Leopard Danio
Leopard Danio, scientific name Danio rerio, belongs to the Cyprinidae family. A bright, easily recognizable fish, one of the most popular varieties of Danio Rerio. It does not occur in nature, it is the result of crossing two related species. Where this morphological type was first bred is not known for certain, there are several versions: India, Thailand and even Czechoslovakia. The fish has inherited high endurance and unpretentiousness, which allows us to recommend it to beginner aquarists.
Habitat
Leopard Danio is not found in natural reservoirs, we will breed artificially as a result of crossing closely related species.
Requirements and conditions:
- The volume of the aquarium – from 40 liters.
- Temperature – 18-24°C
- Value pH — 6.0–8.0
- Water hardness – soft to medium hard (5-19 dGH)
- Substrate type – dark fine gravel or sand
- Lighting – subdued
- Brackish water – no
- Water movement – moderate
- Size – up to 6 cm.
- Food – any food floating on the surface
- Life expectancy – from 3 to 4 years
Description
The fish has a small slender body (no more than 6 cm), compressed from the sides. Like most cyprinids, there are short antennae at the end of each lip. There is a subspecies with long spreading fins and an elongated caudal fin. The color is golden or brown with numerous blue spots all over the body, at a certain angle of incidence of light, the spots cast a metallic sheen.
Food
An omnivorous species, consumes all types of live, frozen and dry industrial feed. Danio leads an active lifestyle, so nutrition should be balanced and varied. Dry food should be alternated with live food (for example, bloodworms). An important condition is that the food must be floating, the fish feeds from the surface.
Maintenance and care
Fish require clean water with a moderate flow, this can be achieved by installing a powerful filter that will ensure both purification and circulation of the water. The lighting is not too bright. Under intense light, the color of the fish may become dull. Mandatory weekly partial replacement of water with fresh water.
The design recommends the use of fine gravel or sand as a substrate and a large number of aquatic plants located in groups along the walls of the aquarium to save space for swimming.
Leopard Danio is suitable for keeping together with moving fish of similar size. For sluggish fish, they can cause concern with their activity. Very large and especially carnivorous species
It is recommended to maintain a group size of at least 5 individuals. With fewer Danios, they try to include other aquarium neighbors in their game, many will not like it. During the games there are often “chase” and harmless fights that never lead to injury.
Breeding / breeding
Danio, like his relatives, are easily bred in captivity. Before spawning, the fish form a pair. It should be deposited in a separate tank. The female starts first, she is larger than the male and has a rounded abdomen, the male joins every other day.
The minimum volume of a single tank is 20 liters. Soil 4-5 cm thick, consisting of large pebbles or glass balls with a diameter of about 1 cm. Several plants in pots diversify the appearance. Of the equipment, an aerator or a simple airlift filter is enough. The obchny filter can suck in eggs and fry.
When the couple is in a separate tank, add a couple of glasses of cold water, this is an imitation of the rainy season, which stimulates the start of spawning. The female releases the eggs into open water and the male fertilizes them. Sinking to the bottom, the eggs roll between pebbles or balls, which saves them from being eaten by their own parents. At the end of spawning, the couple is returned to the common aquarium. The fry appear after 7 days.
Diseases
Despite artificial selection, the species has retained the endurance of ordinary Rerio, therefore, diseases are not observed under favorable conditions. When conditions worsen, the outer integument of the body is primarily affected by fungal and bacterial infections. For more information on symptoms and treatment methods, see the Aquarium Fish Diseases section.
