The Glowlight Danio is widely considered one of the most beautiful small freshwater fish available in the hobby. Native to the cool, clear, shallow streams of northern Myanmar in the upper Irrawaddy drainage, this tiny species reaches only 3 cm but makes an outsized visual impact through its extraordinary coloration. The body blazes with a combination of bright orange to red-orange above the lateral line, vivid turquoise to blue-green below, and golden iridescence that shifts under different lighting angles. Males are more intensely colored than females, particularly when in spawning condition. This species was described scientifically only in 2001 and has since become a popular choice among planted tank enthusiasts and nano aquarists. In the wild it inhabits shallow, rocky streams with clear water and gentle current, often in mountainous terrain. In the aquarium it adapts well to a range of conditions but shows its best colors in soft, slightly cool water with good lighting. The Glowlight Danio is entirely peaceful and should be kept with similarly small, non-aggressive species. A school of eight or more in a well-planted aquarium creates an unforgettable display of moving color.
