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Interrupted danio

Devario interruptus

Also known as Yunnan devario

FreshwaterFish

Interrupted danio (Devario interruptus)

Care at a glance

Temperature
64–77°F
18–25°C
pH
6.5–7.5
Adult size
2.8 in
7 cm
Minimum tank
24 gal
90 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Schooling
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Rare
Family
Danionidae
Origin
Irrawaddy headwaters, Yunnan, China

Overview

The interrupted danio is a peaceful cool-water danio for temperate tanks. It suits a keeper with some experience.

Did you know

The interrupted danio's name sounds like it should describe its flank pattern. It actually points to the lateral line, the row of sensory pores that stops partway along this fish's body instead of reaching the tail.

Caring for the interrupted danio

A group of interrupted danios needs a tank of 24 gal (90 L) or larger. Give them strong flow, high oxygen, rounded stones and gravel, and open swimming water. They can jump, so keep a tight cover on the tank.

Their main requirement is temperature, so keep the heater low or off. Hold the water at 64 to 77°F (18 to 25°C) and a pH of 6.5 to 7.5. Feeding them is simple: quality flake and micro pellets with frozen bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp.

Keep a school of six or more, where they swim tightly and stay active in the middle of the tank. They are peaceful and pair well with other cool, current-loving fish such as white cloud mountain minnows and hillstream loaches. They have no aquarium breeding records.

Good to know

Devario interruptus is a member of the danio family, Danionidae, described by Day in 1870.

In the wild

The interrupted danio lives in cool, clear, swift mountain streams in the Irrawaddy headwaters of Yunnan, in southwest China. The streams run over a bed of cobble and gravel with sparse plants.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The interrupted danio is a 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.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does an interrupted danio need?

An interrupted danio needs at least 24 gal (90 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does an interrupted danio need?

An interrupted danio is comfortable at 64–77°F (18–25°C) with a pH of 6.5–7.5.

What does an interrupted danio eat?

An interrupted danio eats quality flake and micro pellets. Frozen bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp round out its diet.

How big does an interrupted danio get?

An adult interrupted danio reaches about 2.8 in (7 cm).

Does an interrupted danio need a group?

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

Related species