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Choosing a Danio Species for Your Aquarium

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Updated 07/20/20

Danios are a hardy, lively family of fish that do well in cooler water, making them suitable for unheated tanks. Here are some of the popular Danio species, so you can consider which one would be a good fit for you. Links within each species provide more detailed information on that particular fish.

Illustration of popular Danio species — Illustration: The Spruce / Emilie Dunphy

01 of 06

Dwarf Spotted Danio

Choy Heng-Wah

Scientific Name: Danio nigrofasciatus
Also Known As: Dwarf Danio, Spotted Brown, Spotted Danio
Adult Size: 2 inches (4.5 cm), usually much smaller
Lifespan: 3 years
Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallon
pH: 6.5-7.0
Hardness: 5 - 12°dGH
Temperature: 74-82° F (24-28°C)
Tankmates: Schooling fish, keep only with other small species

Smaller than its cousin the popular Zebra Danio, this pretty little danio rarely is larger than an inch and a half, making it suitable for smaller tanks. They enjoy lots of plants and dimmer lighting. A small, live planted tank would look stunning with a school of this species.
02 of 06

Giant Danio

Faucon/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 2.5

Scientific Name: Devario aequipinnatus
Adult Size: 4 inches (10 cm)
Lifespan: 5+ years
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallon
pH: 6.8-7.5
Hardness: to 20°dGH
Temperature: 72-75°F (22-24°C)
Tankmates: Peaceful, but keep with larger fish

Giant Danios can reach four inches when they are adults and should be kept only with larger species. Due to their size, they are best kept in medium to large tanks. A school of Giant Danios is quite suitable for many cichlid tanks.
03 of 06

Pearl Danio

Sc99cs/Wikimedio Commons/Public Domain

Scientific Name: Danio albolineatus
Also Known As: Spotted Danio
Adult Size: 2 inches (6 cm)
Lifespan: 5 years
Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallon
pH: 6.5 - 7.0
Hardness: 5-12°dGH
Temperature: 64-74°F (18-24°C)
Tankmates: Peaceful, compatible with all species

Pearl Danios have been a popular staple in the aquarium industry for over 100 years. Pearls can be added to almost any community aquarium and they are tolerant of a wide range of water conditions and live agreeably with most species of fish. Like other danio species, keep them in schools of at least four or more.
04 of 06

Rosy Danio

Choy Heng Wah

Scientific Name: Danio roseus
Also Known As: Purple Haze Danio, Purple Passion Danio, Rose Danio
Adult Size: 1.25 inches (3.2 cm)
Lifespan: 4 years
Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallon
pH: 6.0 - 7.5
Hardness: 2-15°dGH
Temperature: 68-77°F (20-25°C)
Tankmates: Suitable for any small peaceful species

Only recently sold in the aquarium trade, this attractive species is becoming quite popular. They are peaceful and hardy, making them a great option for community aquariums.

Continue to 5 of 6 below.
05 of 06

White Cloud Mountain Minnow

Besjunior / Getty Images

Scientific Name: Tanichthys alboneubes
Also Known As: Canton Danio, Chinese Danio, White Cloud, White Cloud Mountain Fish
Adult Size: 1.5 inches (4 cm)
Lifespan: 5+ years
Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallon
pH: 6.0 - 8.0
Hardness: 5-20°dGH
Temperature: 64-72°F (18-22°C)
Tankmates: Suitable for any small peaceful fish

White Clouds are often referred to as the poor mans Neon Tetra and they are very hardy and easy to keep. It's not hard to see why, as a healthy, well-conditioned specimen is very attractive. They like cool water and do very well in unheated tanks, making them good candidates for smaller aquariums.
06 of 06

Zebra Danio

NERYX / Getty Images

Scientific Name: Danio rerio
Also Known As: Striped Danio, Zebra Fish
Adult Size: 2 inches (6 cm)
Lifespan: 5 years
Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallon
pH: 6.5 - 7.0
Hardness: 5-12°dGH
Temperature: 64-74°F (18-24°C)
Tankmates: Can be kept with all species

Easily the most recognizable of the danio family, Zebras are also the most popular of their family. They are very active and get along with virtually all other species of fish. An interesting factoid about Zebra Danios: They are very loyal to their mates and stay with them for life. Usually, if they lose their mate, they will not choose another. Like White Clouds, they tolerate cooler temperatures well and can be kept in an unheated tank.

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