Devario
Encyclopedia
The genus Devario comprises some danionin
s familiar to aquarists. Generally, they are larger fish than species of the genus Danio
, they have short barbels (if present at all), and generally have deeper bodies than Danio species, with species having vertical or horizontal stripes present. In size, they range from 5 to 15 cm (2 to 6 in).
, have now been reclassified as Devario. In addition, Devario acuticephala
, Devario shanensis
and Devario sondhii were also regarded at one time as being in the now junior synonym genus Brachydanio.
The Khanka spiny bitterling (Acanthorhodeus chankaensis) and the Russian bitterling (Acheilognathus asmussii) were previously classified as Devario, but now are placed in a completely different subfamily, the Acheilognathinae
(bitterlings).
, but many species are brightly coloured, and are available as aquarium fish worldwide. A number of the species, only recently discovered in remote inland areas of Laos and Myanmar, 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 five years.
In the wild, these fish consume various small, aquatic insects, crustacean
s, worm
s, as well as, in the case of fry, plankton
.
All of these fish are primarily surface feeders. They are omnivorous in the aquarium and will accept a wide variety of foods; flake food is appropriate. Living in aquaria, live/frozen flaked foods are suitable, especially brine shrimp
and sinking tablets. Conditioning danios for breeding should include 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; like most fish, they will 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 tetra
s.
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 subtropical with cooler temperatures. They are good jumpers, so a tight-fitting lid is recommended.
As schooling fish, they prefer to be in groups of six or more. Devario species prefer water with a pH
of 6 to 8, a hardness no more than 19 dGH
, and a temperature range of 68–80°F (18–24°C), the lower end of the temperature range is ideal.
, 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, e.g. Java moss
, or a spawning mop.
Danionin
The danionins are a group of small minnow-type fish belonging to the family Cyprinidae. Members of this group are mostly in the genera Danio and Devario. They are native to the fresh waters of southeast Asia. Many species are brightly coloured and are available as aquarium fish worldwide...
s familiar to aquarists. Generally, they are larger fish than species of the genus Danio
Danio
The Danio genus comprises many of the species of danionins familiar to aquarists. The common name "danio" is used for members of the genera Danio and Devario.-Taxonomy:...
, they have short barbels (if present at all), and generally have deeper bodies than Danio species, with species having vertical or horizontal stripes present. In size, they range from 5 to 15 cm (2 to 6 in).
Taxonomy
Many species that were formerly within the Danio genus, such as the giant danioGiant Danio
The giant danio is a tropical fish belonging to the minnow family Cyprinidae. Originating in Sri Lanka, Nepal, and the west coast of India, this species grows to a maximum length of 6 inches , making it one of the largest of the danionins...
, have now been reclassified as Devario. In addition, Devario acuticephala
Devario acuticephala
Devario acuticephala is a small danionin from Manipur in India. It grows to approximately 1.5 inches and has a black line along its length and an area of red below the black line posterior to the dorsal....
, Devario shanensis
Devario shanensis
Devario shanensis is a small, freshwater fish of the Cyprinidae family....
and Devario sondhii were also regarded at one time as being in the now junior synonym genus Brachydanio.
The Khanka spiny bitterling (Acanthorhodeus chankaensis) and the Russian bitterling (Acheilognathus asmussii) were previously classified as Devario, but now are placed in a completely different subfamily, the Acheilognathinae
Acheilognathinae
Acheilognathinae, the bitterling-like cyprinids, are a subfamily of cyprinids.Genera contained herein are:* Acanthorhodeus – spiny bitterlings* Acheilognathus* Rhodeus – bitterlings* Tanakia...
(bitterlings).
Species
- Devario acrostomus (F. Fang & KottelatMaurice KottelatDr. Maurice Kottelat is a Swiss ichthyologist.In 1976 he entered the University of Neuchâtel where he obtained his diploma in 1987. In 1980 he went to Thailand where he began his field research on Southeast Asiatic and Indonesian fresh water fish species...
, 1999) - Devario acuticephalaDevario acuticephalaDevario acuticephala is a small danionin from Manipur in India. It grows to approximately 1.5 inches and has a black line along its length and an area of red below the black line posterior to the dorsal....
