TankBud

Rakhine danio

Devario xyrops

Also known as Razor-eye devario, Blue moon danio

FreshwaterFish

Rakhine danio (Devario xyrops)
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
3.7 in
9.5 cm
Minimum tank
29 gal
110 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Schooling
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Easy
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Rare
Family
Danionidae
Origin
Rakhine Yoma streams, southwestern Myanmar

Overview

The Rakhine danio is a hardy, mid-sized devario for a long tank, and an easy one to keep.

Did you know

The name xyrops means razor-eye. It points to a sharp-edged bony margin around the eye. In the living fish, that margin shows as a bright blue blade of color across the face.

Caring for the Rakhine danio

House a group of Rakhine danios in a long tank of 29 gal (110 L) or larger. Their size and pace need room to move. Give them brisk, well-oxygenated water with some current. Leave open water, and use dark decor to show off their markings.

They tolerate a wide temperature band, from 68 to 79°F (20 to 26°C), with a pH of 6.5 to 7.5. They eat almost anything offered, including flake, pellets and frozen or live foods.

Keep at least six, since they swim in tight, restless shoals. They spend the day patrolling the middle of the tank and remain peaceful. They are fast and always hungry, so they suit other active, similarly sized fish better than slow or timid ones. Home breeding is not recorded, though as egg-scattering danionins they would likely spawn in the usual way given the chance.

Good to know

Devario xyrops is a member of the family Danionidae, described in 2009. It is also traded under the name blue moon danio.

In the wild

The Rakhine danio lives in small, clear streams on the western slope of the Rakhine Yoma in southwestern Myanmar. This cooler foothill water shrinks in the dry season to a chain of connected pools.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The Rakhine 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 Rakhine danio need?

A Rakhine danio needs at least 29 gal (110 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a Rakhine danio need?

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

What does a Rakhine danio eat?

A Rakhine danio eats almost anything offered, including flake, pellets and frozen or live foods. It is fast and always hungry.

How big does a Rakhine danio get?

An adult Rakhine danio reaches about 3.7 in (9.5 cm).

Does a Rakhine danio need a group?

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

How does a Rakhine danio breed?

Rakhine danios have no recorded home breeding. As egg-scattering danionins, they would likely spawn in the usual way given the chance.

Related species