TankBud

Meghalaya danio

Danio meghalayensis

Also known as Meghalaya moustached danio, Brilliant danio

FreshwaterFish

Meghalaya danio (Danio meghalayensis)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
64–75°F
18–24°C
pH
6.5–7.5
Adult size
2.4 in
6 cm
Minimum tank
24 gal
90 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Schooling
Swim level
Middle
Diet
Omnivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Rare
Family
Danionidae
Origin
Meghalaya plateau streams, northeast India

Overview

The Meghalaya danio is a peaceful but lively cool-water danio for a community of active fish. It is best kept by someone past the beginner stage.

Did you know

The Meghalaya danio's status has wandered back and forth, tied to and separated from the moustached danio more than once.

Caring for the Meghalaya danio

A group of Meghalaya danios needs a river-style tank of 24 gal (90 L) or larger, with steady current. Give them a substrate of sand and gravel and plenty of open swimming space. They can jump, so fit a tight lid.

Keep the tank unheated or lightly heated, and avoid steady tropical warmth. Aim for 64 to 75°F (18 to 24°C) and a pH of 6.5 to 7.5. Feed a varied omnivore diet of flake, micro pellets and frozen foods to hold their pearl-striped colors.

Keep a school of six or more, where they stay in constant motion across the middle of the tank. They can be a little pushy at feeding time, so keep them with other active, sturdy fish rather than tiny or slow, long-finned species. No aquarium breeding has been recorded for them.

Good to know

Danio meghalayensis is a member of the danio family, Danionidae, and a close relative of the moustached danio, Danio dangila. Sen and Dey described it in 1985 and named it for Meghalaya. This catalog lists it as a species in its own right.

In the wild

The Meghalaya danio lives in cool plateau streams of Meghalaya in northeast India, at some altitude among hills that catch the monsoon. The water there is clear, flowing and rich in oxygen.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The Meghalaya 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 Meghalaya danio need?

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

What temperature and pH does a Meghalaya danio need?

A Meghalaya danio is comfortable at 64–75°F (18–24°C) with a pH of 6.5–7.5.

What does a Meghalaya danio eat?

A Meghalaya danio is an omnivore that eats a varied diet of flake, micro pellets and frozen foods. That mix holds its pearl-striped colors.

How big does a Meghalaya danio get?

An adult Meghalaya danio reaches about 2.4 in (6 cm).

Does a Meghalaya danio need a group?

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

Related species