Devario neilgherriensis

Devario neilgherriensis, the Nilgiri Danio, is a localised endemic of the Nilgiri Hills in Tamil Nadu, southern India. It inhabits cool, clear, fast-flowing hill streams at altitude, making it one of the most restricted-range devarios in the hobby. The body is slender and silvery with faint horizontal banding. In the aquarium its cool-water origins must be respected: temperatures above 24 °C cause rapid deterioration in health. A strong filter with a spray bar providing good surface agitation is essential to maintain high dissolved oxygen levels. The species is rarely offered commercially and is mainly circulated among specialist breeders and enthusiasts with an interest in Indian cyprinid diversity. It is entirely peaceful and can be mixed with other cool-water species from similar habitats.

Water: Temperature 18–24 °C, pH 6.5–7.5, GH 5–12; very high oxygen required; strong flow. Tank: 80 L minimum; hill-stream inspired layout with smooth pebbles, sand, and spray bar. Feeding: Flake, micro-pellet, frozen daphnia and cyclops; high-quality diet essential. Breeding: Cool, well-oxygenated water needed; rare in captivity; egg-scatterer. Compatibility: Cool-water species only; pairs with hillstream loaches and temperate danios.