The Zebra Danios is common in many aquariums because there is a wide variety, it is also frequently used for scientific research. A curious fact about this is that it was the first vertebrate to be cloned. This species is also known by the names of little flag or zebrafish. Its scientific name is Danios Rerio is an actinopterygian pesticide fish. And belongs to the order of the Cypriniformes and its family is the Cyprinidae finally its genus is Danios.
Zebra Danios are easy-going freshwater fish that make a great addition to any aquarium. They thrive in water temperatures down to 62 degrees Fahrenheit, have an insatiable appetite for all types of food, and reproduce at alarming rates! These colorful little fishes will readily accept anything you throw their way – from live worms or hard-boiled eggs right up until they’re fully grown adults. In fact, zebra danios don’t even need a heater because they can comfortably withstand conditions as low as 60 degrees without so much as batting an eye. When it comes time to breed them though? Prepare yourself: these loyal lovebirds mate for life (just like humans!).
Characteristics of Zebra Danios Fish
The zebra danios are a species that reaches up to five centimeters in length. Its body is also elongate fusiform, has a single dorsal fin. A rigorous mouth that is direct upward is caused by the protrusive lower jaw. With a pair of fine barbels, the only way to observe these chins is that the animal is in vertical form, its eyes are centrally located. This fish does not have teeth or stomachs, it feeds using its thorny gills by sucking the food. On the sides of this is observed five to nine dark blue stripes these are longitudinal.
These fringes leave behind the operculum and reach the end of the fish that includes its tail of this zebra aspect comes its name. The operculum is bluish and the ventral area of ​​ white color with the pinkish tone the zebra danios is transparent. This feature allows scientists to visualize how their experiments evolve without inconvenience. The species presents sexual dimorphism, males and females are different in both size and color.
The female is usually larger than the male, it has a silver background color on its body. For its part, the male is golden tones I leave a video for you to learn to differentiate the sexes of these fish.
There are specimens that have been modified by their genetics creating fluorescent colors yellow, green, pink, red, and blue. These zebra danios are called Glofish and there are also Albinos. The leopard danios, previously known as Danios Frankie, is a zebra danio that arose due to a mutation of a pigment. The patterns of the pattern are not similar to the zebra is similar to the spots of a leopard, along with subspecies of long fins.
It is obtained through selective programs that breed them for the aquarium trade. Several transgenic and mutant zebra danios specimens were stored at the China Zebra Danios Resource Center. Hybrids between different Danios species can be fertile.
Habitat
This species is native to the streams located in the southeast of the Himalayas region. They are also found in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Burma. In some places, the fish is found inhabiting streams, canals, ditches, ponds, bodies of water where their movements are not fast or standing water. You may also like to read Rainbowfish
They also live in rice fields, these places need water damming and the creation of an irrigation system. And they use the habitat of the zebra danios to create them in this way the human modify the area of ​​the animal even though it stays living in the area since this species tolerates the human being. They are capable of surviving and reproducing where there is ample presence of people. Due to flooding caused by rain, the zebra danios have adapted to multiple temperatures.
They can live in temperatures from six degrees Celsius to thirty-eight degrees without any problem. In the USA Also, this fish is found, its introduction to this habitat was by deliberate liberation or by escaping from Fish Farms. It has seen specimens in California, Connecticut, Florida, and New Mexico in South America there is a specimen.
Behavior
The zebra danios are a very active animal also social and diurnal social behavior is gregarious are handled in school. It is a natural feature of the fish so are the social hierarchies that are created between the male and the female. This domination is established through aggressive behavior that includes biting and persecution.
The dominant fish are responsible for establishing mating territories. These territories should be close to the spawning grounds and also monopolize food. These fish form groups of individuals that swim in unison. And it is possible to change direction instantly without colliding between them maneuvering as a single body.
This is done in front of a predator when the fish feels in danger, and thus scare and dodge any possible attack. The groups that carry out this action are called Schools. The zebra danios show warning signs when it perceives a predator that it does through its olfactory or visual sense. Their behavior becomes agitated intensively, shows aggressiveness, and reduces the feeding frequency. You may also like to read Angelfish
Feeding
It is an omnivorous fish that gets much of its food in the columns of the waters. They usually eat zooplankton and marine insects. Usually, these species feed on the surface of the water devouring terrestrial insects and some small arachnids. One of the favorite foods of this species is the larvae of mosquitoes. They also eat worms, a small crustacean, phytoplankton. They eat a great variety of other foods if their main food sources are not available.
Reproduction
From three to six months of age the zebra danios reach sexual maturity, they are able to reproduce throughout the year. The female places up to 200 eggs, the development of the embryo is very fast. The main organs appear within the first thirty-six hours after fertilization. And the embryo is seen in its beginnings as a bud with a giant cell in the top then it is divided into two.
This same action is repeated until it reaches thousands of small cells. These cells migrate towards the sides of the yolk and start the formation of the head and tail. The latter grows and separates from the body with time the yolk becomes smaller since it is responsible for feeding the fish.
Captivity
These fish are one of the easiest breeding species because they are very resistant individuals. They are cheaper fish than the Amazonian circles. These fish are calm and can coexist with almost all species. These characteristics make them an excellent option to create community aquariums. It is important to keep in mind that this species is handled in school for this reason the breeder must have at least a group of six individuals.
Aquarius
It is necessary to have them in an aquarium where they have enough space. And that space does not present disadvantages when swimming since these fish are very good and fast swimmers. This breed spends much of its time doing this activity. The quality of the bottom of the aquarium is an important factor that is essential to have a biological filter.
No plants should be placed in the central area where it is a nuisance for the movement of the zebra danios. The temperature should be around 28 °C, this is considered the ideal temperature. However, this breed survives at temperatures between 20° and 29 °C. With these temperatures, this breed can live relatively well. Even so, when temperatures are lower than 27 °C, it seems that their life expectancy is lower.
FAQ
How many zebra danios should be kept together?
The recommended number of zebra danios for a tank is 4-6. This will provide the fish with plenty of space to swim and interact with each other. It’s important to keep in mind that zebra danios are very active fish and need plenty of room to move around. Keeping more than 6 in a tank can lead to overcrowding and stress for the fish, so it’s best to stick with the recommended number.
What fish can live with danios?
When it comes to deciding which fish can live with danios, the most important factor is compatibility. Danios are active, schooling fish that prefer living in groups of at least 6-8 individuals. Therefore, any tankmates should be peaceful and also able to tolerate a higher level of activity. Some good options for danios include other small schooling fish such as rasboras, tetras, or barbs. All of these species have similar care requirements and temperament as danios, making them ideal tankmates.
How often do you feed zebra danios?
Zebra danios are a type of small, hardy fish that can be kept in aquariums. They are easy to care for and require minimal maintenance. When it comes to feeding zebra danios, they should typically be fed two to three times a day in small amounts. It is important not to overfeed them as this can lead to health problems such as bloating or swim bladder disease. A good rule of thumb is to feed them only what they can consume within two minutes and remove any uneaten food from the tank afterwards. Additionally, it is important to provide a varied diet with both live and frozen food options so that your zebra danios receive all the nutrients they need.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a fish to add to your aquarium that will provide interest and intrigue, the zebrafish may be just what you need. This species is common in many home aquariums because of its wide variety and frequent use in scientific research. A curious fact about this animal is that it was the first vertebrate ever cloned. It’s also known by multiple names including little flag or zebrafish (though it isn’t actually related to either). Its scientific name Danios Rerio belongs to the order of the Cypriniformes and family Cyprinidae finally its genus is Danios. Hope this guide has helped! Good luck with your new companion!
As a Reference: Wikipedia