(HoraSunder Lal HoraSunder Lal Hora was an Indian ichthyologist.Famous for the Satpura Hypothesis, a zoo-geographical hypothesis proposed by him that suggests that the central Indian Satpura Range of hills acted as a bridge providing for the Malayan affinity of many Indian fauna and flora in the peninsula and the...
, 1921) - Devario aequipinnatus (McClelland, 1839) (giant danio)
- Devario affinisDevario affinisDevario affinis, a cyprinid fish which grows up to in length, is a freshwater fish found in India....
(BlythEdward BlythEdward Blyth was an English zoologist and pharmacist. He was one of the founders of zoology in India....
, 1860) - Devario annandaleiDevario annandaleiDevario annandalei is a species of fish of the family Cyprinidae....
(Chaudhuri, 1908) - Devario anomalus Conway, Mayden & K. L. Tang, 2009
- Devario apogonDevario apogonDevario apogon is a stunning fish from the Yunnan province of China which is not dissimilar to Devario shanensis. The fish appears to grow to a maximum of 5–6 cm...
(X. L. Chu, 1981) - Devario apopyris (F. Fang & KottelatMaurice KottelatDr. Maurice Kottelat is a Swiss ichthyologist.In 1976 he entered the University of Neuchâtel where he obtained his diploma in 1987. In 1980 he went to Thailand where he began his field research on Southeast Asiatic and Indonesian fresh water fish species...
, 1999) - Devario assamensisDevario assamensisDevario assamensis is a large boisterous Danionin from the Mirik area of India. It grows to 6 inches and has a deep red stripe along the length of its body as well as the more usual yellow and blue stripes....
(Barman, 1984) - Devario auropurpureus (AnnandaleNelson AnnandaleThomas Nelson Annandale CIE was a Scottish zoologist, entomologist and anthropologist.The eldest son of Thomas Annandale, the regius professor of clinical surgery at the University of Edinburgh, Nelson was educated at Rugby School, Balliol College, Oxford, and the University of Edinburgh.Annandale...
, 1918) - Devario browniDevario browniDevario brownii is a species of fish in the family Cyprinidae....
(Regan, 1907) - Devario chrysotaeniatusDevario chrysotaeniatusDevario chrysotaeniatus, commonly called Gold Striped Danio, is a tropical fish belonging to the minnow family . Originating in China and Laos in the upper Mekong river, this fish is very rarely found in community tanks by fish keeping hobbyists. It grows to a maximum length of 3 inches ....
(X. L. Chu, 1981) - Devario devario (F. HamiltonFrancis Buchanan-HamiltonDr Francis Buchanan, later known as Francis Hamilton but often referred to as Francis Buchanan-Hamilton was a Scottish physician who made significant contributions as a geographer, zoologist, and botanist while living in India.The standard botanical author abbreviation Buch.-Ham. is applied to...
, 1822) (Sind danio) - Devario fangfangae (KottelatMaurice KottelatDr. Maurice Kottelat is a Swiss ichthyologist.In 1976 he entered the University of Neuchâtel where he obtained his diploma in 1987. In 1980 he went to Thailand where he began his field research on Southeast Asiatic and Indonesian fresh water fish species...
, 2000) - Devario fraseri (HoraSunder Lal HoraSunder Lal Hora was an Indian ichthyologist.Famous for the Satpura Hypothesis, a zoo-geographical hypothesis proposed by him that suggests that the central Indian Satpura Range of hills acted as a bridge providing for the Malayan affinity of many Indian fauna and flora in the peninsula and the...
, 1935) - Devario gibber (KottelatMaurice KottelatDr. Maurice Kottelat is a Swiss ichthyologist.In 1976 he entered the University of Neuchâtel where he obtained his diploma in 1987. In 1980 he went to Thailand where he began his field research on Southeast Asiatic and Indonesian fresh water fish species...
, 2000) - Devario horai (Barman, 1983)
- Devario interruptusDevario interruptusFrom the Yunnan province of China, Devario Interruptus is very similar to Devario shanensis. The fish appears to grow to a maximum of 5 to 6 cm....
