Gold Ring Danio (danio tinwini) Shoal

The Gold Ring Danio (danio tinwini) known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as the Tinwini Danio, TW02 Danio, Fire Ring Danio, and Spotted Danio is a dwarf freshwater cyprinid that is native to the pristine, slow moving river basins and heavily vegetated streams of northern Myanmar.

Originally introduced to the hobby in 2003 and officially described in 2009, this true nano cyprinid is celebrated for its highly energetic nature and intricate patterning.

The Gold Ring Danio is found only in the Mogaung Chaung (Mogaung stream), an Irrawaddy tributary in the Myitkyina District of the Kachin State in northern Myanmar

The Mogaung Chaung is a tributary of the Irrawaddy/Ayeyarwady River, and although the species is probably endemic only to this region, the possibility that it’s been collected from other localities for the aquarium trade cannot be discounted.

The exact locality where they are found is the ‘Stream from Shatrazyut (Sha Da Zup) village, on road from Mogaung to Tanai, 25°54’54″N, 96°39’48″E, Ayeyarwaddy River drainage, Kachin State, Myanmar’.

Although no exact details are available about the Gold Ring Danio’s habitat, it is presumed to be similar to that of other small members of the genus which is the slower moving, often marginal sections of well-oxygenated, highly vegetated streams, canals, and minor rivers.

Myanmar (Burma) in the western portion of mainland Southeast Asia is considered to be a center of diversity for this genus which has over ten species, most of which are endemic to the area and of importance to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts.

Gold Ring Danio (danio tinwini)

The Gold Ring Danio has an almost translucent, shimmering gold to silver iridescent body color with an emerald to subtle salmon sheen, that is decorated with dark, leopard like blue or black spots that extend from the gills to the tail. They have unpaired fins that are uniquely spotted and ringed which leads to their common name.

Male danio tinwini are more streamlined and brightly colored than females which are larger bellied, rounder, and feature a fatter silver colored belly.

The Gold Ring Danio is smaller than the similar D. kyathit and D. nigrofasciatus and have spotted unpaired fins and much shorter barbels that distinguish them apart.

Gold Ring Danios are a peaceful, active shoaling species that must be kept in groups of at least 8 to 10 or more individuals in an aquarium to bring out ther vibrant colors.

Despite their small size, the Gold Ring Danio should be housed in a tank of at least 10 to 15 gallons with a dark sand or fine gravel substrate with variably sized rocks, that is well decorated with live plants like Java Moss, Anubias, or Cryptocorynes, some driftwood, and a few floating plants to mimic the shaded flowing river or streams they are found in.

Low lighting and a tight fitting lid is absolutely necessary because of their jumping notoriety.

Additional powerheads or filter outlets can be used to provide a heavy flow, but torrent-like conditions should be avoided.

Gold Ring Danios make an interesting display with other species from the Kachin area like Danio choprae, Danio kyathit, Pethia erythromycter, P. didi, Acanthocobitis zonalternans, Lepidocephalichthys guntea, Badis corycaeus and Dario hysginon.

Gold Ring Danios are continuous, non-parental egg-scatterers.   Like other Zebra Danios, they will spawn readily if they are well fed, but they will ruthlessly eat their own eggs and fry if given the chance.

To successfully raise a healthy batch of fry, you need to protect the eggs using either a heavily planted community tank or a dedicated breeding setup.

Gold Ring Danios are micro predatory omnivores that in the wild hunt for microscopic insects, tiny invertebrates, crustacean larvae, and zooplankton.

In an aquarium environment, they can be fed slow sinking micro pellets, Bug Bites, and crushed flakes with occasional offerings of newly hatched brine shrimp, daphnia, Moina, micro worms, Cyclops and rotifers. Because of their incredibly active lifestile, they should be fed small portions to 3 times a day.

Avoid over sizing and over feeding to mitigate ammonia spikes.

Gold Ring Danio (danio tinwini)

Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Aquarium Hardiness: Hardy
Water Conditions: 64-79° F, 1–5 dGH, pH 6.5-7.5
Max. Size: 3″
Color Form: Blue, Black, Gold, Silver
Diet: Omnivore
Compatibility: Suitable for peaceful community tanks
Origin: Mogaung Chaung, northern Myanmar
Family: Cyprinidae
Lifespan: up to 5 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Beginner