Leopard Danio

The Leopard Danio is a pretty and peaceful danio native to India and Pakistan. Characteristic of this species are the dark, blue shimmering dots and spots, which can resemble a leopard pattern.

Care in the aquarium

Brachydanio frankei can be classified as easy to keep. It should be kept in a group of at least 8 conspecifics and needs dense background and border plants to feel comfortable and safe. However, care should be taken to ensure that it has enough swimming space. Due to its maximum size of 6cm and its lively nature, an edge length of 80cm or a filling volume of 112 liters is the minimum. In the community tank it can be kept very well together with peaceful fish of approximately the same size, such as cory catfish.

Feeding

As an omnivore, the Leopard Danio does not pose too much of a challenge when it comes to feeding. Live and frozen food types such as artemia, daphnia or enchytraea are extremely popular, but fish food suitable for tetras and danios is also readily accepted.

Sexual characteristics and breeding

Female Leopard Danios are larger and significantly fuller than males, especially during the spawning season. In addition, the males are slightly more colorful and can have a reddish belly, which is silver in the females. Breeding this beautiful danio is easily possible in an aquarium. The willingness to spawn can be increased by giving more live food. Once a suitable spawning site has been found in the form of fine-feathered plants or moss cushions, the females lay the eggs between them, where they are fertilized by the male. As is typical for open spawners, no brood care is subsequently carried out. The fish larvae hatch from the up to 500 eggs after a few days. The initially very small larvae can be fed with dust food and infusoria and a little later also with newly hatched Artemia nauplii. Since Leopard Danios are spawning predators, it is best to separate the parents from the future offspring immediately after laying their eggs.