Leopard Danio - Long Fin - Danio rerio

Leopard Danio - Long Fin (Danio rerio)

The Long Fin Leopard Danio is a lively freshwater shoaling fish with spotted leopard-style patterning, extended flowing fins and a hardy, active nature. This captive-bred form of Danio rerio is ideal for peaceful community aquariums, especially where a colourful, energetic mid-to-upper level fish is wanted. It is easy to feed and adaptable, but it should be kept in a proper group with enough swimming space.

Common Name:
Leopard Danio Long Fin, Long Fin Leopard Danio, Leopard Danio, Spotted Danio, Longfin Zebra Danio

Scientific Name (Latin):
Danio rerio

Older / Trade Name:
Danio rerio var. “frankei”, Brachydanio frankei, Brachydanio rerio

Strain / Form:
Long Fin Leopard captive-bred form

Maximum Size:
Approximately 4–5 cm

Water Type:
Freshwater

Origin / Natural Habitat:
Wild Danio rerio are native to South Asia, where they occur in freshwater habitats such as streams, ditches, ponds, rice-field margins and slow to moderately flowing waters.

The Long Fin Leopard Danio is a captive-bred ornamental form rather than a wild colour form.

In the aquarium, it does best in a mature setup with open swimming space, plants around the sides or background, gentle to moderate flow and a secure lid.

Water Parameters:
Temperature: 18–26°C
pH Range: 6.5–7.8
Hardness: Soft to moderately hard
Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm
Nitrate: Kept low and stable
Flow: Gentle to moderate preferred

Temperament:
Peaceful but very active

Long Fin Leopard Danios are peaceful shoaling fish, but they are fast-moving and energetic.

They should be kept in groups to reduce nervousness and spread natural chasing behaviour within the shoal.

Because of their activity level, they are not ideal companions for very timid, slow-moving or delicate long-finned fish.

Diet:
Omnivore / Small Food Feeder

Long Fin Leopard Danios are easy to feed and will accept a wide range of small foods.

Offer quality tropical flakes, micro pellets and small floating or slow-sinking foods as the staple diet.

Supplement with daphnia, brineshrimp, bloodworm, cyclops, mosquito larvae and finely crushed frozen foods.

A varied diet helps support colour, condition and fin quality.

Minimum Tank Size:
Approximately 60 litres for a small group

A longer aquarium is preferred over a very tall tank, as this species is an active swimmer.

Larger aquariums are recommended for bigger groups or mixed community setups.

Behaviour & Activity:
The Long Fin Leopard Danio spends much of its time swimming in the upper and middle levels of the aquarium.

A group will actively move through open water, displaying, chasing lightly and feeding eagerly.

The long fins create a more flowing appearance than standard Leopard Danios, but the fish is still active and needs swimming room.

Community Suitability:
Active Community Fish

The Long Fin Leopard Danio is suitable for peaceful community aquariums with fish that can tolerate active tankmates.

Suitable tankmates include other danios, White Cloud Mountain Minnows, peaceful barbs, rasboras, many tetras, corydoras, bristlenose plecos, hillstream loaches in suitable conditions and other active community fish.

Avoid very timid nano fish, slow long-finned species such as fancy guppies or male Bettas, aggressive fish, fin-nippers and any fish large enough to eat them.

Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Keep this species in a group of at least 6, with 8 or more preferred where space allows.

Provide open swimming space and a secure lid, as danios are active and may jump when startled.

Long-finned forms should be kept away from fin-nipping tankmates.

This species is adaptable, but stable water quality and regular water changes are still important.

Avoid keeping them in very warm aquariums long term, as they do best in cooler tropical to temperate conditions.

They are egg-scattering fish and show no parental care, so eggs or fry may be eaten in a normal community aquarium.

Suitable for:
Beginner to intermediate

Availability:
Common to occasional, depending on season and supplier.

All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.