Blue Danio

Care

The Blue Danio is a beautiful peaceful shoaling species ideally suited to community aquaria. They should be kept in groups of 6 or more of their own kind, in a well planted tank maintained at a slightly cooler than average temperature (see above). In the wild, they are said to inhabit small shaded streams and creeks with clear fast-running water. For this reason, the active Danio kerri must be kept in well-filtered and well-oxygenated aquaria, with a decent amount of flow. They will be seen swimming against the current with obvious, natural enjoyment. The aquarium should have a dark substrate, background and décor, and encompass both rooted and floating plant cover, with an open swimming space left in the centre. Lighting should not be too bright. Not recommended for keeping alongside slow-moving fish with elaborate finnage. Can be quite hard to source, but well worth looking out for. May also be seen on sale as Kerr's Danio.

Feeding

Flake, micropellets, small frozen foods such as mosquito larvae, daphnia brineshrimp etc.

Breeding

Danio kerri are egglayers and can be spawned in the same fashion as many other Danio species in a separate breeding aquarium. The tank should be long and shallow and with the temperature set to the higher end of their preferred range. A substrate of marbles and large clumps of Java moss is recommended. Spawning is often triggered by the first rays of morning sunshine hitting the aquarium glass, and once the eggs have been scattered (up to 400) the parent fish should be returned to the main aquarium in order to prevent predation.