TankBud

Spotted danio

Danio nigrofasciatus

Also known as Dwarf danio

FreshwaterFish

Spotted danio (Danio nigrofasciatus)
David M, Parichy · CC BY 4.0

Care at a glance

Temperature
64–79°F
18–26°C
pH
6.0–7.5
Adult size
1.5 in
3.7 cm
Minimum tank
15 gal
55 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Schooling
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Easy
Breeding
Egg scatterer · Medium
Rarity
Common
Family
Cyprinidae
Origin
Myanmar

Overview

The spotted danio is a small, hardy schooling fish for a community tank. It is a good first fish.

Did you know

For a long time, the spotted danio was thought to be just a variant of the zebra danio. The two look and act so much alike that they will even hybridize. It was later confirmed as a separate species.

Caring for the spotted danio

Keep spotted danios in a school of at least six in a tank of 15 gal (55 L) or more. They are fast, active swimmers in the middle and upper water, so give them some current and open swimming space.

They take a wide range of conditions but prefer soft, slightly cool, well-oxygenated water. They handle cooler water than many tropical fish, so they suit an unheated or lightly heated room tank. Keep them at 64 to 79°F (18 to 26°C) and a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. Feed quality flakes, small pellets and occasional brine shrimp or bloodworms.

Spotted danios stay peaceful in a proper group, but they get nervous and nippy when kept in small numbers. They are egg scatterers with no parental care, and the eggs hatch in about two days. Breeding them is moderately difficult.

Good to know

The spotted danio, Danio nigrofasciatus, is a small cyprinid in the same family and genus as the zebra danio. Its pattern mixes rows of spots with horizontal striping along the lower body. It is not considered threatened, though local habitat loss is a concern.

In the wild

Spotted danios come from clear, shallow streams and rivers in Myanmar. These waters have moderate flow, plants and submerged rocks. The water is soft and runs from slightly acidic to neutral.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The spotted 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 spotted danio need?

A spotted danio needs at least 15 gal (55 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a spotted danio need?

A spotted danio is comfortable at 64–79°F (18–26°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

What does a spotted danio eat?

A spotted danio eats quality flakes and small pellets, with occasional brine shrimp or bloodworms.

How big does a spotted danio get?

An adult spotted danio reaches about 1.5 in (3.7 cm).

Does a spotted danio need a group?

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

How does a spotted danio breed?

Spotted danios scatter their eggs and give them no parental care. The eggs hatch in about two days, and breeding them is moderately difficult.

Related species