(F. DayFrancis DayFrancis Day CIE was Inspector-General of Fisheries in India and Burma and an ichthyologist.He was born on 2 March 1829 Maresfield, Sussex, UK third son of William and Ann Day. He became the medical officer in the Madras Presidency, East India Company services in 1852.Francis Day was created a...
, 1870) - Devario kakhienensis (AndersonJohn Anderson (zoologist)John Anderson was a Scottish anatomist and zoologist who worked in India.He was born in Edinburgh and graduated in medicine from the University of Edinburgh in 1861. His thesis however was in zoology...
, 1879) - Devario laoensisDevario laoensisDevario laoensis is a species of danionin....
(PellegrinJacques PellegrinJacques Pellegrin was a French zoologist.Pellegrin was born in Paris, and studied natural history. In 1894 he became assistant chairman of zoology at the Muséum national d'histoire naturelle, replacing Léon Vaillant .He got his doctorates in medicine and science...
& P. W. Fang, 1940) - Devario leptos (F. Fang & KottelatMaurice KottelatDr. Maurice Kottelat is a Swiss ichthyologist.In 1976 he entered the University of Neuchâtel where he obtained his diploma in 1987. In 1980 he went to Thailand where he began his field research on Southeast Asiatic and Indonesian fresh water fish species...
, 1999) - Devario maetaengensis (F. Fang, 1997)
- Devario malabaricus (JerdonThomas C. JerdonThomas Caverhill Jerdon was a British physician, zoologist and botanist. He is best remembered for his pioneering works on the ornithology of India...
, 1849) (Malabar danio) - Devario manipurensis (Barman, 1987)
- Devario naganensis (Chaudhuri, 1912)
- Devario neilgherriensis (F. DayFrancis DayFrancis Day CIE was Inspector-General of Fisheries in India and Burma and an ichthyologist.He was born on 2 March 1829 Maresfield, Sussex, UK third son of William and Ann Day. He became the medical officer in the Madras Presidency, East India Company services in 1852.Francis Day was created a...
, 1867) - Devario pathirana (KottelatMaurice KottelatDr. Maurice Kottelat is a Swiss ichthyologist.In 1976 he entered the University of Neuchâtel where he obtained his diploma in 1987. In 1980 he went to Thailand where he began his field research on Southeast Asiatic and Indonesian fresh water fish species...
& Pethiyagoda, 1990) (barred danio) - Devario peninsulae (H. M. SmithHugh McCormick SmithHugh McCormick Smith was an American ichthyologist and administrator in the Bureau of Fisheries.-Biography:...
, 1945) - Devario regina (FowlerHenry Weed FowlerHenry Weed Fowler was an American zoologist born in Holmesburg, Pennsylvania.He studied at Stanford University under David Starr Jordan...
, 1934) - Devario salmonata (KottelatMaurice KottelatDr. Maurice Kottelat is a Swiss ichthyologist.In 1976 he entered the University of Neuchâtel where he obtained his diploma in 1987. In 1980 he went to Thailand where he began his field research on Southeast Asiatic and Indonesian fresh water fish species...
, 2000) - Devario shanensisDevario shanensisDevario shanensis is a small, freshwater fish of the Cyprinidae family....
(HoraSunder Lal HoraSunder Lal Hora was an Indian ichthyologist.Famous for the Satpura Hypothesis, a zoo-geographical hypothesis proposed by him that suggests that the central Indian Satpura Range of hills acted as a bridge providing for the Malayan affinity of many Indian fauna and flora in the peninsula and the...
, 1928) (Hora danio) - Devario sondhii (HoraSunder Lal HoraSunder Lal Hora was an Indian ichthyologist.Famous for the Satpura Hypothesis, a zoo-geographical hypothesis proposed by him that suggests that the central Indian Satpura Range of hills acted as a bridge providing for the Malayan affinity of many Indian fauna and flora in the peninsula and the...
& Mukerji, 1934) - Devario spinosus (F. DayFrancis DayFrancis Day CIE was Inspector-General of Fisheries in India and Burma and an ichthyologist.He was born on 2 March 1829 Maresfield, Sussex, UK third son of William and Ann Day. He became the medical officer in the Madras Presidency, East India Company services in 1852.Francis Day was created a...
, 1870) - Devario strigilliferDevario strigillifer-External links:* *...
