The Turquoise Danio or Kerr’s Danio (Brachydanio kerri), is also known by tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as the Blue, or Pearl Danio.
The Turquoise Danio is native to southwest Thailand where it inhabits clear water, rocky, gravel bottomed forest streams, pools and small rivers.
Turquoise Danios have been reported from Koh Yao Noi island, Phang Nga province, south-western Thailand to other islands in the area including Phuket, Ko Lanta and Langkawi. It is also found in the Krabi and Ranong provinces of mainland southern Thailand (the upper Malay Peninsula).
The Turquoise Danio is an active, slender bodied shoaling fish that is ideal for keeping in peaceful community aquariuims.
Turquoise Danios will readily mingle with other Danio species and similarly sized peaceful fish of other kinds. They are extremely active when housed in small schools of 6 or more fish.
Turquoise or Blue Danios prefer a dark sandy or gravel bottom aquarium with plenty of available swimming space.
A well planted aquarium set up to resemble a flowing river or stream, with a substrate of variably sized rocks and gravel and some larger water worn boulders is perfect for these fish. Driftwood roots, some branches and some aquatic plants like Microsorum, Bolbitis or Anubias that attaches to the decor should also be added.
A small powerhead or an additional filter inlet to the tank should be provided to add some flow to the tank but don’t overdo it. Danios are usually found in the calmer stretches of fast flowing rivers and streams.
Turquoise Danios are accomplished jumpers and can get through some very small spaces, so make sure your tank has a tightly fitting cover.
Like most Danios, they are easy to breed and scatter their eggs in shallow water over a substrate of small rocks or coarse gravel. The eggs usually hatch out within 36 hours after spawning. The fry can be fed fine pieces of live foods or finely crushed flake food.
Because Turquoise Danios are omnivores, they should be fed a diet of flake foods along with plenty of vegetable matter. Freeze dried tubifex or bloodworms will also be readily accepted.
The approximate size of Turquoise Danios that are available for purchase is usually from 1″ to 1-3/4″ in length.
Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Aquarium Hardiness: Very Hardy
Water Conditions: 73-77° F, KH 8-12, pH 6.5-7.0
Max. Size: 2″
Color Form: Blue
Diet: Omnivore
Origin: Asia, Malay Peninsula, Thailand
Family: Cyprinidae
Lifespan: 5 – 7 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Beginner