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Encyclopedia / Danios & Rasboras / Giant danio
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Variations

2 kinds · tap one for a closer look

Giant danio

Devario aequipinnatus

Very active; needs open water and a lid.

Most fish sold as giant danios are Devario malabaricus, the Malabar danio. Care is the same.

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10 cmBody length, without tail ✓
16–26 °CTemperature ✓
6–8pH ✓
243 LSmallest tank ✓
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Tank mates
Check your own mix →
Not recommended
  • Giant gourami eats animals up to about 10 cm. Giant danio only grows to 10 cm.
Not recommended
  • Oscar eats animals up to about 12 cm. Giant danio only grows to 10 cm.
Not recommended
  • They need different temperatures (16–26 °C vs 27–30 °C). No setting suits both.
With conditions
  • Only a narrow temperature range suits both: exactly 26 °C.
With conditions
  • Only a narrow pH range suits both: exactly 6.
Compatible
Compatible
Compatible
Compatible
Compatible

451 species in our list are a good match.

Facts checked against sources on 16 Oct 2026. ✓ means a source backs it; ? means no reliable source yet. See sources

Care and water

Hardness ✓2–15 dGH
Group size ✓8 or more
Temperament ✓Peaceful
Swims at ✓Top
Care level ✓Moderate
Diet Omnivore
Lifespan ?Unknown
Size in shops 3–5 cm
Growth Medium

Behavior

Very active; needs open water and a lid.

Food

Flakes, pellets.

Tap a food to see what it is.

Male or female

Mature females are rounder-bellied, slightly larger and less colourful than males.

Health

Common problems. Tap one to see the signs. This is a guide, not a diagnosis.

Breeding

Egg-scatterer · Easy

Egg-scattering free spawner with no parental care. Use a dim tank with mesh or marbles so eggs fall out of reach; spawning usually happens within 24 hours, then remove the adults.

Pairing

Buy a group of 6 and let them pair up.

Setup

60-100 L tank with marbles or a mop, and plenty of swimming space.

What starts it

Warm water change and good feeding.

Eggs

Eggs hatch in about 24-36 hours; fry swim free a few days later. No sourced egg count.

Raising the fry

Feed infusoria and baby brine shrimp. Grow out in a large tank. Remove adults after spawning.

Common mistakes
  • Leaving adults with eggs
  • Tank too small
  • Overfeeding fry
Full breeding guide, day-by-day plan and simulator →

Where it lives in the wild

RegionSouth and Southeast Asia – India to Myanmar and Thailand
Rivers and lakesRivers of the Western Ghats, northeast India, Bangladesh and Myanmar
HabitatClear, flowing hill streams
Native rangeAbout 1,500 km across
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The story of the giant danio

A large, very active danio from South Asian hill streams that schools near the surface and needs a big, long, lidded tank. Most fish sold under this name are actually Devario malabaricus.

John McClelland described the giant danio in 1839 from India. Reaching about 10 cm, it is one of the larger danios commonly kept. Its speed, love of current and toughness make it a good companion for other active, medium-sized fish.

First described by John McClelland in 1839.

  • It is one of the largest danios, around 10 cm long.
  • It is a strong swimmer that enjoys current.
  • A tight lid is needed because it can jump.

Sources

16 facts checked with sources