Common name/s: Giant Danio.
Scientific name: Danio aequipinnatus, formely known as Danio malabaricus.
Family: Cyprinidae
Origin: India, Myanmar, Thailand, Myanmar, Bangladesh and Nepal.
Maximum size: 4" (10cm).
Care: They are not specific about water conditions providing extremes of pH and hardness aswell as the other parameters are avoided. One of the larger species, also an active shoaling fish that needs to be in groups.
Feeding: As with other Danios, it is an insectivore and with an upturned mouth is ideally suited to taking insects from the waters suface. Fortunately for us, they are not fussy about food and will take mainly flake and frozen foods without hesitation.
Sexing and Breeding: Danios are prolific and very easy to breed. Males are slimmer and more intense in colouration than females. Pairs can often be used but most prefer them to shoal spawn. Set-up your breeding tank with Java moss or other suitable substances on the bottom so the fishes can scatter their eggs, but cannot eat them as no parental care is practised. As with barbs ensure they have a good supply of small live foods, starting with infusoria and newly hatched brine shrimp. Make sure the breeding tank is covered as the fishes can be so active that they leap from the water.
Comments: One of the larger species but by no means less attractive with its lovely markings. They make a great addition to any medium sized community in a fast swimming shoal.
