Devario
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| Devario | ||||||||||||||
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 Giant danio, Devario aequipinnatus
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| Cyprinus devario Hamilton, 1822 |
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D. acrostomus |
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The genus Devario comprise of some Danionins familiar to aquarists. Generally (but not all) larger fish than Danios, they have short barbels (if present at all), and generally have deeper bodies than Danio species, with species having vertical stripes present (as well as horizontal). In size they range from 5 cm/ 2 in) to 15 cm/ 6 in).
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[edit] Taxonomy
Most species that were formerly within the Danio genus such as the giant danio have now been reclassified into the Devario genus.[1] In addition Devario acuticephala, Devario shanensis and Devario sondhii were also regarded at one time as being in the former genus Brachydanio.
Devario chankaeinsis, the Khanka Spiny Bitterling, is now renamed Achielognargus chankaeinsis. Devario asmussii, the Russian Bitterling, has now renamed Acanthorhodeus asmussii.
[edit] Characteristics
They are native to the fresh water rivers and streams of southeast Asia, but many species are brightly coloured, and are available as aquarium fish worldwide. A number of the species have only been recently discovered, in remote inland areas of Laos and Myanmar and do not yet have scientific names.
They generally do not live for more than about two to three years and are probably annual fish in the wild although the larger species may live for up to 5 years.
In the wild, these fish consume various small aquatic insects, crustaceans, worms, as well as, in the case of fry plankton.
[edit] In the aquarium
The care of members of the genus Devario are rather similar and easily generalized. They are generally easy to moderate in difficulty to keep.
All of these fish are primarily surface feeders. They are omnivorous in the aquarium and will accept a wide variety of foods, though flake food is appropriate. Living in aquaria, live/frozen flaked foods are suitable, especially brine shrimp and sinking tablets. When conditioning danios for breeding, it's advisable to feed them plenty of fresh foods.
Although boisterous and liable to chase each other and other fish, they are good community fish and will not generally attack each other or other fish, although they occasionally nip fins, more by accident than design and will, like most fish, eat eggs and any fish small enough to fit into their mouths, in the case of the larger devarios this could include fish such as small tetras.
They are best kept in a tank long enough for their active swimming, preferably with a current from a power filter (or at least airstone) as they often live in fast flowing streams in the wild. Generally this also results in them being sub tropical with cooler temperatures. They are good jumpers and a tight fitting lid is recommended
Schooling fish, they prefer to be in groups of six or more. Devario species prefer water with a 6.0–8.0 pH, a water hardness of up to 5.0–19.0 dGH, and a temperature range of 68–80 °F (18–24 °C), the lower end of the temperature range is ideal.
[edit] Breeding
Some species of Devario, such as the giant danio are among the easiest aquarium fish to breed. Other species such as Devario pathirana are far harder to spawn. All scatter their eggs over the substrate. The eggs are adhesive and hatch within 2-3 days. Eggs will be eaten enthusiastically unless protected by a heavy planting eg Java moss or a spawning mop.
[edit] External links
- Danios and Devarios. Danios and devarios website. Retrieved on 2005-10-01.
- Clarke, Matt (2005) - A fishkeeper's guide to danios and devarios.. Article on danionins at Practical Fishkeeping's website. Retrieved on 2005-10-01.
[edit] See also
- Danionins - full details of all fish related to the Devarios
- Danios - Details of the species within the genus Danio
