Orange-finned Danio (Danio kyathit) Breeding Guide
Breeding Danio kyathit: sexing, conditioning, an egg-trap spawning tank, cool-water trigger and rearing the free-spawned fry.
Overview
Danio kyathit is a Burmese danio that practices egg-scattering with no parental care, per Seriously Fish. In a well-established, densely planted tank fry may appear spontaneously, but controlled breeding yields better results.
Sexing
Sexually mature females are usually rounder-bellied, slightly less colourful and a little larger than males, with the visual difference intensifying as the fish prepare to spawn (Seriously Fish).
Conditioning
Condition the adult group together, then transfer one or two pairs to small spawning containers of 30-40 litres, half-filled (Seriously Fish).
Breeding Setup
- Small 30-40 litre spawning container, half-filled, filled with Java moss, wool mops or a spawning grid (Seriously Fish).
- Slightly acidic to neutral water at the upper end of the species' 16-26 C tolerance.
- An internal power filter directing flow lengthwise, switched to a mature sponge filter for the fry.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Trigger spawning by adding small amounts of cool water over hours and feeding small live and frozen foods, or by performing a large 50-60% water change in the evening. Multiple spawning cycles occur before females are spent (Seriously Fish).
Egg & Fry Care
Remove adults immediately on spotting eggs, as they consume them. Incubation usually takes 24-36 hours with the young free-swimming a few days later, and Artemia nauplii or similar serves as a first food (Seriously Fish).
Common Challenges
As with other danios, egg predation is the main obstacle, addressed by spawning media and prompt adult removal. Maintaining a series of spawns until the females are spent helps maximise the fry yield.