All fish / Danionidae

Rose danio

Danio roseus

Also known as rose danio, pink danio, danio roseus, purple passion danio, danio rosea, ダニオ・ロセウス, 玫瑰斑马鱼

A slim, active danio with a silvery body that takes on a pinkish to violet sheen, and the fins of males often show a reddish tint. It is kept for its lively shoaling behaviour, hardiness and tolerance of cooler water, which makes it a good choice for community tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

4 cm

Temperature

20 to 26 °C

pH

6.5 to 7.5

Smallest tank

60 litres

Keep as

Shoal of 8 or more

Diet

Omnivore: quality flakes and micro pellets with live or frozen daphnia, bloodworm and brine shrimp

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

3 to 5 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Laos, Myanmar and northern Thailand (Mekong and Salween basins)

Breeding

An egg scatterer that gives no parental care and will eat its own eggs. Spawning is easy in a separate tank with fine-leaved plants or mesh over the base, removing the adults after eggs are laid.

Good to know

Very fast swimmers that need a well covered tank, as they can jump. Often confused with Danio albolineatus, which has a more distinct orange and blue lateral stripe.