Care
The Orange-finned Danio was thought to naturally occur in two distinct colour morphs. Only the one with moderate sized dark spots all over the body is now kyathit, whereas the other 'morph' sports dark horizontal stripes above the lateral line, with dark spots below it. This striped fish is now described as D. quagga, in honour of the now extinct zebra relative known for its modest stripe pattern. Fish in breeding condition often develop intense orangey-red coloured finnage.
The aquarium should be maintained at a sub-tropical temperature, and although these fish will adapt to quite a wide range of conditions, they will be seen at their best in softer, slightly acidic water. In the wild, they are said to inhabit small shaded streams with clear-brown fast-running water. For this reason, Danio quagga 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 be well planted at the back and sides, with an open swimming space left in the centre. Lighting should not be too bright. Orange-finned Danios are a peaceful shoaling species, and as such, must be maintained in groups of 6 or more fish of their own kind. They make great "˜dither fish"™ in aquariums housing temperate current-loving fish such as many of the hillstream loaches and torrent catfish. May also be seen on sale as the Orange-finned or Kyathit Danio.
Feeding
Flake, micropellets, small frozen foods such as mosquito larvae, daphnia, and brineshrimp.
Breeding
An easy-to-breed egg scattering species that should be bred in a separate aquarium with a substrate of marbles and large clumps of Java moss. The parents should be acclimatised back to the main aquarium after spawning has ceased, in order to prevent them predating on the eggs. The eggs usually take 3 or 4 days to hatch, depending on temperature.
