Malabar danio - Danio malabaricus

Originally from the West Indian Malabar Coast and bearing the same name, the Malabar danio has been in the hobby for over 100 years. In its habitat, the danio, also called Danio malabaricus, is mainly found in flowing waters. In the aquarium he gives a great figure and can be maintained also by beginners already quite simply.

The animals have an elongated body with flat sides and a superior mouth. Conspicuous are their large eyes, with which they keep especially approach food like insects in view. In base color they are gray to silver, with the belly slightly lighter than the back. A broad gray-blue band runs along the sides, fringed with orange-yellow lines and spots. The females can be distinguished from the males primarily by the fact that the blue band extends only to the upper part of the caudal fin, whereas in the males it is set in a dead straight line. Also, the males are somewhat narrower and more intensely colored. The gill cover is also shiny gold. Dorsal and anal fins are set at the same height in the rear third of the body. The anal fin but also the caudal fin may be orange in color. Occasionally the fish have barbels on the upper and lower jaw.

The great Malabar danios can also be bred in the aquarium. Increasing the temperature up to 28 °C supports spawning. Breeding is easier with a spawning and rearing aquarium, as Mala danios are strong spawn predators and eat their own eggs, but also chase their offspring in the first days of life. For breeding, preferably one male with two females are brought into the spawning aquarium, which should have a dense weed in the form of plants. The animals spawn freely in the aquarium, up to 300 eggs. Afterwards they should be put back again. After about 48 hours, the larvae hatch, still feeding on their yolk sac for the first few days, and can then be raised on Artemia nauplii.

Since the lively Malabar danios can grow up to 15 cm, (in the aquarium abr rather less) their aquarium should therefore also be somewhat larger and have an edge length of at least 100 cm and be very well covered, because the animals are quite capable of jumping. As very social and sociable fish they should be kept in a school with at least 6 animals. Since they are very swim-joyful and stay mainly at the water surface, it is worthwhile to plant the aquarium rather in the background and at the edge. Anubias, Bucephalandra, but also Cryptocorynen are suitable for this, since Malabarblings tend to gnaw at softer plants. The remaining infrastructure plays rather a subordinate role, but can, as in their habitat, be designed stony and rocky and have fine gravel. In any case, your aquarium should have a sufficiently well dimensioned filter, which reliably treats the water, but also enriches it with oxygen. The fish also like some current. Regular water changes promote the well-being of the Malabar danios. The water values should have a pH value of 6.0-8 and a total hardness of 2-15 °dGH.

With other peaceful fish, which come from similar water parameters, Malabar danios can be well socialized, but care should be taken that they are smaller, such as other danios. It can also live together with dwarf shrimps.

The omnivorous Malabar Darling can be fed in the aquarium with dry or flake food that still floats a little on the water surface, but in any case prefers live food such as Artemia, Cyclops, Daphnia, mosquito larvae.

Our food recommendation: NatureHolic Cichfeed is a great staple food for all carnivorous cichlids in the aquarium, perfectly meeting their dietary requirements. The tasty pearls are also very well eaten by larger cichlids. Thanks to their soft texture, NatureHolic Cichfeed food pearls are gentle on the mouth and can be eaten very well by the fish.

Our plant recommendation: Use for planting NatureHolic InVitros. These are free of snails, planarians and other unwanted co-inhabitants. Also free of algae spores, bacteria and fungi.

Expert Tip: We recommend for fish keeping the NatureHolic 3 Phase Liquid. The care set offers the best all-round protection for your animals. It ensures optimal conditions for successful breeding and keeping.