GloFish Zebra Danio (Red) Care Guide
A red-fluorescent transgenic zebra danio carrying a coral-derived gene; care is identical to the wild Danio rerio.
Overview
The red GloFish zebra danio is a genetically modified line of the zebrafish, Danio rerio. Its red fluorescence comes from a fluorescent-protein gene originally obtained from a sea coral and inserted into the fish. The original transgenic zebrafish were developed from 1999 at the National University of Singapore, and fluorescent lines reached the aquarium market in late 2003. Husbandry is identical to that of 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 species is native to South Asia, including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan, mainly in the Ganges and Brahmaputra basins. It lives in moderately flowing to stagnant clear shallow water of streams, canals, ditches, oxbow lakes, ponds and rice paddies. Wild water is neutral to slightly basic. The transgenic line itself is bred in captivity for the aquarium trade.
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
A long, well-oxygenated aquarium with moderate flow suits this active swimmer. The zebrafish tolerates a broad temperature range (recorded in the wild from about 16.5 to 34 °C).
Diet
The zebrafish is omnivorous; in nature its diet consists chiefly of small aquatic invertebrates. In the aquarium it accepts dried foods supplemented with small live or frozen items such as Daphnia, Artemia and bloodworm.
Compatibility
It is a peaceful, social shoaling fish that does best in groups of six or more. It occupies the middle of the water column and is active and fast-moving. Suitable companions are other robust, similarly sized community fish; long-finned, slow species can have their fins nipped and are less suitable.
Breeding
Danio rerio is an egg-scatterer and an asynchronous spawner able to breed frequently, with females releasing hundreds of eggs per clutch over plants or substrate. No parental care is given.