Malabar danio
Devario malabaricus
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 64–77°F
- 18–25°C
- pH
- 6.0–7.5
- Adult size
- 5.1 in
- 13 cm
- Minimum tank
- 48 gal
- 180 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Schooling
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Egg scatterer · Medium
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Cyprinidae
- Origin
- India
Overview
The Malabar danio is a fast, energetic schooling fish for a long community tank. It is best with a little experience.
Did you know
The Malabar danio takes its name from the Malabar Coast of southwestern India, the river laced region where it was first found. It looks so much like several relatives that the scientific name has been misapplied for years. Fish sold as this species are not always the same thing.
Caring for the Malabar danio
Give Malabar danios a tank of 48 gal (180 L) or larger, for the length they need to swim. Use a good current, a substrate of sand and rounded gravel, and water worn stones and driftwood. Plant the sides and back with hardy species and keep a long central channel open, since they spend the day swimming rather than hiding. A secure lid matters, because they are accomplished jumpers.
They handle a fairly wide range of 64 to 77°F (18 to 25°C), with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. They are not fussy eaters and readily take flake, pellets, and frozen or live foods.
Keep a group of at least six, and more if space allows, since a larger group keeps them calm and reduces any nipping. They race through the middle and upper water. Malabar danios are mostly peaceful, but their speed and size can unsettle small or slow tank mates. Pair them with other active, robust community fish.
They are egg scatterers that do not guard their eggs. They can be bred in a dedicated tank with moderate effort.
Good to know
Devario malabaricus belongs to the family Cyprinidae and is one of the larger danios in the hobby. It is a slim, silvery fish crossed by blue and gold horizontal stripes and bars along the flanks. It is built for constant, fast swimming.
In the wild
The Malabar danio is native to the hill streams and rivers of the Western Ghats in southwestern India. It lives in clear, flowing, well oxygenated water, and its range extends into Sri Lanka.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
The Malabar danio is a mostly 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.
Guppy
Poecilia reticulata
FreshwaterBrackish2.4 in (6 cm) · 10 gal (38 L)64–82°F (18–28°C)
Bolivian ram
Mikrogeophagus altispinosus
Freshwater3.1 in (8 cm) · 45 gal (170 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Yoyo loach
Botia almorhae
Freshwater6.3 in (16 cm) · 42 gal (160 L)66–81°F (19–27°C)
Forest halfbeak
Hemirhamphodon pogonognathus
Freshwater3.5 in (9 cm) · 34 gal (130 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Sailfin cory
Scleromystax macropterus
Freshwater3.5 in (9 cm) · 44 gal (165 L)64–70°F (18–21°C)
Striped panchax
Aplocheilus lineatus
Freshwater4.3 in (11 cm) · 30 gal (115 L)72–77°F (22–25°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a Malabar danio need?
A Malabar danio needs at least 48 gal (180 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does a Malabar danio need?
A Malabar danio is comfortable at 64–77°F (18–25°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.
What does a Malabar danio eat?
A Malabar danio is not a fussy eater and readily takes flake, pellets, and frozen or live foods.
How big does a Malabar danio get?
An adult Malabar danio reaches about 5.1 in (13 cm).
Does a Malabar danio need a group?
Yes. A Malabar danio is a schooling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.
How does a Malabar danio breed?
Malabar danios are egg scatterers that leave their eggs unguarded. Breeding them takes a dedicated tank and moderate effort.
Related species
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)
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)
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)
3.1 in (8 cm)24 gal (90 L)64–77°F (18–25°C)Lake Inle danio
Devario auropurpureus
3.1 in (8 cm) · 24 gal (90 L)
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)
5.1 in (13 cm)53 gal (200 L)64–79°F (18–26°C)Beijiang barb
Acrossocheilus beijiangensis
5.1 in (13 cm) · 53 gal (200 L)