TankBud

Lake Inle danio

Devario auropurpureus

Also known as Inlecypris auropurpurea, Barilius auropurpureus, Purple danio

FreshwaterFish

Lake Inle danio (Devario auropurpureus)
Elizabeth Barrett / animal.photos · Used with permission

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

The Lake Inle danio is a fast, peaceful schooling fish for the middle of a cool-water tank. It is easy to keep.

Did you know

The Lake Inle danio is one of a small group of fish found nowhere on earth except Inle Lake. It does best in the cool, hard water that many keepers struggle to use for typical tropicals.

Caring for the Lake Inle danio

Keep Lake Inle danios in a group of at least eight, in a tank of 24 gal (90 L) or more. They are fast, active swimmers that want length and a tight lid.

Give them cool, slightly alkaline water at 64 to 77°F (18 to 25°C) and a pH of 7.0 to 8.0. Feed flakes and micropellets, with frozen foods such as daphnia and bloodworm.

Lake Inle danios are peaceful and pair well with other cool-water fish that like harder, alkaline water. Males show a purple and gold sheen along the flank, and the color deepens as they mature in a well kept tank. Breeding them is a moderate challenge.

Good to know

The Lake Inle danio belongs to the family Cyprinidae and is listed under several names, including Inlecypris auropurpurea and Barilius auropurpureus. It is still widely traded as Devario auropurpureus. It shares its cool, alkaline lake with the red dwarf rasbora. The species takes its name from the purple and gold of its males.

In the wild

The Lake Inle danio lives 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.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The 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.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

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.

What does a Lake Inle danio eat?

A Lake Inle danio eats flakes and micropellets, along with frozen foods such as daphnia and bloodworm.

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.

How can you tell a male Lake Inle danio from a female?

Males carry a purple and gold sheen along the flank. It grows deeper as a male matures in a well kept tank.

Related species