat?

A giant danio is an unfussy eater that takes flake, pellets and frozen or live foods.

How big does a giant danio get?

An adult giant danio reaches about 5.9 in (15 cm).

Does a giant danio need a group?

Yes. A giant danio is a schooling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.

How does a giant danio breed?

Giant danios are egg scatterers that deposit their eggs among plants and give no parental care. They breed readily.

Related species