Lake Inle danio
Devario auropurpureus
Also known as Inlecypris auropurpurea, Barilius auropurpureus, Purple danio
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 64–77°F
- 18–25°C
- pH
- 7.0–8.0
- Adult size
- 3.1 in
- 8 cm
- Minimum tank
- 24 gal
- 90 L
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Schooling
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Breeding
- Medium
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Cyprinidae
- Origin
- Endemic to Inle Lake and its surrounding waters in the Shan hills of Myanmar.
Overview
Keep Lake Inle danios in a group of at least eight in a tank of 90 litres or more, with cool, slightly alkaline water at 18 to 25 C and a pH of 7.0 to 8.0. They are fast, active swimmers that want length and a tight lid. Feed flakes, micropellets, and frozen foods such as daphnia and bloodworm. They are peaceful and pair well with other cool-water fish that like harder, alkaline water.
In the wild
The Lake Inle danio is found only in and around Inle Lake, a cool, high lake in the Shan hills of Myanmar. It forms fast shoals in open midwater in slightly alkaline conditions. Males show a purple and gold sheen along the flank that gives the species its name. Like other Inle fish it prefers cool water rather than tropical warmth.
Good to know
This danio is listed under several names, including Inlecypris auropurpurea and Barilius auropurpureus, though it is still widely traded as Devario auropurpureus. It reaches about 8 cm and comes from the same cool, alkaline lake as the red dwarf rasbora. Its color deepens to purple and gold in mature, well kept males.
Did you know
It is one of the small group of fish found nowhere on earth except Inle Lake, and it does best in the cool, hard water many keepers struggle to use for typical tropicals.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
Lake Inle 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.
Siamese flying barb
Laubuka siamensis
Freshwater2.6 in (6.5 cm) · 24 gal (90 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
Apple snail
Pomacea canaliculata
Freshwater5.9 in (15 cm) · 21 gal (80 L)64–81°F (18–27°C)
Dwarf hoplo
Lepthoplosternum pectorale
Freshwater2.6 in (6.5 cm) · 24 gal (90 L)68–75°F (20–24°C)
Green swordtail
Xiphophorus hellerii
Freshwater5.9 in (15 cm) · 24 gal (90 L)68–82°F (20–28°C)
Banded lampeye
Aplocheilichthys spilauchen
FreshwaterBrackish2.8 in (7 cm) · 21 gal (80 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Twin-stripe lizard loach
Homaloptera bilineata
Freshwater3.1 in (8 cm) · 24 gal (90 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a Lake Inle danio need?
A Lake Inle danio needs at least 24 gal (90 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does a Lake Inle danio need?
A Lake Inle danio is comfortable at 64–77°F (18–25°C) with a pH of 7.0–8.0.
How big does a Lake Inle danio get?
An adult Lake Inle danio reaches about 3.1 in (8 cm).
Does a Lake Inle danio need a group?
Yes. A Lake Inle danio is a schooling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.
Related species
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)
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)
2.4 in (6 cm)24 gal (90 L)70–79°F (21–26°C)Barred danio
Devario pathirana
2.4 in (6 cm) · 24 gal (90 L)
5.1 in (13 cm)48 gal (180 L)64–77°F (18–25°C)Malabar danio
Devario malabaricus
5.1 in (13 cm) · 48 gal (180 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)
3.1 in (8 cm)24 gal (90 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)Ablabes barb
Enteromius ablabes
3.1 in (8 cm) · 24 gal (90 L)