Barred Danio

Devario pathirana differs from all its congeners by the combination of the following characters: body consisting of 8-9 dark, irregular bars between pectoral-fin origin and caudal-peduncle origin; absence of P+1 and P-1 stripes; body depth 30-33 %SL; snout length less than eye diameter; 14-15 predorsal scales; dorsal fin with 11½-12½ branched rays; anal fin with 14½ branched rays; a blunt, knob-like process on 1st infraorbital; presence of danionin notch; origin of dorsal fin to hypural distance when carried forward reaching middle of eye; pectoral fin, when adpressed, just reaching origin of pelvic fin (Ref. 118056).Description: Dorsal fin with 3 simple and 11-12 branched rays; anal fin with 3 simple and 13-15 branched rays; pectoral fin with one simple and 11-13 branched rays; and pelvic fin with one simple and 7 branched rays (Ref. 6874).

Dorsal soft rays (total): 14 - 15; Analsoft rays: 16 - 18

Occurs in still pools to swift flowing streams with pebble or boulder substrates, seldom over sand. Has not been found in silted rivulets flowing into mainstream. More sedentary than D. malabaricus. Forms groups of 3-5 individuals slowly moving near the surface. Probably feeds on insects.

Occurs in still pools to swift flowing streams with pebble or boulder substrates, seldom over sand. Has not been found in silted rivulets flowing into mainstream. More sedentary than D. malabaricus. Forms groups of 3-5 individuals slowly moving near the surface. Probably feeds on insects. Aquarium fish exporters voluntarily refrained from collecting this species until it was better understood and bred commercially. Collected in moderate numbers.

fisheries: of no interest; aquaculture: commercial; aquarium: commercial

The barred danio (Devario pathirana) is a fish belonging to the minnow family (Cyprinidae). Originating in Sri Lanka, this fish grows to a maximum length of 2 inches (6 cm).

In the wild, the barred danio is understood to be critically endangered, but is freely available from captive-bred stock. Typically, the fish prefer water with a 6.0-8.0 pH, a water hardness of 5.0-19.0 dGH, and an ideal temperature range of 69-79 °F (20-26 °C). Its diet consists of annelid worms, small crustaceans, and insects. The barred danio is oviparous (an egg layer), and is found mostly in the Nilwala River basin.