All fish / Badidae

Dario dayingensis

Dario dayingensis

Also known as dayingensis badis, daying dario, chinese dario, ダリオ・ダイインゲンシス, 大盈江鲈, 大盈江小鲈

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A tiny badid from the hill streams of western Yunnan, with males showing reddish vertical bars and bright fin edging while females are plainer. It is kept by nano and biotope enthusiasts who enjoy its bold display behaviour in a small, densely planted tank.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

2.5 cm

Temperature

18 to 25 °C

pH

6.5 to 7.5

Smallest tank

30 litres

Keep as

One male with several females, or a group in a larger planted tank

Diet

Carnivore: live and frozen foods such as daphnia, cyclops, brine shrimp and grindal worms; rarely accepts dry food

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

2 to 4 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Upper Irrawaddy basin (Daying River drainage), Yunnan, China

Breeding

Males claim small territories among plants and display to females, with eggs scattered or laid in cover and given little parental care. Breeding is fairly easy in a heavily planted species tank, but the very small fry need infusoria and microworms.

Good to know

Males can be territorial with each other, so give plenty of cover, and avoid fast or large tankmates that will outcompete it for live food. Rarely traded and easily confused with Dario dario or D. hysginon.