Glowlight danio facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Glowlight danio |
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The glowlight danio (Danio choprae) is a small, active fish that loves to swim in groups, called a "school." It's a close relative of the popular zebrafish (Danio rerio). Don't confuse it with the GloFish, which is a special type of zebrafish that glows under ultraviolet light.
Glowlight danios spend most of their time swimming in the middle of the water. They enjoy eating small insects that fall into the water, tiny insect larvae, and other small creatures. If you keep them in an aquarium, they will happily eat most fish foods, including dry flakes. This fish has a sleek body with a bright orange stripe along its side. It also has several blue-black stripes going up and down its body. Its fins have pretty yellow edges.
In recent years, the glowlight danio has become a popular pet fish for aquariums. However, it's not used for food or other big commercial purposes. Its name comes from how much it looks like the glowlight tetra, another fish from South America. Even though they look similar, they are only distantly related. Glowlight danios usually get along well with other Danio species, except for the much larger giant danio.
Sometimes, you might hear about a "northern glowlight danio" from the Putao area in northern Myanmar. This fish is a bit bigger and has more stripes and longer whiskers (called barbels). It might actually be a different species known as Danio flagrans.
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About the Glowlight Danio
The glowlight danio is a small and colorful fish. Knowing its needs helps you understand how to care for it.
Size and Appearance
Glowlight danios usually grow to be about 3 to 4 centimeters long. They come in colors like brown, yellow, green, and red. Their most striking feature is the bright orange stripe that runs along their body.
Water Needs and Habitat
These fish prefer water temperatures between 19 and 24 degrees Celsius. They like water that is slightly acidic to neutral, with a pH of 6 to 7. The water should also be soft to medium in hardness. Like most fish, they need fresh water to live.
Life and Behavior
Glowlight danios are known for being fast swimmers, just like many other danio fish. They are generally peaceful and get along well with other fish. With good care, they can live for about three years, and sometimes even longer, up to six years or more!
Keeping and Breeding
Taking care of glowlight danios is considered moderately easy. Breeding them can be a bit more challenging, but it's possible for experienced fish keepers.
The Name of the Glowlight Danio
The scientific name for the glowlight danio is Danio choprae. It was named by a scientist named S. L. Hora after Dr. B. N. Chopra.
Why the Name Changed
Originally, the name was Danio choprae. However, in Latin, names ending in '-ae' are usually for honoring women. Names that honor men typically end with '-i'. Because of this, you might sometimes see the fish's name written as Danio choprai.
