Giant Danio (Devario aequipinnatus) Care Guide
The largest commonly available danio species, reaching up to 12 cm. Has a torpedo-shaped body with iridescent blue and yellow horizontal stripes.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Devario aequipinnatus is a species in the family Cyprinidae. The largest commonly available danio species, reaching up to 12 cm. Has a torpedo-shaped body with iridescent blue and yellow horizontal stripes. Extremely active and a strong swimmer that requires a large tank with a secure lid as it is prone to jumping.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cyprinidae
- Genus: Devario
- Scientific name: Devario aequipinnatus
- Origin: South Asia, India, Sri Lanka
Habitat
Native to the western coast of India and Sri Lanka, in fast-flowing, clear hill streams. The largest commonly kept danio, it is a powerful, active swimmer that occupies the upper water column in large shoals.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 150 L
- Temperature: 22-26 °C
- pH: 6-8
- GH: 5-19 °dGH
- Water flow: strong
- Adult size: 8-12 cm
- Lifespan: 3-5 years
- Recommended group size: ≥ 6
- Difficulty: beginner
Diet
Classified as omnivore. Recommended feeding frequency: 2x daily. In captivity, offer a varied diet appropriate to the species — quality prepared foods supplemented with frozen or live items of suitable size.
Compatibility
- Temperament: peaceful
- Swimming level: top
- Compatible tank mates: Rosy Barb, Tiger Barb, Bristlenose Pleco, Corydoras
- Avoid with: Small Nano Fish, Betta, Slow Fish
Breeding
- Breeding strategy: egg-scatterer
- Breeding difficulty: intermediate
Giant Danio Breeding Guide (Devario aequipinnatus)
Overview
The Giant Danio (Devario aequipinnatus) is an egg-scattering cyprinid that deposits its eggs among vegetation and provides no parental care. It is among the larger commonly kept danios, and spawning can be induced in the aquarium by manipulating temperature and simulating rain.
Sexing
Females are larger than males and have a more rounded abdomen, a difference that becomes clearer as a female fills with eggs.
Conditioning
Condition the breeding pair on live and frozen foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia and mosquito larvae before spawning.
Breeding Setup
- Provide a spacious, well-lit spawning tank; natural daylight can act as a trigger.
- Include fine-leaved plants in clumps for the female to scatter eggs into.
- Temperature 22-27 C (72-81 F), pH 6.0-8.0, hardness 5-19 dGH.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Spawning can be induced by raising the water temperature and creating artificial rain. A male ready to spawn chases the female and rams her abdomen with his head. The female scatters around 300 eggs in a single spawning into clumps of plants.
Egg & Fry Care
Because the adults will eat the eggs and fry, remove the breeding pair immediately after egg-laying. Eggs hatch within about 24-36 hours and the fry become free-swimming roughly 48 hours after hatching. Start the fry on infusoria or a liquid fry food, then move on to microworms and finely crushed flakes as they grow. Juveniles begin to resemble adults after about 65 days.
Common Challenges
The main difficulties are protecting the eggs from being eaten by the parents and supplying food small enough for the newly free-swimming fry.