Freshwater fish wiki
Danio Care Guides
Danios are active freshwater schooling fish prized for their movement, resilience and community-aquarium appeal. Their needs vary by species, so use these guides to choose the right tank size, group size and companions.
Species directory
Fish care guides
Choose a species below for care requirements, tank setup, feeding, compatible tankmates and breeding information.
Beginner care
Zebra Danio
Danio rerio
A hardy, fast-moving schooling fish that suits roomy, well-oxygenated community aquariums.
- Adult size
- 4–5 cm / 1.5–2 in
- Minimum tank
- 38 L / 10 gal
Beginner care
Pearl Danio
Danio albolineatus
A shimmering, peaceful danio that needs a longer aquarium and a proper group of its own kind.
- Adult size
- 5–6 cm / 2–2.5 in
- Minimum tank
- 75 L / 20 gal
Beginner to Intermediate care
Celestial Pearl Danio (Galaxy Rasbora)
Danio margaritatus
A small, shy, patterned fish that thrives in a mature, heavily planted nano aquarium.
- Adult size
- 2–2.5 cm / about 1 in
- Minimum tank
- 40 L / 10 gal
Beginner to Intermediate care
Giant Danio
Devario aequipinnatus
A large, powerful schooling fish that needs a spacious, well-oxygenated aquarium and active tank mates.
- Adult size
- 10–15 cm / 4–6 in
- Minimum tank
- 280 L / 75 gal
Beginner care
Glowlight Danio
Danio choprae
A small, brightly striped danio from Myanmar that suits a well-planted school in a modest community aquarium.
- Adult size
- 4–5 cm / 1.5–2 in
- Minimum tank
- 60 L / 15 gal
Intermediate care
Malabar Danio
Devario malabaricus
A large, fast Devario from India and Sri Lanka that needs a long, well-filtered aquarium and active tank mates.
- Adult size
- 8–12 cm / 3–4.7 in
- Minimum tank
- 240 L / 65 gal
Advanced care
Dracula Danio
Danionella dracula
A tiny, translucent microfish from northern Myanmar for calm, mature nano aquariums with gentle tank mates.
- Adult size
- Up to 1.7 cm / 0.7 in
- Minimum tank
- 30 L / 8 gal
Intermediate care
Emerald Dwarf Rasbora
Danio erythromicron
A petite, emerald-striped Lake Inle danio for planted nano schools with stable, hard water.
- Adult size
- 2–3 cm / 0.8–1.2 in
- Minimum tank
- 45–60 L / 12–15 gal
Plan your aquarium
Start with the right tank volume
Danios need adequate horizontal swimming space and should be kept in groups. Use the calculator before planning a new school or community aquarium.
Aquarium volume calculator