The Gold Longfin Danio (Danio rerio) is member of the Cyprinidae family that is native to the Ganges region of eastern India.
They are a popular variety of the Zebra Danio and are found in a variety of habitats from fast moving streams to slow moving, almost stagnant ponds.
The Gold Longfin Danio is a metallic gold in color with yellow stripes that run horizontally across its body. They have long graceful fins that flow behind them as they literally glide around in your aquarium.
Gold Longfin Danios are a shoaling species that should be kept in the home aquarium in groups of at least 6 to 8 specimens. They get along well with many of the smaller Danios and other peaceful, non-aggressive species of the same size.
Gold Longfin Danios prefer densely planted aquariums, with driftwood roots for hiding, and large open areas for swimming. Like most other danios, they are easy to care for and do well on a diet of commercially prepared omnivore flake food and an occasional offering of live brine shrimp, tubifex or daphnia.
Like the Zebra Danio, Gold Longfin Danios are easy to breed. The males are more torpedo shaped than the larger bellied females and once paired up, they remain loyal to one another.
Breeding pairs should be separated to a breeding tank with fine leaved plants or a “mop” for them to spawn over. These Danios are egg scatters and will deposit anywhere from 300 to 400 eggs during a spawn which will hatch within a couple of days. Fry should be fed live baby brine shrimp
when free swimming or small bits of live foods until they are able to accept flake food.
The Gold Longfin Danios that are available for purchase in your local pet shop are usually farm raised and range in size from 3/4″ to 1 1/2″ in length.
Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Aquarium Hardiness: Hardy
Water Conditions: 64-75° F, KH 8-12, pH 6.5-7.0
Max. Size: 3″
Color Form: Gold
Diet: Omnivore
Origin: India, Farm raised in the USA
Family: Cyprinidae
Lifespan: up to 5 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Beginner