May Featured Fish: Danios

This month’s featured fish is a fairly popular sight in tropical fish tanks. Danios come in several different species, and they’re also one of the main types of fish modified to become Glofish. Danios can be an excellent addition to the home aquarium.

Read on to find out about their personalities and care requirements.

Danios do well in groups

These fish are a small, schooling species, so it’s a good idea to buy several of them to live together in the tank, unlike more solitary fish such as the betta. A minimum of 6 danios per tank is best. Most danios grow to less than two inches, so they don’t take up a lot of space.

If you’re going to put them in a community tank, they tend to be top dwellers that swim near the surface.

Hardy and active

If you’re looking for an entertaining fish, danios may fit the bill. They are active fish that will keep busy in the aquarium. Despite that, they tend not to be aggressive toward other fish.

They’re also wonderful for beginner aquarists because they can survive in a variety of water conditions. You are unlikely to cause much harm if the temperature or pH isn’t just right. That being said, their preferred environment is a pH of between 7.0 and 7.8 and temperatures between 70 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit.

Keeping danios happy

There are a few things you can do to make danios feel at home in the aquarium. First, select a long tank with plenty of swimming room for these active fish (and put a lid on the tank to keep them from jumping out). Second, add a filter that creates a strong current to mimic the rivers of their natural habitats. Third, add tall décor that provides some coverage near the surface, where they like to swim.

For community tanks, it’s a good idea to keep danios with other active fish that like similar environments.