(MyersGeorge S. MyersDr. George Sprague Myers spent most of his career at Stanford University, where he was one of the leading American ichthyologists of the twentieth century. He served as the editor of Stanford Ichthyological Bulletin as well as president of the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists...
, 1924) - Devario suvatti (FowlerHenry Weed FowlerHenry Weed Fowler was an American zoologist born in Holmesburg, Pennsylvania.He studied at Stanford University under David Starr Jordan...
, 1939) - Devario xyrops F. Fang & S. O. KullanderSven O. KullanderSven Oscar Kullander is a Swedish biologist specialised in ichthyology.He primarily researches cichlids – notably the genus Apistogramma and the Cichlasoma-complex – and other tropical fresh water fishes....
, 2009 - Devario yuensis (Arunkumar & Tombi Singh, 1998)
- Devario sp "giraffe"
Characteristics
They are native to the freshwater rivers and streams of Southeast AsiaSoutheast Asia
Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
, but many species are brightly coloured, and are available as aquarium fish worldwide. A number of the species, only recently discovered in remote inland areas of Laos and Myanmar, 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 five years.
In the wild, these fish consume various small, aquatic insects, crustacean
Crustacean
Crustaceans form a very large group of arthropods, usually treated as a subphylum, which includes such familiar animals as crabs, lobsters, crayfish, shrimp, krill and barnacles. The 50,000 described species range in size from Stygotantulus stocki at , to the Japanese spider crab with a leg span...
s, worm
Worm
The term worm refers to an obsolete taxon used by Carolus Linnaeus and Jean-Baptiste Lamarck for all non-arthropod invertebrate animals, and stems from the Old English word wyrm. Currently it is used to describe many different distantly-related animals that typically have a long cylindrical...
s, as well as, in the case of fry, plankton
Plankton
Plankton are any drifting organisms that inhabit the pelagic zone of oceans, seas, or bodies of fresh water. That is, plankton are defined by their ecological niche rather than phylogenetic or taxonomic classification...
.
In the aquarium
The care of members of the genus Devario are rather similar and easily generalized. They are generally easy to moderate in keeping difficulty.All of these fish are primarily surface feeders. They are omnivorous in the aquarium and will accept a wide variety of foods; flake food is appropriate. Living in aquaria, live/frozen flaked foods are suitable, especially brine shrimp
Brine shrimp
Artemia is a genus of aquatic crustaceans known as brine shrimp. Artemia, the only genus in the family Artemiidae, has changed little externally since the Triassic period...
and sinking tablets. Conditioning danios for breeding should include 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; like most fish, they will 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 tetra
Tetra
thumb|right|250px|Pristella tetra — [[Pristella maxillaris]].thumb|right|250px|Golden Pristella tetra, a [[morph |morph]] of [[Pristella maxillaris]].thumb|right|250px|[[Silvertip tetra]] — Hasemania nana....
s.
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 subtropical with cooler temperatures. They are good jumpers, so a tight-fitting lid is recommended.
As schooling fish, they prefer to be in groups of six or more. Devario species prefer water with a pH
PH
In chemistry, pH is a measure of the acidity or basicity of an aqueous solution. Pure water is said to be neutral, with a pH close to 7.0 at . Solutions with a pH less than 7 are said to be acidic and solutions with a pH greater than 7 are basic or alkaline...
of 6 to 8, a hardness no more than 19 dGH
DGH
Degrees of general hardness is a unit of water hardness, specifically of general hardness.General hardness is a measure of the concentration of metal divalent ions such as calcium and magnesium per volume of water...
, and a temperature range of 68–80°F (18–24°C), the lower end of the temperature range is ideal.
Breeding
Some species of Devario, such as the giant danioGiant Danio
The giant danio is a tropical fish belonging to the minnow family Cyprinidae. Originating in Sri Lanka, Nepal, and the west coast of India, this species grows to a maximum length of 6 inches , making it one of the largest of the danionins...
, 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, e.g. Java moss
Java moss
Java Moss is a moss belonging to the Hypnaceae family. Native to Southeast Asia, it is commonly used in freshwater aquariums. It attaches to rocks, roots, and driftwood...
, or a spawning mop.