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Maximum size : 10 cm
Giant Danio - Devario aequipinnatus : Complete Fish Profile & Care Guide
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Introduction
The remarkable Giant Danio, (Devario aequipinnatus) is a highly active and placid species that is sure to make a delightful addition to any aquarium. As the largest member of the danio family, it necessitates a sizeable tank with ample swimming space. It is highly recommended to employ a tight-fitting lid to secure the tank as these fish have an affinity for jumping. These charming creatures tend to thrive in groups of five or more and make a fantastic inclusion in a spacious community tank, particularly if other large fish species are present. Giant Danios exhibit minimalistic requirements, necessitating an aquarium that is spacious, equipped with clean, well-oxygenated water. To cater to their needs, a tank capacity of at least 30 gallons is recommended, with an additional emphasis on a minimum length of 36 inches to allow them to move around freely. These dynamic swimmers display a preference for water currents, and as such, providing adequate water flow within the aquarium can further enhance their swimming experience. In terms of aesthetics, the Giant Danio is a true beauty, possessing a sleek, torpedo-shaped body with an iridescent blue hue that reflects a mesmerizing pale blue-green backdrop as it darts about with ease. The body is adorned with stunning gold spots and stripes that run lengthwise from the gills to the tail, while the fins are clear and gray and boast a rounded shape, with the tail fin being distinctively forked.Giant Danio Photos
Sexual Dimorphism
Distinguishing between male and female Giant Danios can pose a challenge due to the subtle distinctions between the sexes. Generally, females exhibit a larger physical size, a more convex abdominal region, more fragmented golden stripes, a less vibrant coloration, and a relatively less prominent lower jaw when compared to their male counterparts.Quick Facts
| Scientific Name | Devario aequipinnatus |
|---|---|
| Year Described | 1839 |
| Other Names | Golden Giant Danio |
| Classification | Actinopterygii |
| Order | Cypriniformes |
| Family | Cyprinidae |
| Genus | Devario |
| Origins | Pakistan Nepal Bangladesh Myanmar Cambodia Thailand |
| Max Size | 10 cm |
| Temperament | Semi-Aggressive |
| Aquarium Level | Middle - Top |
| Difficulty | Beginner - Intermediate |
| Shoaling | No |
| Best kept as | Groups 5+ |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Reproduction | Egg-Scatterer |
| Lifespan | 5 plus years |
Water Parameters
| Water Type | Freshwater |
|---|---|
| PH | 6.0 - 8.0 |
| GH | 5 - 19 |
| KH | |
| TDS |
| ℉ | 72 - 81 |
|---|---|
| ℃ | 22.2 - 27.2 |
Natural habitat
The Giant Danio is endemic to the Indian subcontinent and most of Indochina. From the rugged hills of Nepal and the vibrant waters of Pakistan to the lush forests of Myanmar and the exotic lands of Cambodia and northern Thailand, the Giant Danio can be found inhabiting fast-flowing streams and ponds throughout the region. One of the most remarkable features of the Giant Danio's natural habitat is its preference for shaded, clear water with a gravel or sandy substrate. This unique habitat preference allows them to thrive in a variety of challenging environments, adapting to changing conditions with ease and resilience. Join us as we explore the incredible beauty and diversity of the Giant Danio and discover the secrets of their remarkable adaptability and resilience in the face of changing environments. Whether kept as a prized aquarium species or observed in the wild, the Giant Danio is sure to capture your heart and imagination with its stunning beauty and unique behaviour.\r\nHow to breed the Giant Danio
Giant Danios present a high level of convenience in terms of their breeding, and the juvenile offspring are relatively easy to rear. To initiate breeding, it is advisable to employ a spacious tank that is exposed to natural daylight, which can serve as a spawning trigger. It is imperative to maintain warm water conditions with a low pH level and to provide fine-leaved vegetation such as java moss, or alternatively, a spawning mop. Conditioning of the breeder pair should involve live and frozen foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia, or mosquito larvae. During the breeding phase, each pairing can produce up to 20 eggs, with spawning activities persisting until all the eggs are evenly distributed across the vegetation. The removal of the breeding pair is crucial immediately after egg-laying, as they may consume the eggs and fry. The eggs will typically hatch within 24 to 36 hours, while the fry become free-swimming roughly 48 hours after hatching. Infusoria or powdered food should be provided as feed for the fry until they attain adequate size to accept freshly hatched brine shrimp.Diet & feeding
Giant Danios exhibit a notable degree of versatility in terms of their dietary preferences, accepting a diverse array of consumables ranging from flakes, granules, freeze-dried, frozen, and live foods. Provision of live foods such as mosquito larvae, bloodworm, brine shrimp, chopped earthworms, and daphnia can enhance their vibrant coloration. In the absence of live meals, frozen food varieties can serve as viable substitutes. Incorporation of vegetable flakes in their feedings can contribute to a balanced and optimal diet.Frequently asked questions
Giant Danios inhabit fast-flowing clear rivers and streams amongst hills at altitudes up to 1000 feet above sea level. Their substrate is typically gravel; they prefer water with a pH of between 6 and 8, water hardness between 5 and 19 GH, and a temperature range somewhere between 72 and 81 degrees Fahrenheit.
Giant Danios can grow to a maximum length of 10 to 15 cm, making them one of the largest species in the Danio family.
Giant Danios have iridescent gold bodies contrasted with steel-blue coloured stripes and spots moving lengthwise from the gills to the tail. Their fins are rounded and pale gold colour, and the tail fin is forked. You can find this species in several colour variations, with the more common being an albino form.
Giant Danios are omnivores that will accept a broad range of foods. Offer you fish good quality dried food such as flakes and granules alongside live and frozen fare such as brine shrimp, bloodworms, mosquito larvae or daphnia. However, if live or frozen foods are not available, you can substitute them with freeze-dried food.
Due to their size, you should not keep giant Danios with smaller fish species as they can swallow them. However, medium to large species such as Cichlids and Barbs, as well as larger bottom-dwelling fish, make excellent tankmates for Giant Danios. It would be best if you avoided Slow-moving, long-finned fish such as Bettas or Angelfish. Giant danios should always be kept in schools of six, preferably more; otherwise, fewer numbers regularly result in aggressive behaviour towards one another and other fish.
It is pretty easy to sex Giant Danios. Males usually have brighter colouring and are slimmer than females, and they also have straight stripes, whereas females stripes bend upwards at the tails base. In addition, the female's stomachs are usually plumper and more rounded than males.
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