This species was formerly included in the genus Microrasbora although it’s long-been considered a danionin by certain authors, e.g., Kottelat and Witte (1999) and was placed within the genus Danio for a period.

In the aquarium trade it’s marketed under various names including ’emerald dwarf danio’, ‘thick band purple zebra danio’ and ‘cross-banded dwarf rasbora’.

This species is also referred to as ‘Asian knifefish’ or ‘ghost knifefish’ in the aquarium trade in the aquarium trade but arguably has no place in the ornamental hobby given its adult size and specialised requirements.

It is sometimes confused with the African species Xenomystus nigri but is easily told apart by its larger adult size and presence (vs. absence) of a dorsal fin.