Identity and search names

Common name
Giant danio
Scientific name
Devario aequipinnatus
Other names
Danio aequipinnatus
Category
Freshwater fish
Group
Rasboras, danios and minnows
Origin
Clear, shaded hill streams of South Asia; older broad range records and trade lots may include closely related Devario species
Review outcome
PASSED

Environment and housing

Environment
Freshwater
Care level
Intermediate
Adult size
Usually 10–12 cm and capable of approaching 15 cm total length
Expected lifespan
About 5–8 years
Minimum housing
At least 300 L with a 150 cm swimming length and a secure lid
Temperature
20–27 °C
pH
6.0–8.0
Hardness or minerals
Soft to moderately hard; prioritise clean oxygen-rich water
Salinity
Freshwater
Lighting
Normal lighting with shaded stream margins
Social structure
Keep at least 8–10; smaller groups concentrate chasing and abnormal dominance
Placement or swimming zone
Upper and middle water
Temperament
Very active and boisterous rather than deliberately aggressive
Compatibility
Use robust medium-to-large fish that match its speed; avoid slow long-finned species and small fish vulnerable to constant disturbance
Habitat structure
Long tightly covered stream-style aquarium with open current, rounded gravel, edge planting and high oxygenation

Feeding and nutrition

Diet
Terrestrial and aquatic insects, worms, crustaceans and varied quality prepared foods
Feeding frequency
Offer measured floating and suspended foods once or twice daily and ensure slower tankmates are not excluded

Breeding and reproduction

Breeding or reproduction
Egg scatterer releasing repeated small batches over plants, mops or a protected substrate; adults eat eggs
Parental care
No parental care

System demands

Filtration
Use mature biological filtration sized for the full adult group and feeding load, with intake protection where juveniles, long fins or small fish are present. Provide steady turnover without preventing normal swimming or resting.
Aeration
Maintain strong surface gas exchange and stable dissolved oxygen. Increase aeration during warm weather, medication, transport recovery, breeding crowding or any ammonia or nitrite event.
Maintenance
Test ammonia, nitrite and nitrate, remove waste from feeding and shelter zones, and perform regular temperature- and chemistry-matched water changes before nitrate or dissolved organics accumulate.

Detailed husbandry

Identity scope
This profile applies to Devario aequipinnatus. Confirm trade identity and preserve breeder, supplier or locality records where relevant.
Adult size and space
Usually 10–12 cm and capable of approaching 15 cm total length. At least 300 L with a 150 cm swimming length and a secure lid. Plan around adult dimensions, activity, group size, aggression and waste production rather than sale size.
Social structure
Keep at least 8–10; smaller groups concentrate chasing and abnormal dominance
Placement or swimming zone
Primary zone: Upper and middle water. Keep that zone usable for movement, feeding and refuge.
Feeding ecology
Terrestrial and aquatic insects, worms, crustaceans and varied quality prepared foods
Feeding plan
Offer measured floating and suspended foods once or twice daily and ensure slower tankmates are not excluded
Water stability
Maintain 20–27 °C; pH 6.0–8.0; hardness/minerals: Soft to moderately hard; prioritise clean oxygen-rich water. Stable oxygenation and nitrogen-cycle control matter more than chasing one exact number.
Adult projected load
Plan capacity for Keep at least 8–10; smaller groups concentrate chasing and abnormal dominance at the documented adult size (Usually 10–12 cm and capable of approaching 15 cm total length) in At least 300 L with a 150 cm swimming length and a secure lid. Include feeding intensity, territorial behaviour and breeding growth rather than counting sale-size juveniles.
Filtration
Use mature biological filtration sized for the full adult group and feeding load, with intake protection where juveniles, long fins or small fish are present. Provide steady turnover without preventing normal swimming or resting.
Aeration
Maintain strong surface gas exchange and stable dissolved oxygen. Increase aeration during warm weather, medication, transport recovery, breeding crowding or any ammonia or nitrite event.
Maintenance
Test ammonia, nitrite and nitrate, remove waste from feeding and shelter zones, and perform regular temperature- and chemistry-matched water changes before nitrate or dissolved organics accumulate.
Habitat structure
Long tightly covered stream-style aquarium with open current, rounded gravel, edge planting and high oxygenation
Compatibility plan
Use robust medium-to-large fish that match its speed; avoid slow long-finned species and small fish vulnerable to constant disturbance
Breeding plan
Egg scatterer releasing repeated small batches over plants, mops or a protected substrate; adults eat eggs. Parental care: No parental care.
Quarantine
Quarantine new fish in a separate cycled aquarium with dedicated equipment. Match temperature and mineral chemistry gradually, confirm feeding and normal respiration, and never add transport water to the established aquarium.
Welfare checks
Maintain the stated adult space and social structure, verify feeding and intervene early when injury, exclusion, weight loss, abnormal respiration or altered behaviour appears. “Giant danio” trade identity is not always secure because several Devario were historically lumped together. The species needs 150 cm-class swimming length, not merely extra litres in a short tank.
Biosecurity and release
Never release fish, fry, eggs, aquarium water, sediment, plants or live foods into drains, dams or natural waterways. Confirm current Australian import conditions and South Australian possession, trade and movement rules before acquisition or transfer.
Main risk
“Giant danio” trade identity is not always secure because several Devario were historically lumped together. The species needs 150 cm-class swimming length, not merely extra litres in a short tank.
Overridable warnings
“Giant danio” trade identity is not always secure because several Devario were historically lumped together. The species needs 150 cm-class swimming length, not merely extra litres in a short tank. Any override must still preserve adult space, social welfare, stable chemistry, oxygen and filter capacity.

Welfare and risk

Welfare checks
Maintain the stated adult space and social structure, verify feeding and intervene early when injury, exclusion, weight loss, abnormal respiration or altered behaviour appears. “Giant danio” trade identity is not always secure because several Devario were historically lumped together. The species needs 150 cm-class swimming length, not merely extra litres in a short tank.
Main warning
“Giant danio” trade identity is not always secure because several Devario were historically lumped together. The species needs 150 cm-class swimming length, not merely extra litres in a short tank.
Biosecurity
Never release fish, fry, eggs, aquarium water, sediment, plants or live foods into drains, dams or natural waterways. Confirm current Australian import conditions and South Australian possession, trade and movement rules before acquisition or transfer.

Sources

Source note

Current identity or scope, husbandry, system-demand, welfare and Australian biosecurity evidence checked; active retired-source links removed; all AquaNexus wording is original.

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