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.
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.