Leopard Danio (Danio Rerio)
The Leopard Danio is a very hardy, friendly, peaceful and attractive fish. They make a great addition to any community aquarium, especially alongside other Danio species, suitable for any fish keepers level.
This fish is a colour morph of the Zebra Danio and displays a lovely golden brown metallic colour dotted with greyish-blue spots. They have a barbel at the end of each lip. A long-finned version of this fish has been developed that sports long, flowing fins and an extended tail. In both forms, they are eye-catching active fish.
Leopard Danio Variants
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Danio Rerio |
| Other Names | None |
| Family | Cyprinidae |
| Genus | Danio |
| Origins | India |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Aquarium Level | Middle |
| Difficulty | Beginner - Intermediate |
| Shoaling | Yes |
| Best kept as | Groups 6+ |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Reproduction | Egg-Scatterer |
| Lifespan | 3 - 5 years |
| Water Parameters | |
|---|---|
| Water Type | Freshwater |
| PH | 6.5 - 7.5 |
| GH | 6 - 16 |
| Temperature | |
| 65 - 80℉ 18.3 - 26.7℃ | |
Natural Habitat
The Leopard Danio originates from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.
They inhabit fresh, still water in the lower reaches of ponds, streams, ditches, and canals, usually containing rocky substrate and shaded areas with silty, dense vegetation.
Their habitats depend on the time of year. You will find them in large numbers in rice paddies and seasonal pools in the wet season, where they will feed and spawn.
After this, the adults will migrate back to the faster moving waters in which the young will follow them once they have reached maturity.
Other Danios of interest
What to feed the Leopard Danio
Leopard Danios require a balanced diet that includes pelleted or flake foods, plant-based foods, and occasional live, freeze-dried and frozen food.
Because these fish are so active, they have high nutrient requirements, so choose foods that will provide them with this and feed them several times a day.
How to Sex the Leopard Danio
Males are thinner and have a streamlined body shape, and their colours are more intense than females, whereas mature females are plumper and much duller than males.
How to Breed the Leopard Danio
Breeding Leopard Danios is relatively easy. You will need a breeding tank with shallow water, plenty of fine-leaved plants such as java moss or equivalent. A spawning mesh or pebbles on the bottom of the tank also works well, as this will allow eggs to fall through and be protected from the adults who will happily eat their eggs.
The most reliable way to obtain a mating couple would be to start with half a dozen or so young Leopard Danios in the tank and allow them to choose their mates.
It is a good idea to raise the breeding tank's temperature by a few degrees higher than what they usually have, and this will trigger spawning.
Once spawning is completed, the female will lay a few hundred eggs on the plants or the substrate, and the male will fertilise them. At this point, you should remove the parents to avoid losing the eggs.
After about two days, the eggs will hatch into tiny fry, and a few days after that, you will see them emerging.