Edit Danio meghalayensis

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Name

Scientific name

Danio meghalayensis

Described by

Authority Sen & Dey, Year 1985

Family

Cyprinidae

Common names

Not recorded

Photograph credits

All 11 credited

Summary

Much of Meghalaya consists of forested hills which receive a great deal of rainfall and many of its waters flow swiftly. This species typic…

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

80mm, standard length

Aquarium size

Minimum length 120 cm, Minimum depth 45 cm

Water

Water conditions

Temperature 16–21°C, pH 6.5–7.5

Hardness

2–15dGH

Conductivity

Not recorded

Behaviour

Temperament

Peaceful

Community suitability

Community-safe

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

India

Writing

Etymology

Danio: from Dhani, a Bengalese vernacular term for small, minnow-like cyprinids. meghalayensis: named for the Indian state of Meghalaya, to which it is conside…

Distribution

So far only known from the East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya State, north-east India. The type series was collected near Umiam Lake, also known as Barapan…

Habitat

Much of Meghalaya consists of forested hills which receive a great deal of rainfall and many of its waters flow swiftly. This species typically inhabits high e…

Aquarium size

Even a small group needs an aquarium with base measurements of 120 ∗ 45 cm or more.

Maintenance

Looks particularly effective in a heavily-planted arrangement with a darker substrate, and may appear paler in sparsely-decorated set-ups. We suggest maintaini…

Water conditions

Temperature: Air temperatures in Meghalaya vary from sub-zero in winter to around 82.4°F/28°C in summer so it's best kept in an unheated tank and tends to stru…

Diet

Probably preys on insects and their larvae in nature. In the aquarium it's largely an unfussy feeder and will accept most foods. A good quality dried product o…

Behaviour and compatibility

Not an aggressive fish but may upset very slow-moving or timid tankmates with its constant activity and vigorous feeding behaviour so can only be considered ap…

Not an aggressive fish but may upset very slow-moving or timid tankmates with its constant activity and vigorous feeding behaviour so can only be considered appropriate for larger tanks containing robust, similarly-sized fishes.

There are plenty of suitable choices including many cyprinids, loaches, cichlids, catfish and characins although as always when selecting a compatible community of fish proper research is essential.

A community based around species from Meghalaya could also include Devario aequipinnatus, Barilius bendelisis, Acanthocobitis botia, Botia dario and Lepidocephalichthys guntea.

It's a schooling species by nature and should be kept in a group of at least 8-10. Maintaining it in decent numbers will not only make the fish less nervous but result in a more effective, natural looking display.

Any aggressiveness will normally also be contained as individuals concentrate on maintaining their hierarchical position within the group, and males will display their best colours in the presence of conspecific rivals.

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Where does this come from?

My own experienceFor example, I've kept twelve in a planted 60 cm tank since March 2024.A website I sawFor example, an IUCN Red List assessment, a museum catalogue or a FishBase page.A paperFor example, Marshall et al. (2011), Water temperature differences in interfluvial palm swamp habitats of Paracheirodon axelrodi and P. simulans.A book, or something not onlineFor example, Tappin (2010), Rainbowfishes: their care and keeping in captivity.Something already on the pageFor example, the Behaviour and compatibility section already says this.

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DOI

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Title

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Authors

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Year

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Pages

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Anything worth adding

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Sexual dimorphism

Mature males are more colourful, noticeably slimmer, and smaller than females, and they possess a greater proportion of red pigmentation in the fins.

Reproduction

Like many small cyprinids this species is an egg-scattering spawner that exhibits no parental care. If the fish are in good condition they should spawn often, …

Notes

This species was considered a form of D. dangila for a number of years until 2004 when full species status was reinstated by Fang. It's since been available in…

References

7 on this profile

Name

Scientific name

Described by

Family

Common names

Photograph credits

Summary

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

Aquarium size

Water

Water conditions

Hardness

Conductivity

Behaviour

Temperament

Social needs

Community suitability

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Writing

Etymology

Distribution

Habitat

Aquarium size

Maintenance

Water conditions

Diet

Behaviour and compatibility

Sexual dimorphism

Reproduction

Notes

References

References