Zebra Danios Types: Top 13 Most Popular Species
With its striking black and white stripes, the zebra danios are a fast-moving fish that reaches lengths of up to 4 cm. Zebra danios are found in freshwater ponds, lakes, and rivers throughout the world but can be easily identified by their stripes. What’s even more interesting is that this species has different types that are all good additions to your fish tank!
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Most Common Types of Danio
1. Dwarf Spotted Danio (Danio nigrofasciatus)
This danio reaches lengths of about 1.5 inches and is one of the smallest types of zebra danios. It’s a shy fish that prefers to live in small groups. They have black and white stripes on their body, with some having more stripes than others. They have a spotted pattern on their body and their scales are smaller than those of other danio species. Dwarf spotted danios also have slightly different coloration, with brown spots on a light background. These fish are good for small tanks as they are not too big or small for their environment and can live peacefully with other species in your tank.
2. Giant Danio (Devario aequipinnatus)
A giant danio is a bit larger than the dwarf spotted danio and can reach lengths of about 4 – 6 inches. They have bold stripes on their body, often with a light blue or yellow tint to them. These fish are usually solitary but can be kept in small groups if you’re looking for an interesting tank addition. They get along well with other species of fish and are considered to be aggressive only towards other giant danios – so they make a good choice for fish with other tankmates that they are familiar with.
3. Pearl/Golden Danio (Danio albolineatus)
The pearl danio is a bit different than the other types of zebra danios. They have smooth golden scales with yellow and white stripes running down their sides and back and fins that are almost transparent. However, they do have some bright colors on their undersides that can be seen when they swim in water lightened up by reflections off of objects above them – making them look like little pearls! These fish reach lengths of about 2.6 inches and are usually peaceful towards other tankmates but can be territorial if they feel their space is threatened. They do best in smaller tanks and are not as active as some of the other types of danio.
4. Rosy Danio (Danio roseus)
The rosy danio is yet another variation on the zebra danio theme and can be easily identified by its red fins, body, and tail. Like the pearl danio, they have smooth scales with no stripes but unlike the other two types of danio, their underside is bright orange or yellow. These fish are active swimmers that enjoy plenty of swimming space – making them good candidates for a larger tank. They reach lengths of about 1.2 inches and are considered to be a good choice for beginner fish keepers because they are easy to care for, don’t require a lot of food, and aren’t as aggressive as some other types of danio.
5. Longfin Leopard Danio (Danio rerio `frankei’)
The longfin leopard danio is another option if you’re looking for a zebra danio that is a bit different. They have elongated fins and bodies that give them an overall look of being taller than they are wide. Like the other types of danio, they have smooth scales but their stripes are much more pronounced – giving them an appearance similar to a leopard print. These fish reach lengths of about 2.25 inches and usually do well in larger tanks, although they are less active than some of the other types of danio.
6. White Cloud Mountain Minnow (Tanichthys albonubes)
Also known as China danio or Canton danio, the white cloud mountain minnow is a common fish found in many home aquariums. They are small, averaging only about 1.5 inches long, and have a silvery-white body with some dark spots along their sides. They are peaceful but can be territorial if they feel they have space to themselves. These fish do best in a community tank with other smaller aquatic species that they can share food with – such as dwarf Corydoras or terrestrials.
7. Zebra Danio (Danio rerio)
The zebra danio is the most popular type of danio and can be found in nearly every home aquarium. They are brightly colored, with a black body, white stripes down its back, and bright blue fins. They are active swimmers that need plenty of space to swim and playmaking them good candidates for a large tank. They reach lengths of about 2 inches and are considered to be moderate-maintenance fish. Like all danio, they enjoy eating various types of food but should be supplemented with flake or pellet feed as well.
8. Celestial Danio (Danio margaritatus)
The celestial danio is a rare type of danio that can only be found in a tiny portion of Hopong near Inle Lake in Myanmar. They are similar in appearance to the zebra danio but have much brighter coloration, with an iridescent sheen on their bodies. They are not as commonly available as other types of danio and may be more expensive to buy if you find them for sale. They are best suited for an intermediate to a high-level aquarium and should be kept with other more aggressive fish that can keep them company.
9. Glowlight Danio (Danio choprai)
The glowlight danio is a recently developed type of danio that is similar in appearance to the zebra danio but with even brighter coloration. They are available only as a breeding pair and may be hard to find, although they have been spotted online. If you do spot one for sale, expect to pay quite a bit more than other types of danio. These fish are best suited for an advanced aquarium and should not be kept with fish that are not tolerant of strong light.
10. Blue Danio (Danio kerri)
The blue danio is one of the most popular types of danio and can be found in many hobbyists’ tanks. They are easy to care for and have a lively nature that makes them good candidates for a small tank or home aquarium. They reach lengths of about 2 inches but may be smaller in some cases and should not be kept with other aggressive fish. Their diet should consist primarily of live, frozen, or prepared foods but they will also eat small flake food.
11. Malabar Danio (Devario malabaricus)
The Malabar danio is a rare type of danio that came from the west coast of India and Sri Lanka. They are similar in appearance to the zebra danio but have duller coloration and a more mottled pattern on their bodies. The Malabar danio has a dark green body with bronze or gold highlights running down its sides. Like other types of danio, they should not be kept with aggressive fish species and require specialized care if you want to keep them healthy. They are best suited for an aquarium that is at least 20 gallons in size and has a varied diet that includes live, frozen, or prepared foods.
12. Gold Ring Danio (Brachydanio tinwini)
The gold ring danio is a relatively new type of danio that was first spotted in Myanmar. They are quite different from other types of danio and can be difficult to spot in stores. The gold ring danio has a bright yellow body with black speckles running across it. They reach lengths of about 1.2 inches but may be smaller in some cases and should not be kept with other aggressive fish species. Like most types of danio, they should have a diet that includes live, frozen, or prepared foods. They are best suited for an aquarium that is at least 20 gallons in size and has a varied diet.
13. Bengal Danio (Devario devario)
The Bengal danio is a type of danio that is native to India and Bangladesh. They are similar in appearance to the zebra danio but have smaller scales and more distinct yellow spots and coloration on their body. The Bengal danio has an olive-green body with reddish-brown highlights running down its sides. They are not typically considered to be popular pet fish but may be kept by some if they have the proper space and care.
