Dadiburjor's Hatchet Chela

Chela dadiburjori is a small and slender surface-dwelling danionid from the rivers and streams of northeastern India, where it inhabits clear, moderately flowing waters over sandy and silty substrates. It is named in honour of the Iranian-born Indian naturalist Phiroze Dadiburjor, and is one of the less frequently exported members of its genus.

In the aquarium it shares the surface-oriented habits of its relatives, swimming near the water's surface in a loose school. Its body is highly translucent with a silvery sheen, and under good lighting the upper flanks display a delicate iridescent quality. It is a gentle, undemanding species that benefits from a planted aquarium with some surface cover.

For aquarists interested in South Asian cyprinids beyond the standard barb and danio species, Chela dadiburjori represents an accessible and interesting choice that requires no specialist care beyond a secure lid and clean water.

Water: Temperature 20–26°C, pH 6.0–7.5, GH 5–15; good water quality maintained with regular partial water changes. Tank: Minimum 50 L; tight lid essential; some floating plants for cover; gentle flow; sand or fine gravel substrate. Feeding: Floating flake, micro-pellets, and small live or frozen foods; prefers surface-delivered food but will accept mid-column feeding. Breeding: Egg-scatterer; rarely bred in captivity; standard surface-spawning danionid approach may work. Compatibility: Peaceful with all small community fish; ideal with similarly sized rasboras, small tetras, and nano loaches.