Glowlight Danio (Danio choprae) Care Guide
Danio choprae is a small Burmese danio from Kachin State with gold and blue bands, kept as a peaceful schooling fish.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Danio choprae, the glowlight danio, is one of the smallest danios, reaching about 25-30 mm standard length. It comes from northern Myanmar and is a peaceful schooling fish. In some recent classifications it has been placed in the genus Celestichthys (as Celestichthys choprae).
Taxonomy
- Family: Cyprinidae
- Genus: Danio (also placed in Celestichthys)
- Scientific name: Danio choprae
- Common synonym: Celestichthys choprae
Habitat
It is native to small rocky streams of the Mogaung Chaung river system in Kachin State, northern Myanmar, favouring small hill streams with gravel and rock substrates. Field measurements at a collection site recorded a temperature near 24.8 °C and pH around 7.6.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 60 L
- Temperature: 22-26 °C (72-79 °F)
- pH: 6.5-7.5
- GH: 5-15 °dGH
- School size: at least 6 individuals (8-10 recommended)
- Lifespan: 3-5 years
An active species, it benefits from a tank of generous footprint and moderate filter flow. Larger groups help spread out any low-level rivalry among males.
Diet
In the wild it preys chiefly on insects and their larvae. In the aquarium it is unfussy, accepting most foods; a varied diet of quality dried products plus small live or frozen items such as bloodworm, Daphnia and Artemia keeps it in good condition.
Compatibility
It is a generally peaceful community fish best kept in groups of at least 8-10. Males can be mildly aggressive when establishing dominance, and nipped fins may occur among subordinates, but this does not usually extend to other species. Suitable companions are other small, peaceful danios and bottom dwellers such as Corydoras.
Breeding
It is an egg-scattering spawner with no parental care. Fry may appear spontaneously in densely planted tanks, while controlled breeding uses mesh-bottomed containers to protect the eggs. Mature females are rounder-bellied, less colourful and slightly larger than males.
Glowlight Danio (Danio choprae) Breeding Guide
Overview
Danio choprae is a small Burmese danio that, per Seriously Fish, is an egg-scattering spawner exhibiting no parental care. Spontaneous spawning may occur in mature, densely planted aquaria, though controlled breeding yields better results.
Sexing
Females are rounder-bellied, less colourful and a little larger than males, with colour intensifying in males and egg-filling becoming apparent in females during spawning condition (Seriously Fish).
Conditioning
Condition pairs together, then introduce one or two pairs per container and feed small amounts of live and frozen foods to bring them to spawning condition (Seriously Fish).
Breeding Setup
- Small 10-15 litre containers, half-filled and very dimly lit (Seriously Fish).
- A mesh that lets eggs fall through but blocks adult access, or plastic grass matting or Java moss.
- Slightly acidic to neutral water at the upper end of a 16-26 C range (warmer preferred).
- An initial small powerhead directed lengthwise, switched to a mature sponge filter after egg-laying to protect fry.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Spawning is induced by adding cool water gradually and feeding small live and frozen foods; pairs typically spawn the following morning, scattering eggs that fall through the egg trap (Seriously Fish).
Egg & Fry Care
Incubation is about 72 hours (temperature-dependent) and the fry become free-swimming a couple of days post-hatch. First food is Paramecium or a 5-50 micron proprietary dry food, progressing to Artemia nauplii and microworm as the fry grow (Seriously Fish).
Common Challenges
Egg predation by the adults is the main risk, so an egg trap and prompt removal are needed. The very small first foods required during the first days are the other key hurdle for new breeders.