All fish / Danionidae

Shan danio

Devario shanensis

Also known as shan devario, danio shanensis, hikari danio

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A slim, active danio from the hill streams of Shan State, with a silvery to golden body marked by short blue vertical bars towards the front and a horizontal band towards the tail. It is kept for its constant swimming and robust nature in larger community tanks with good water movement.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

7 cm

Temperature

18 to 25 °C

pH

6.5 to 7.8

Smallest tank

120 litres

Keep as

Shoal of 8 or more

Diet

Omnivore: quality flakes and small pellets, plus live or frozen bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

3 to 5 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Myanmar (Shan Plateau, Salween and Irrawaddy drainages)

Breeding

An egg scatterer that gives no parental care and will eat its own eggs. Spawning is fairly straightforward in a separate tank with fine-leaved plants or mesh over the base, with the adults removed afterwards.

Good to know

A fast, boisterous swimmer that can stress slow or long-finned tankmates, and it will jump, so a tight lid is essential. It is often confused with other barred Devario species in the trade.