GloFish Zebra Danio (Green) Care Guide
A green-fluorescent transgenic zebra danio expressing a fluorescent-protein gene; care matches the wild Danio rerio.
Overview
The green GloFish zebra danio is a transgenic line of the zebrafish, Danio rerio. Its green fluorescence derives from a green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene that was originally extracted from a jellyfish. The first fluorescent zebrafish were produced from 1999 at the National University of Singapore, and the lines reached the aquarium trade in late 2003. Care is the same as for the wild form.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cyprinidae
- Genus: Danio
- Scientific name: Danio rerio (transgenic GloFish line)
- Wild form described by: F. Hamilton, 1822
Habitat
The parent zebrafish is native to South Asia (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan), concentrated in the Ganges and Brahmaputra river basins. It occupies moderately flowing to stagnant clear shallow water in streams, canals, ditches, oxbow lakes, ponds and rice paddies. The transgenic line is captive-bred.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 60 L
- Temperature: 18-26 °C (64-79 °F)
- pH: 6.5-7.8
- GH: 5-15 °dGH
- School size: at least 6 individuals
- Lifespan: 3-5 years
Provide a long, well-oxygenated aquarium with moderate flow. The zebrafish tolerates a wide temperature range, with wild records spanning roughly 16.5 to 34 °C.
Diet
The zebrafish is omnivorous, feeding mainly on small aquatic invertebrates in the wild. In captivity it readily takes dried foods plus small live or frozen items such as Daphnia, Artemia and bloodworm.
Compatibility
It is a peaceful shoaling fish best kept in groups of six or more, occupying mid-water and remaining active and fast. Pair it with robust community fish of similar size; avoid slow, long-finned species whose fins may be nipped.
Breeding
Danio rerio is an egg-scattering, asynchronous spawner that can spawn frequently. Females release hundreds of eggs per clutch and provide no parental care.