Bengal Danio (Devario devario) Care Guide
Devario devario is a tall-bodied South Asian danioin reaching about 10 cm, an active schooler suited to large aquariums.
Overview
Devario devario, the Bengal danio, was described by F. Hamilton in 1822. It is a tall-bodied danioin cyprinid that reaches a maximum length of about 10 cm (4 in). It is an active fish sometimes kept in community aquaria by hobbyists.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cyprinidae (also placed in Danionidae)
- Genus: Devario
- Scientific name: Devario devario
- Described by: F. Hamilton, 1822
Habitat
It is found in rivers, ponds and fields in a subtropical climate across Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 150 L
- Temperature: 18-26 °C (64-79 °F)
- pH: 6.5-7.8
- GH: 5-18 °dGH
- School size: at least 6 individuals
- Lifespan: 5-8 years
Wikipedia reports a captive-care range of pH 6.0-8.0, hardness 5-19 °dGH and temperature 15-26 °C, broadly consistent with the values above. As a large, active devario it needs a long aquarium with plenty of swimming room.
Diet
Its natural diet includes annelid worms, small crustaceans and insects. In the aquarium it accepts a varied omnivorous diet of dried, live and frozen foods.
Compatibility
It is an active schooling fish suited to larger community tanks. Keep it in a group of at least six with robust companions of comparable size; its activity may unsettle very small or timid species.
Breeding
The species is oviparous (egg-laying). Like other devarios it scatters eggs and provides no parental care.