Moustached danio

Danio dangila

Also known as Moustache danio, Danio meghalayensis, Danio deyi

FreshwaterFish

Moustached danio (Danio dangila) — Robert Mintern · Public domain

Care at a glance

Temperature: 68–79°F (20–26°C)
pH: 6.5–7.5
Adult size: 5.1 in (13 cm)
Minimum tank: 32 gal (120 L)
Temperament: Peaceful
Social behavior: Schooling
Swim level: Top
Difficulty: Easy
Breeding: Medium
Rarity: Rare
Origin: Found in streams, ponds, and flooded fields across northeastern India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Myanmar.
Family: Cyprinidae

Overview

Keep moustached danios in a group of at least six in a tank of 120 litres or more, since they are large, fast, active swimmers. Cooler water suits them, around 20 to 26 C with a pH of 6.5 to 7.5, and a tight lid is a must because they jump. Feed flakes, pellets, and frozen foods, and note that they will eat dwarf shrimp and fry. They are peaceful toward similar sized fish but too large and quick for a nano tank.

In the wild

The moustached danio lives in a range of still and slow-flowing waters across the eastern Himalayan foothills, from clear hill streams to seasonal pools. It is the largest of the true danios and swims in loose shoals in the upper water. A dark blotch behind the gill and a faint network pattern mark the adult body. Long barbels at the mouth give the fish its moustache name.

Good to know

Danio dangila is the largest true Danio, reaching about 13 cm, and it keeps a pair of long barbels that many smaller danios lack. It has been recorded under several names, including Danio meghalayensis and Danio deyi, which are now treated as the same fish. Its broad range across the eastern Himalayas means wild populations vary a good deal in pattern.

Did you know

It is one of the few danios large enough to work as a centerpiece shoal in a bigger community tank, and older fish develop a subtle gold and blue net pattern on the flanks.