All fish / Danionidae

Barred Danio

Devario pathirana

Also known as barred danio, pathirana danio, nilwala danio, pathirana's danio

A slim, active danio with a silvery body crossed by dark vertical bars towards the front, a blue-green sheen and yellowish fins. Keepers value it as a lively, rarely seen shoaling fish for well-oxygenated, flowing tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

5.5 cm

Temperature

22 to 26 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

100 litres

Keep as

Shoal of 8 or more

Diet

Omnivore: quality flakes and granules, live or frozen daphnia, bloodworm and brine shrimp

Swims

Top of the tank

Lifespan

3 to 5 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Sri Lanka (Nilwala River basin)

Breeding

An egg scatterer that spawns over fine-leaved plants or gravel and gives no parental care. Most aquarium stock is captive bred, so spawning is quite achievable in a separate tank with the adults removed after spawning.

Good to know

Listed as Critically Endangered in the wild with a tiny range in Sri Lanka, so buy only captive-bred fish. It jumps readily, so a tight lid is essential.