Care
The Giraffe Danio is an undescribed species collected from Myanmar, and has been in the trade since around 2007. This medium sized danionin is best suited to large sub-tropical river type aquaria with decent current and high level of oxygenation. Giraffe Danios are generally quite peaceful, although they tend to be rather boisterous at feeding times; slow, shy, and long-finned tankmates are best avoided. As a shoaling species, these fish should be maintained in groups of 6 or more (10+ is better if space allows). The tank should be furnished with smooth rocks (pebbles, cobbles etc) as well as tangles of driftwood. Robust plants that are able to cope with some current, such as Java Fern (Microsorum spp.) and Anubias spp. could be tied onto the wood. A spacious swimming area should be left along the front of the aquarium for these active fish to enjoy. As riverine fish that are used to continual fresh, clean waters being conveyed to them, regular partial water changes on the aquarium are absolutely essential as they are very sensitive to the build-up of organic wastes. Good companions could include many of the subtropical loaches (nemacheilids or botiids), catfish, Garra spp., Barilius/Opsarius spp., bitterlings etc. Be sure that the tank has tight fitting coverslides with no gaps where equipment feeds into the aquarium, as these fish are accomplished jumpers.
May also be seen on sale as Burmese Red Giraffe Danio.
Feeding
Offer a variety of small meaty foods such as frozen bloodworm, white mosquito larvae, daphnia, vitamin-enriched brineshrimp, Mysis shrimp etc. plus a good quality flake.
Breeding
Should be fairly straightforward to breed, using techniques suited to similar species. A separate aquarium should be set up with a substrate of marbles and large clumps of Java moss. Once spawning has ceased, the parent fish should be acclimatised back to the main aquarium in order to prevent them predating on the eggs.
