7 Most Common Danio Fish for Your Aquarium

Fact checked by Emily Estep

Whether you are setting up your first aquarium or you are an old hand at keeping fish, choosing the right species for your tank is always an important question. And one of the best species of fish for the freshwater tank is the danio fish, which is a member of the family Cyprinidae. This large family of freshwater fish includes minnows, carp, barbs, and goldfish, along with many other species.

Danios are a hardy, lively species of fish that do well in cooler water, making them suitable for unheated tanks as long as the room is fairly warm. Most danios do well in community tanks, meaning you can keep them with a variety of other similar-sized fish. This makes danio fish an especially good choice for beginners to fish-keeping, although their attractive appearance and easy care makes them popular even with those who have had fish tanks for years.

There are quite a few species of danio to choose from. Here are some of the popular danio species, so you can consider which one would be a good fit for you. Keep in mind that danios are schooling fish, so it's best to add at least four to your tank, rather than an individual.

Dwarf Spotted Danio

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. Because this is a somewhat shy fish, it's best to keep the dwarf spotted danio only with other species similar in size and not prone to nipping, boisterous behavior, or aggressiveness.

Giant Danio

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

The largest of the danios commonly kept in aquariums, giant danios can reach four inches when they are adults and should be kept only with larger species. They are active fish and can be jumpers, so be sure your aquarium has a tightly fitted lid. Due to their size, giant danio fish are best kept in medium to large tanks; unlike many other danios, this is not the fish for a 10-gallon tank. A school of giant danios is quite suitable for many cichlid tanks.

Pearl Danio

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 as long as the other fish are similar in size, as well as water and temperature requirements. Pearl danios 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. Pearl danios are fairly active, making them fun to watch.

Rosy Danio

Scientific Name: Danio roseus
Also Known As: Purple Haze Danio, Purple Passion Danio, Rose Danio
Adult Size: 2 inches (5.1 cm)
Lifespan: 5 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. While many danios are silvery or blue in color, the rose danio, as the name suggests, is a soft pink, making it an especially lovely contrast to other danio species. They do like the tank water a little warmer than many other types of danio fish, so will do best in a tank with a heater.

White Cloud Mountain Minnow

Scientific Name: Tanichthys alboneubes
Also Known As: Canton Danio, Chinese Danio, White Cloud, White Cloud Mountain Fish
Adult Size: 2 inches (5.1 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 very hardy, active, and easy to keep. This is one of the best fish for a beginner to aquariums. It's not hard to see why they are so popular, as a healthy, well-conditioned specimen is very attractive. These small fish like cool water and do very well in unheated tanks, making them good candidates for smaller aquariums. They are one of the easiest aquarium fish to breed, but males can become a little aggressive. Still, they generally get along well with other community fish of similar sizes.

Zebra Danio

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. Their beautiful blue and silver stripes are very striking as they swim to and fro in the tank. Zebra danios 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.

Glowlight Danio

Scientific Name: Danio choprae
Adult Size: 1.5 inches (4 cm)
Lifespan: 5 years
Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallon
pH: 6.0 - 7.0
Hardness: 5-12°dGH
Temperature: 66-75°F (19-25°C)
Tankmates: Can be kept with all species

Another fairly new species of danio in the fish trade, the glowlight danio has very striking and bright coloring. This small fish can be a bit shy and prefers a tank with plenty of plants, either real or faux, to hide in when necessary. Glowlight danios do best when kept in schools of at least six and should be kept in community tanks only with fish of similar sizes. They are very active and tend to stick together in a tight group as they swim to and fro.

Read the original article on The Spruce Pets.