The Panther Danio is known from small, shallow, clearwater forest streams with moderate current and a substrate of rocks, pebbles, and gravel. Here there is little aquatic vegetation, although leaf litter is fairly abundant. These streams swell and increase in velocity during the rainy season, and in dryer months, some populations have been discovered inhabiting small pools that have been cut off from the main streams. In the home aquarium, Panther Danios should be maintained in groups of at least 6 specimens (and preferably more wherever space allows) due to their tightly shoaling nature. The aquarium itself should be a minimum of 3ft long and it should be well-filtered and well-oxygenated in order to replicate the clean, cool mountain streams in which this active species is typically found. The back and sides of the aquarium could be planted with robust species which can adapt to a moderate level of water movement, and an open swimming space left in the centre of the tank. The substrate should consist of fine sand or smooth rounded gravel, with cobbles, flat rocks and pieces of driftwood added in to create that stream bed effect. Dried Indian Almond leaves (Terminalia catappa) could also be added to the calmer regions of the aquarium. Panther Danios are an excellent choice of "dither fish" in those aquariums housing Hillstream and Brook Loaches, Hara spp., Erethistes spp., Garra spp., Laguvia spp., Psilorhynchus spp., small torrent catfish etc. Not suitable for keeping alongside fancy long-finned fish. Ensure that your tank has tight fitting coverslides as this species is an expert jumper. The etymology of this Danio species is rather interesting - it was named aesculapii after the ancient Greek god of medicine, Aesculapius, who was equipped with a staff with one or two snakes wrapped around it, in allusion to the snakeskin-like pattern on the flanks of these fish, visible in a subtle rainbow of colours when they catch the light. May also be seen on sale as Danio sp. 'pantheri'.
Feeding
Flake, micropellets, small frozen foods such as daphnia, cyclops, baby brineshrimp, white mosquito larvae, and mini bloodworm.
Breeding
Danio aesculapii 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, plastic grass matting, or large clumps of Java moss is recommended. A small mature power filter should be added, creating uni-directional flow down the tank, but be sure to protect the filter intake with a fine sponge to stop eggs from being drawn in. Spawning is often triggered either by the first rays of morning sunshine hitting the aquarium glass, or when carrying out a cool partial water change. Once the eggs have been scattered, the parent fish should be returned to the main aquarium in order to prevent predation. The eggs should hatch within 36 hours (although this will be temperature dependent) and the fry will become free swimming 72 hours later, at which point they can be offered tiny foodstuffs such as infusoria or finely powdered fry food, moving on to baby brineshrimp (Artemia nauplii) and microworm as they grow.
