Blue Danio

The blue danio is a close relative of the zebra danio and has a similar build. Its body is steel blue, with two thin golden-yellow stripes running along the sides. It grows to about 5 cm. It comes from small streams in southern Thailand and northern Malaysia. It is not seen in the trade as often as the zebra and pearl danios, but it is just as hardy and easy to keep.

• At least 60 liters and 60–70 cm in length for a school of 6–10.
• 22–25°C, pH 6.5–7.5, moderately hard water.
• Gentle to moderate current, high oxygen.
• Plants along the sides, open space in the middle; a lid is essential since it jumps.

Omnivorous. It readily accepts flakes and small granules; vary the diet with frozen brine shrimp, daphnia and mosquito larvae. It takes most of its food from the surface.

Peaceful but fast and active. As a school it constantly moves through the upper layer; males chase the females and each other. Its speed can bother very slow species with flowing fins.

Good companions: other danios, rasboras, barbs, small and medium-sized tetras, corydoras, kuhli loaches, loaches.

Avoid: slow and shy species, bettas, large predators.