Giant Danio
Devario aequipinnatus
Also known as: Giant danio, Devario
Quick Facts
- Adult size: 8-10 cm (3.1-4 inches)
- Minimum tank size: 150 litres (40 gallons)
- Lifespan: 5–7 years
- Temperament: peaceful
- Swimming level: top-and-middle
- Diet: omnivore
- Minimum group size: 6
- Difficulty: beginner
Water Parameters
- Temperature: 18–26°C
- pH: 6–8
- Hardness (GH): 36–268 ppm (2–15 dGH)
Values above are general hardness (GH). For carbonate hardness (KH), the buffer that keeps pH stable, see the water parameters guide.
Care Summary
A big, boisterous, highly active schooling fish, the giant danio is one of the largest and hardiest of the danios, a flash of steel-blue and gold that rarely stops moving. Reaching 8 to 10cm, it is a fast, powerful swimmer that needs length rather than height, a group of at least six, and a secure lid, as it jumps. It is tolerant of a wide range of water and of cooler temperatures from around 18 to 26 degrees, which makes it a good choice for a lightly-heated or temperate community. Peaceful but exuberant, it can out-swim and intimidate timid or tiny tankmates and may nip long fins when kept in too small a group, so it belongs with robust, similarly lively fish. An excellent and underrated dither fish for a larger active community.
Tankmates
An active, boisterous schooler best kept in a group of six or more with other robust, lively fish such as larger rainbowfish, denison barbs, and bigger barbs, where it makes an excellent dither fish. Its speed and size overwhelm timid or very small tankmates, and it can nip long fins when under-grouped, so avoid bettas, fancy guppies, and nano species. It needs length to swim and a tight lid, as it is an accomplished jumper. Tolerates cooler water, suiting a temperate community.
Compatible with
- Boeseman's Rainbowfish
- Denison Barb
- Odessa Barb
- Gold Barb
- Congo Tetra
- Bristlenose Pleco
- Pearl Gourami
- Bronze Corydoras
Avoid keeping with
- Betta
- Chili Rasbora
- Long Finned Species
- Large Cichlids
Common Problems
- jumping from open or poorly-covered tanks
- nipping long fins or harassing timid fish when kept in too small a group
- needing swimming length that small tanks cannot provide
- intimidating or out-competing nano tankmates at feeding time
Sources: seriouslyfish.com, fishbase.org · Last updated: 2026-10-13