Leopard Danio

Danio sp. ?frankei?

Note: Due
to variations within species, your item may not look identical to the image
provided

Hardy, attractive and active, this is an ideal species for
the beginner. Leopard Danios are thought to be a man-made colour variant of the
Zebra Danio as they have never been confirmed as having a natural distribution
in the wild. Leopard Danios must be kept in groups of 6 or more, due to their
shoaling nature, and are often employed as ?dither fish?; indeed their active
nature helps to encourage more reclusive fish to venture out into the open. The
tank should contain aquatic plants for cover, with an open swimming space
provided in the centre. Can be kept with most other community fish, although
long-finned species are best avoided, as are placid fish species which are
easily disturbed by the Leopard Danios constant activity. Leopard Danios do
best in water of a slightly cooler-than-average temperature, so be sure to
choose tankmates accordingly. A long-finned variety of this variant is
sometimes available.

Feeding

Eagerly accepts most aquarium foods offered: flake,
micropellets, small frozen foods such as mosquito larvae, daphnia and cyclops.

Breeding

Fairly easy. A separate shallow breeding aquarium should be
set up and furnished with spawning mops/Java moss or instead a substrate of
sterilised marbles. A conditioned pair/mixed group should be added to the tank,
and the temperature gradually raised to 26 deg C. Spawning often occurs when
the first rays of morning sunlight hit the aquarium, and up to 500 eggs per
female can be laid amongst the d?cor. The adults must be removed from the
aquarium once spawning has ceased, as they will predate on the eggs. After
24-36 hours, the eggs will hatch into tiny wrigglers and after a further 24
hours or so, they will become free-swimming. Infusoria is recommended as a
first food.