Choprae Danio

Danio choprae, the Glowlight or Choprae Danio, is a small and brilliantly coloured danio native to the clear, fast-flowing hill streams of northern Myanmar. Its body is decorated with alternating bands of vivid orange and iridescent blue that appear to glow under warm aquarium lighting, making it one of the most visually impressive members of its genus despite its diminutive size.

In the aquarium it is an active, constantly moving fish that does best in groups of at least eight individuals. It is entirely peaceful and mixes well with other small, non-aggressive community species. A well-planted tank with some open swimming space and gentle to moderate flow suits it perfectly.

Spawning is relatively straightforward for experienced fishkeepers; the fish scatter adhesive eggs over fine-leaved plants or moss, and the fry are small but manageable. Water quality should be maintained with regular partial water changes to keep the fish in peak colour.

Water: Temperature 20–26°C, pH 6.5–7.5, soft to moderately hard; pristine water quality essential for best colouration. Tank: Minimum 40 L, heavily planted with fine-leaved plants; gentle to moderate current replicating hill-stream conditions. Feeding: Micro-pellets, small flake, and frozen micro-foods such as cyclops and baby brine shrimp; varied diet maintains vivid colour. Breeding: Egg-scatterer over fine plants or Java moss; condition with live foods and cool the water slightly to trigger spawning. Compatibility: Peaceful with all similarly sized non-aggressive fish; ideal companions include small rasboras, micro-tetras, and Corydoras.