 | Freshwater > Fish > Cyprinidae |
 | | | |  | Danio Aequipinnatus (Giant Danio) |  |  |
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 | Quick Ref. |  | |  Species: Danio Aequipinnatus
| Geo. Location: India, Sri-Lanka
| PH: 6.0 - 7.1
| Temperature: 71 - 77F
| Water Hardness: 5 - 20dh
| Size: 4.5"
| Diet: Flakes, small live foods
| Difficulty: 2
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| | | | | | Notes: Giant Danios (Danio Aequipinnatus) are peaceful and active. Much Bigger than its cousin, the Zebra Danio (Brachydanio Rerio), its shape and attitude are very similar. Giant Danios have to be kept in schools of at least 5 or 6 to prosper. They sometimes school with Zebra Danios and usually get along with other fast swimming fish (fish that will tolerate its activity). Giant Danios are great addition to medium to large community tanks (at least 25 gallon). It is however not recommended to keep this species with bigger slow moving fish as Discus as they will be too active around feeding time. Furthermore, because of their active and playful attitude, they sometimes nip other fish fins and chase them, but never harm them.
Giant Danios have an elongated body with a silver head and bluish stripes interlaced with silver stripes. They own only one pair of barbels (Zebras have two).
Danio Aequipinnatus are fast swimmers, therefore a long tank (at least 36 inches) is recommended. A good filtration is appreciated from these fish as they like water movement. This species is quite hardy (although not as hardy as Zebra Danios) and do great in a neutral PH (7.0). Notorious to be a great jumper, it is strongly recommended to cover the tank with a hood. The tank should be planted with long swimming areas. It is believed that this fish prefers thin dark substrat.
This robust fish is not too difficult regarding its diet. Flakes, blood worms and other kind of live food will do perfectly. It is also a good idea to supply them with vegetable or algae tablet once in a while. For more details about this species see Brachydanio Rerio.
| Breeding: As for Brachydanio Rerio, Danio Aequipinnatus is one of the easiest egg scatterers to breed. These fish is sexually mature when they reach 2.5" and will spawn only when kept in schools. A good ratio for spawning is 2 males for 1 female. A smaller, warmer tank, with lots of plants (Java Moss, Cobomba) is required to breed them (10 gallon, raise temperature to 80F). The conditioning and spawning process is also very similar to the Zebra Danios also we won't describe it here (Click here to learn more about how to breed and condition Danios).
Males are slimmer and usually more colorful than females. The eggs are scattered among plants when the sun rise in the morning. It is therefore a good idea to have your breeding tank to face a window. As soon as the first rays of the sun penetrate the room, you will assist to a chasing ritual between the males and the female. After a couple hours, the female will be ready to spawn and it is a good idea at that time to feed them as they could eat their own eggs. As much as 300 eggs will be scaterred among the plants and it is imperative to remove the parents at that point. Hatching takes approximately 36 hours and the fry should be free swimming after 5 days. The fry will eat baby brine shrimps or microworms as well as commercial liquid/powdered flakes for fry.
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