Pet Wiki

Not furry, but we like them anyway.

Orange-finned Danio

Danio kyathit

Also called Ocelot danio

SpeciesShort profile

From Northern Myanmar: upper Irrawaddy (Ayeyarwady) drainage around Myitkyina in Kachin State, in small shaded forest streams123

At a glance the quick version

Length3.5 to 6 cm213
Sizesmall

FishBase gives 3.5 cm SL, Seriously Fish about 4.5 cm SL and Wikipedia up to 6 cm

Very peaceful
Bright orange fins
Tolerates a wide temperature range
1

Looks how to spot one

Slender, elongated scaled cyprinid

A small, streamlined danio with two pairs of long barbels. Some fish carry neat horizontal stripes along the flanks while others show a wavy or spotted pattern, and the fins glow orange to red. Females are a little larger and rounder than males.123

Coloursgolden-creamdark blue-grey stripes or spotsorange to red fins13

Personality what they are like

Calm and friendly towards other fish, it suits a well-planted community tank. It shows its best behaviour and colour when kept in a decent-sized group.1

Daily activity how busy a day looks

A lively schooling fish that uses the whole tank and appreciates open swimming room plus gentle water movement.1

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Keep the water clean and well oxygenated with regular partial changes. It is a skilled jumper, so a tight-fitting lid is a must.1

Home where they are happiest

A tank with a base of at least 90 x 30 cm (about 81 litres). Temperature 16-26 °C, pH 6.5-7.5, soft water around 1-5 °H. Stones, gravel and plants along the edges echo its shaded home streams.1

Food basics what goes in the bowl

In the wild it mostly eats insects and their larvae. It takes most aquarium foods; small live or frozen foods such as bloodworm and Artemia alongside good dried food bring out the best colour.1

Company who they like around

Keep a group of at least 8-10. Good companions are other small, peaceful fish such as tetras, livebearers, rainbowfish and small cyprinids.1

The story where it all began

Fang Fang described this danio in 1998 from streams near Myitkyina in northern Myanmar. It is a close relative of the zebra danio, and the striped orange-finned form has since been studied as a separate lineage from the spotted ocelot form.231

Fun facts for the dinner table

  1. 1

    Its species name kyathit is the Burmese word for leopard, a nod to its spotted pattern.1

  2. 2

    It is a close cousin of the famous zebra danio, the zebrafish used in science labs.3

  3. 3

    It has two pairs of long barbels, longer than those of the zebra danio.2

  4. 4

    Its wild streams run under bamboo forest that shades more than 80 percent of the water.2

Recognised by the official bits

IUCN Red List
Assessed as Near Threatened (January 2010)2
FishBase
Described by Fang in 19982

The care rhythm a typical week and year

A typical home-care rhythm for an Orange-finned Danio. A starting point, not a vet's advice.

Owner questions the things everyone asks

How often should I feed my Orange-finned Danio?

Feed your Orange-finned Danio small amounts once or twice a day. This keeps them healthy and brings out their best colours. Furry Diary's starting plan suggests daily feeding in small portions.1 Pet Wiki plan

What does an Orange-finned Danio eat, and what should it never eat?

In the wild they eat insects and larvae, so offer small live or frozen foods like bloodworm and Artemia alongside a good dried food. Avoid anything too large or hard; for a complete list of unsafe foods, ask your vet.1

How much space does an Orange-finned Danio need?

A tank with a base of at least 90 x 30 cm (about 81 litres) is recommended. This gives them plenty of open swimming room to stay active and happy.1

What temperature, light or water does an Orange-finned Danio need?

Keep the water temperature between 16-26°C, pH 6.5-7.5, and soft water around 1-5°H. Gentle water movement and a well-planted tank with shaded areas mimic their natural home streams.1

How often should I clean an Orange-finned Danio's home?

Perform a 25% water change every week, clean the glass weekly, and rinse the filter monthly in old tank water. Regular partial changes keep the water clean and well oxygenated.1 Pet Wiki plan

Can an Orange-finned Danio live with others?

Yes, they are calm and friendly. Keep a group of at least 8-10, and they will get along well with other small peaceful fish like tetras, livebearers, rainbowfish and small cyprinids.1

How long does an Orange-finned Danio live?

Lifespan varies depending on care and environment. For a typical range, ask a good breeder or an exotic-pet vet.

Can I handle an Orange-finned Danio?

Handling fish is generally not recommended as it can stress them. For specific advice on safe handling, consult a vet or experienced breeder.

Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Pet Wiki's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.

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Zebra DanioPearl Danio

Where this comes from

Every fact on this page has a numbered source. Spotted an error? [email protected].

  1. Seriously Fish - Danio kyathit seriouslyfish.comused for origin, size, tank and water parameters, diet, behaviour, appearance, name meaning
  2. FishBase - Danio kyathit fishbase.seused for author/year, IUCN status, size, habitat, barbels
  3. Wikipedia - Orange-finned Danio en.wikipedia.orgused for other names, size, relation to zebra danio, colour forms

Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.