Color Danio (Danio rerio)

Lively, hardy, and brilliantly colourful — the Color Danio (Danio rerio) is a selectively bred variant of the classic Zebra Danio, developed to display enhanced and varied body colouration beyond the traditional blue and silver stripes. Active, peaceful, and incredibly easy to keep, Color Danios are a fantastic choice for beginners and experienced aquarists alike.

Overview

Appearance

Color Danios display a range of vivid hues — from electric blues and purples to golds and pinks — while retaining the characteristic horizontal striping of the Zebra Danio. Their streamlined, torpedo-shaped bodies and constant, energetic movement make them a dynamic and eye-catching addition to any aquarium. A school of mixed Color Danios creates a dazzling, ever-moving display of colour.

Water Parameters & Tank Setup

• Temperature: 64 – 77°F (18 – 25°C)
• pH: 6.5 – 7.5
• General Hardness (GH): 2 – 15 dGH
• Tank Size: Minimum 10 gallons for a school of 6+
• Lighting: Moderate
• Substrate: Any; dark substrate enhances their colours
• Plants & Decor: Planted tanks with open swimming space; they love to zip around in open water

Diet & Feeding

Color Danios are unfussy omnivores:

• Staple: High-quality flake food or micro pellets
• Treats: Baby brine shrimp, daphnia, micro worms, and bloodworms

Feed small amounts 2–3 times daily.

Compatibility & Tank Mates

Excellent community fish. Best kept in groups of 6 or more. Great tank mates include:

• Tetras, rasboras, and other small schooling fish
• Corydoras catfish
• Livebearers (guppies, platies)
• Dwarf gouramis
• Small plecos

Avoid housing with slow-moving, long-finned fish as Danios can nip fins.

Breeding

Color Danios are egg scatterers and breed readily. They spawn among fine-leaved plants or over a mesh bottom. Parents will eat eggs, so a separate breeding tank is recommended. Eggs hatch in 2–3 days and fry can be fed infusoria or liquid fry food initially.

The Color Danio is one of the most cheerful and energetic fish you can add to a community aquarium — hardy, colourful, and always on the move. A perfect fish for adding life and vibrancy to any freshwater setup.