Turquoise Danio

Danio kerri

Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii›Cypriniformes›Danionidae

📍 Peninsular Thailand & Malaysia

Slender danio with a stunning turquoise-blue lateral stripe running the full body length. Peaceful and fast-moving. Often overlooked in favour of zebra danios, but far more visually striking in a planted tank.

Size2"

Min Tank20g

School6+

peaceful

Zonemid

Care Guide

Diet

Turquoise Danios are omnivores that thrive on a varied diet of high-quality flake foods, micro pellets, and small frozen foods like brine shrimp and daphnia. Feed small amounts once daily, offering only what they can consume in 2-3 minutes. Occasional vegetable matter such as blanched spinach or algae wafers supports digestive health.

Behavior

These are active, fast-moving schooling fish that constantly patrol the mid-water column in darting movements. They are peaceful and social, requiring a group of at least 6 individuals to feel secure and display natural schooling behavior. They may nip at slow-moving or long-finned fish, so tank mates should be similarly active and robust.

Breeding

Breeding Turquoise Danios in captivity is possible but requires specific conditions including slightly cooler temperatures (20-22°C), dense vegetation, and spawning mops or fine-leaved plants. They are egg-scatterers that show no parental care; eggs typically hatch in 24-36 hours. Separating fry to a nursery tank with infusoria or liquid fry food is necessary for survival.

Tank Mates

Zebra Danio

Similar size, activity level, and water requirements; compatible schooling behavior

excellent

Glowlight Danio

Closely related species with matching temperament and habitat needs

excellent

Emerald Dwarf Rasbora

Peaceful mid-water swimmer with similar size and temperature preferences

good

Otocinclus

Peaceful algae eater that occupies bottom zone and won't compete with danios

good

Rummy Nose Tetra

Active schooling fish with compatible water parameters and peaceful nature

good

Red Cherry Shrimp

May be viewed as food by danios; only suitable if tank is heavily planted for shrimp refuge

caution

Common Diseases

Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis)

Symptoms

White spots on body and fins, flashing against objects, rapid breathing, lethargy

Treatment

Raise temperature gradually to 28-30°C, perform daily 25% water changes, use aquarium salt (1 tsp per gallon) or commercial ich treatment; treat for 7-10 days

Fin Rot

Symptoms

Frayed or disintegrating fin edges, white or black margins on fins, lethargy

Treatment

Improve water quality with frequent partial water changes, remove any sharp tank decorations, use antibacterial medication if severe; ensure good filtration

Columnaris (Cotton Mouth Disease)

Symptoms

White or grayish film on mouth and body, loss of appetite, difficulty breathing

Treatment

Isolate affected fish immediately, treat with antibacterial medication, maintain pristine water conditions, increase aeration; this is highly contagious

Dropsy

Symptoms

Swollen abdomen, scales standing out like a pinecone, lethargy, loss of appetite

Treatment

Isolate fish, perform frequent water changes, feed high-quality foods with added vitamins; prognosis is poor; may be caused by bacterial infection or poor water quality