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.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
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.
Bengal Danio (Devario devario) Breeding Guide
Overview
Devario devario is a tall-bodied South Asian danioin reaching about 70-80 mm in standard length. It is an egg-scattering free spawner with no parental care, and when in good condition it spawns often; in a well-planted, mature aquarium small numbers of fry may appear without intervention.
Sexing
Sexually mature females should be rounder-bellied, less colourful and a little larger than males. The distinction is clearest in well-conditioned adults.
Conditioning
Condition the adults together on a varied diet until females are visibly gravid, then select one or two pairs for the spawning tank.
Breeding Setup
Use a spawning tank with a base of at least 60 by 30 cm, kept very dimly lit. Cover the base with a mesh of a grade large enough for eggs to fall through but small enough that the adults cannot reach them. Keep the water slightly acidic to neutral with the temperature toward the upper end of the range (around 26 C), and add a sponge filter or air stone for aeration.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
If the fish are ready, spawning usually takes place within 24 hours, with the female appearing noticeably slimmer afterwards. Eggs are scattered freely and fall through the mesh out of reach.
Egg & Fry Care
Remove the adults after spawning. Incubation lasts 24-36 hours with the fry free-swimming days later. Start the fry on Paramecium, then progress to Artemia nauplii and powdered foods as they grow.
Common Challenges
Egg loss to the parents and starvation of tiny first-feeding fry are the main hurdles. A mesh-bottom egg trap, prompt removal of adults, and a prepared supply of microscopic first foods address both.