Gold Ring Danio

The gold ring danio is a small Myanmar danio that first entered the trade as Danio sp. "Gold Ring" and was then scientifically described. Its golden-yellow body is covered with dark spots arranged in regular rows; its fins are yellowish and carry small spots.

It grows to about 3 cm. It is smaller and calmer than the zebra danio, so it can easily be kept in planted nano aquariums and small community setups. It is hardy and easy to feed.

It lives in the Kachin region of northern Myanmar, in small streams in the upper Irrawaddy basin and in the shallow, vegetated pools that form along their edges. The water is clear, close to neutral and cool depending on the season. In the aquarium it is enough to recreate this with a layout that has planted edges, clean water and gentle flow; no special water preparation is needed.

• Volume: at least 54 liters and 60 cm length for a school of 8–10.
• Water: 21–25°C, pH 6.5–7.5, moderately hard water.
• Plants: dense planting along the edges, open space in the middle; floating plants soften the light.
• Flow: gentle to moderate.
• Lid: it jumps; use a lid.

Omnivorous with a small mouth. It accepts small granules and fine flakes; supplement with frozen brine shrimp, cyclops and daphnia. It takes food mostly from the surface and midwater; since it shows little interest in food that falls to the bottom, clean up leftovers with bottom dwellers or a siphon. Two small meals a day are enough.

Peaceful and active. It moves through the middle and upper layers as a school; males spread their fins at each other and engage in brief chases. It ignores other species.

Good companions: Other small danios, kubotai rasboras, Boraras species, small tetras, dwarf corydoras species, otocinclus, Neocaridina shrimp.

Avoid: Large and predatory species, any fish whose mouth it fits into, species that need warm water.

At least 8, ideally 12 or more individuals. In a large group the fish are bolder and swim in the open; kept in small numbers they remain skittish. The male-to-female ratio is not critical, but having slightly more females spreads out the males' chasing.

It scatters its eggs among moss and fine-leaved plants; there is no parental care and the eggs are eaten. A well-fed group spawns easily in a separate tank with plenty of moss; the adults are removed after a few days. The fry are fed infusoria and then newly hatched brine shrimp.

• Temperature: staying above 26°C for long periods weakens the immune system; prefer cool, oxygen-rich water.
• Jumping: the most common cause of losses in an uncovered aquarium.
• Water quality: a 25% water change every week is enough; put new fish through a short quarantine.

Males are slimmer; their body and fins are a more intense golden yellow. Females have fuller bellies and are slightly paler.