Edit Devario devario

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Name

Scientific name

Devario devario

Described by

Authority Hamilton, Year 1822, Bracketed

Family

Cyprinidae

Common names

Bengal Danio

Photograph credits

All 7 credited

Summary

The Bengal danio, Devario devario, is a devario from the Ganges and Brahmaputra river systems in northern India, Nepal and Bangladesh. Also…

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

80mm, standard length

Aquarium size

Minimum length 120 cm, Minimum depth 45 cm

Water

Water conditions

Temperature 15–26°C, pH 6–8

Hardness

2–15dGH

Conductivity

Not recorded

Behaviour

Temperament

Peaceful

Community suitability

Community-safe

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Brahmaputra, Ganges, Gomati, Jatinga, Ranga, Siyom, Tuirial

Writing

Etymology

Devario: appears to be derived from a local vernacular name for the type species of the genus Cyprinus (now Devario) devario Hamilton, 1822. devario: as above.

Distribution

No type specimens are known, but Hamilton does mention that the species is common in 'rivers and ponds of Bengal' in his description so it was certainly descri…

Habitat

In a survey conducted in October 1995 in Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal states, northern India, D. devario was recorded at four separate localities of which thr…

Aquarium size

An aquarium with base dimensions of 120 ∗ 45 cm or equivalent should be the minimum considered.

Maintenance

Not difficult to keep in a well-maintained set-up, though we recommend aquascaping the tank to resemble a flowing stream or river with a substrate of variably-…

Water conditions

Not written yet

Diet

Ecological studies have revealed this species to be more of a generalist than its chiefly insectivorous congeners. Aquatic and terrestrial insects form a signi…

Behaviour and compatibility

Not an aggressive fish but may upset slow-moving or timid tankmates with its constant activity and vigorous feeding behaviour, and is therefore most appropriat…

Sexual dimorphism

Sexually mature females should be rounder-bellied, less colourful and a little larger than males.

Reproduction

Like most small cyprinids Devario spp. are egg-scattering free spawners exhibiting no parental care. When in good condition they will spawn often and in a well…

Like most small cyprinids Devario spp. are egg-scattering free spawners exhibiting no parental care.

When in good condition they will spawn often and in a well-planted, mature aquarium it's possible that small numbers of fry may start to appear without intervention.

However if you want to maximise yield a more controlled approach is required.

The adult group can still be conditioned together but a smaller tank with a base measuring at least 60 cm x 30 cm should also be set up and filled with mature water.

This should be very dimly lit and the base covered with some kind of mesh of a large enough grade so that the eggs can fall through but small enough so that the adults cannot reach them. The widely available plastic 'grass'-type matting can also be used and works well, as does a layer of glass marbles.

Alternatively filling much of the tank with a fine-leaved plant such as Taxiphyllum spp. or spawning mops can also return decent results.

The water itself should be of slightly acidic to neutral pH with a temperature towards the upper end of the range suggested above, and an air-powered sponge filter or air stone(s) should also be included to provide oxygenation and water movement.

When the adults are well-conditioned and the females appear gravid one or two pairs should then be introduced.

If ready spawning usually taking place within 24 hours, with the female tending to appear noticeably slimmer after the event, and after 48 hours the adults should be removed whether this is observed or not.

Incubation is temperature-dependant to an extent but typically lasts 24-36 hours with the young free-swimming a few days later.

Initial food should be Paramecium or similar, introducing Artemia nauplii, microworm, powdered dry foods, etc., once the fry are large enough to accept them.

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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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Notes

This species is relatively common in the aquarium trade and is produced on a commercial basis with a selectively-bred 'short-bodied' variant sometimes marketed…

References

10 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