The Bengal Danio is a sizable and lively member of the Devario genus, found across a broad swathe of South Asia including the rivers and streams of northern India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. It grows to approximately 12 cm, making it one of the larger danios available to hobbyists. Its body is streamlined and compressed, displaying a blue to silver background with a series of golden to yellow horizontal stripes, and fins that may show yellowish coloration in dominant males. Like all danios, the Bengal Danio is an inveterate surface and mid-water swimmer, perpetually in motion and most at ease in a large school. It is wholly peaceful and poses no threat to other fish, making it a great candidate for community aquaria with other medium to larger peaceful species. Originating from rivers and lakes that can vary significantly in temperature through the seasons, it is notably tolerant of cooler water, with a lower temperature threshold of 15°C making it suitable for unheated aquaria in moderate climates. The Bengal Danio is an omnivore that readily accepts all standard aquarium foods. Its combination of hardiness, size, peace, and adaptability makes it a worthwhile but somewhat underappreciated species in the hobby.
