All fish / Danionidae

Black-barred danio

Danio absconditus

Also known as black barred danio, black-barred danio, danio sp. black barred, hidden danio

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A small, active danio described in 2013 from the hill streams of southern Myanmar, with a silvery to golden body crossed by dark vertical bars and a dark spot near the gill cover. It is kept for its lively shoaling behaviour and hardiness, and suits a well oxygenated community tank with some current.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

4 cm

Temperature

20 to 26 °C

pH

6.5 to 7.8

Smallest tank

60 litres

Keep as

Shoal of 8 or more

Diet

Omnivore: small live and frozen foods such as daphnia, bloodworm and brine shrimp, plus quality flakes and micro pellets

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

3 to 5 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Myanmar (Ataran River drainage, Mon/Kayin)

Breeding

An egg scatterer that spawns readily among fine plants or over a mesh or pebble base, giving no parental care. Adults eat the eggs, so a separate spawning tank or removal of the parents is needed; fry take infusoria then newly hatched brine shrimp.

Good to know

A fast, jumpy swimmer that needs a tight lid and plenty of open swimming space. It may be confused with Danio aesculapii or other barred danios in shipments.