Inle Danio

Adult Inle Danios reach 6–8 cm in length. They have a silvery colouration with attractive orange tones. The body bears short vertical stripes running from the head to the tail. Sexual dimorphism is poorly expressed, making it difficult to tell males from females.

This fish originates from Southeast Asia, specifically from the secluded Inle Lake in Shan State, eastern Myanmar (Burma). The lake is famous for its many endemic species and is an important landmark of the region. Situated in a karst valley at 900 metres above sea level, Inle Lake has clear water and is relatively shallow, with depths of 2–3 metres in most places. The bottom is covered with silty substrates. The water surface is decorated with floating "plant islands"—clusters of various plants that shelter many aquatic inhabitants.

This active and peaceful fish coexists well with other non-aggressive species of comparable size. Inle Danios prefer to live in a group of 8–10 individuals. If their numbers fall below this, other tank inhabitants may begin to harass them.

For a group of 8–10 Inle Danios, a tank of at least 110 litres is optimal. When setting up the tank, use soft substrate and abundant rooted and floating plants. Lighting should be moderate. Keep water movement to a minimum. The key to successful keeping is maintaining high water quality within acceptable ranges of temperature, pH and dGH. Beyond regular tank maintenance such as water changes and removal of organic waste, install an effective filtration system—preferably an external filter. Such models avoid excessive flow while delivering the best water quality.

This species is undemanding in its diet. In the home aquarium, these fish readily consume most standard aquarium foods. Their daily diet can be based on dry foods such as flakes and pellets. If possible, you can add live or frozen foods to their diet, such as Daphnia, brine shrimp, bloodworms and others.

Under favourable conditions, spawning can occur quite regularly. The females scatter their eggs among aquatic plants, and the males fertilise them immediately. The incubation period lasts approximately 24 hours; two days later, the fry are free-swimming. Parental care is absent in this species; the fish do not guard their eggs or young. Moreover, given the chance, they will eat both their own eggs and fry. Only a few fry survive to adulthood. To improve fry survival, move them promptly to a separate tank with similar water conditions. Such a tank is usually equipped with a simple air-lift filter and a heater; no additional lighting is needed.

In a balanced aquarium environment suited to this species' needs, disease is rare. Most ailments result from poor conditions, contact with sick fish, or physical injury. If a fish shows obvious signs of disease, apply medical treatment.

When buying, choose active, mobile fish that school together and show interest in their surroundings. Avoid fish with damaged fins, signs of emaciation, marks on the body, or unusual behaviour such as lethargy or constant surfacing. Given the rarity of this species, ensure there are no obvious signs of stress from transport or poor shop conditions. If possible, buy a group of 8–10 individuals at once, as social adaptation within the school significantly reduces stress in these fish. Before purchase, check that the fish do not have sunken bellies, which may indicate feeding problems or parasites.