TankBud

Moustached danio

Danio dangila

Also known as Moustache danio, Danio deyi, Mustache Danio

FreshwaterFish

Moustached danio (Danio dangila)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

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
63 gal
240 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Schooling
Swim level
Top
Difficulty
Easy
Breeding
Medium
Rarity
Rare
Family
Cyprinidae
Origin
Found in streams, ponds, and flooded fields across northeastern India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Myanmar.

Overview

The moustached danio is a peaceful schooling fish that swims near the top of a roomy community tank. It is easy to keep.

Did you know

Older moustached danios develop a subtle gold and blue net pattern on their flanks.

Caring for the moustached danio

Keep moustached danios in a group of at least six, in a tank of 63 gal (240 L) or more. They are large, fast, active swimmers. They are one of the few danios big enough to work as a centerpiece shoal in a bigger community tank. Fit a tight lid, because they jump.

Cooler water suits them, at 68 to 79°F (20 to 26°C) with a pH of 6.5 to 7.5. Feed flakes, pellets and frozen foods.

Moustached danios are peaceful toward fish of similar size, but they will eat dwarf shrimp and fry. They are too large and quick for a nano tank. Breeding them is a moderate challenge.

Good to know

Danio dangila is the largest true Danio, and it keeps a pair of long barbels that many smaller danios lack. Those barbels at the mouth give the fish its moustache name. 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. Adults carry a dark blotch behind the gill.

In the wild

The moustached danio lives in still and slow-flowing waters across the eastern Himalayan foothills, from clear hill streams to seasonal pools. It is found in streams, ponds and flooded fields across northeastern India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Myanmar. It swims in loose shoals in the upper water.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The moustached danio is a peaceful, schooling species that keeps to the top. 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 moustached danio need?

A moustached danio needs at least 63 gal (240 L). It spends most of its time in the top.

What temperature and pH does a moustached danio need?

A moustached danio is comfortable at 68–79°F (20–26°C) with a pH of 6.5–7.5.

What does a moustached danio eat?

A moustached danio eats flakes, pellets and frozen foods, and it will also eat dwarf shrimp and fry.

How big does a moustached danio get?

An adult moustached danio reaches about 5.1 in (13 cm).

Does a moustached danio need a group?

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

Related species