From Aqua Guide, the free encyclopedia
Giant Danio
Devario aequipinnatus
- Temperature
- 18–25 °C
- pH
- 6 – 8
- Min. tank size
- 243 L
- Lifespan
- 5-7 years
- Diet
- omnivore
- Care level
- easy
| Scientific classification | |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name: | Devario aequipinnatus |
| Family: | Cyprinidae |
| Origin: | South Asia (fast hill streams of India and Sri Lanka) |
| Care Characteristics | |
| Care Level: | easy |
| Diet: | omnivore |
| Max Size: | 10.00 cm |
| Water Type: | freshwater |
| Temp Group: | subtropical |
| Temperament: | peaceful |
| Min Group: | 8+ together |
| Varieties: | No cultivated strains of consequence, and a species question instead. The fish traded as giant danios are, according to genetic and morphological data, Devario malabaricus rather than D. aequipinnatus — the two are frequently confused, and both names circulate in shops and books. Both are large Devario from South Asian hill streams with essentially identical requirements, so for a keeper the distinction changes nothing practical. Golden and long-finned selections appear occasionally and are not established. Several other Devario are traded and are worth knowing about for size. The pearl danio, turquoise danio and various smaller Devario stay well under this fish's length; the Bengal danio is comparable. The much smaller Danio species — the zebra danio, leopard danio and celestial pearl danio among them — are a different genus and a different proposition entirely, and none of them need the tank this fish does. |
| Lifespan: | 5-7 years |
Quick Tips
- Bioload:Medium
- Min Tank:243 L
- Substrate:Gravel or sand; planted with lots of open swimming space
- Plant Safe:Plant-safe
- Filtration:Moderate to high (some current; well-oxygenated)
Giant Danio (Devario aequipinnatus) is a species of fish in the family Cyprinidae. It is native to South Asia (fast hill streams of India and Sri Lanka). The giant danio is fast, powerful and — like several fish in this guide — probably labelled with the wrong name. Genetic and morphological data indicate that the fish traded as Devario aequipinnatus actually represent Devario malabaricus, and the two remain frequently confused. We list it under the trade name because that is what people search for. It reaches 80 mm standard length, which is smaller than the "giant" suggests but large for a danio, and it is one of the fastest fish commonly kept — a group covers a two-metre tank in seconds. That speed sets the requirements. The specialist minimum is a 120 × 45 cm base at around 243 litres, and a group of at least eight to ten. It is not aggressive, and it will disturb slow or timid tank mates simply by existing at that pace.
Compatibility
- Temperament
- peaceful
- Keep in
- Groups of 8+
- Swims
- middle
- Fin nipper
- No
- Delicate fins
- No
Species similar to Giant Danio
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