A strikingly colorful and hyperactive nano fish native to the Irrawaddy River drainage in Myanmar. Named for its glowing orange/red horizontal bands and vertical barring. Despite their small size, they are incredibly fast, dynamic swimmers that require a long aquarium with ample swimming space. They must be kept in large schools and are notorious jumpers, so a tight-fitting lid is mandatory.
Glowlight Danio At a Glance
Glowlight Danio Tank Requirements
Will Glowlight Danio fit in your tank?
Care guides tell you what Glowlight Danio needs, the next question is whether your tank can safely provide it. Test Glowlight Danio against your tank size, maintenance needs, and the fish you already keep before you buy.
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Glowlight Danio Water Parameters
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Glowlight Danio Temperament & Compatibility
Glowlight Danio Varieties
Each variety inherits the species defaults above. Only differences are highlighted.
Standard
The standard form available in the aquarium trade. Sold as mixed groups. They thrive in moderate flow mimicking their natural stream habitats and should be kept in groups of at least 6-8 to prevent skittishness and establish a natural social hierarchy.
Same care requirements as the base species
Also known as: Unsexed, Wild Type
Glowlight Danio Care Guide Summary
The Glowlight Danio, scientifically known as Danio choprae, belongs to the Cyprinids family group. Adults reach a maximum size of approximately 3.5 cm and have a fusiform body shape with a moderate growth rate. Classified as peaceful, this species primarily occupies the surface and mid-level zones of the aquarium and produces a low level of biological waste.
To thrive, the Glowlight Danio requires a freshwater only aquarium with a minimum volume of 60 litres and a tank length of at least 60 cm. Water temperature should be maintained between 20°C and 26°C, with a pH range of 6–7.5 and a general hardness of 2–15 dGH. A moderate water flow is preferred.
With modest requirements and a forgiving temperament, the Glowlight Danio is an excellent choice for beginners and seasoned hobbyists alike. The Glowlight Danio is typically available in one standard form.
Glowlight Danio Habitat Setup
When setting up an aquarium for the Glowlight Danio, a moderate water flow best suits their natural preferences. Because this species occupies the surface and mid-level zones, the aquarium layout should prioritise adequate surface area with floating cover to make them feel secure near the waterline and open swimming space in the centre of the tank for free movement. Keepers should note that a tight-fitting lid is essential, as this species is a known jumper.
Glowlight Danio Compatibility Notes
Classified as peaceful, the Glowlight Danio is a schooling species that feels most secure in a sizeable group, where natural shoaling behaviour reduces stress and brings out their best colours. When choosing tankmates, shy or slow-feeding tankmates may be outcompeted at feeding time and their energetic swimming style may stress more sedentary or timid species. Selecting tankmates that favour different water layers from the surface and mid-level zones can help reduce competition and territorial overlap.
Glowlight Danio Recommended Tank Sizes
Standard aquarium sizes that meet the minimum volume and length requirements for Glowlight Danio.
20 Gallon High
20 Gallon Long
29 Gallon Standard
30 Gallon Breeder
36 Gallon Bowfront
40 Gallon Breeder
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Frequently Asked Questions About Glowlight Danio
How big does Glowlight Danio get?
Glowlight Danio (Danio choprae) typically reaches a maximum adult size of approximately 3.5 cm. They have a fusiform body shape and a moderate growth rate.
What tank size does Glowlight Danio need?
A minimum aquarium volume of 60 litres and a tank length of at least 60 cm are recommended for Glowlight Danio. This ensures enough swimming space and helps maintain stable water conditions.
What water parameters does Glowlight Danio need?
Glowlight Danio thrives in freshwater only conditions with a temperature range of 20–26°C, a pH between 6 and 7.5, and a general hardness of 2–15 dGH. A moderate water flow is preferred.
Is Glowlight Danio peaceful or aggressive?
Glowlight Danio is classified as peaceful with an aggression score of 2 out of 10. They are generally well-suited to peaceful community tanks.
How many Glowlight Danio should be kept together?
Glowlight Danio is a schooling species and should be kept in groups of at least 6. Larger groups help distribute aggression and encourage natural schooling behaviour.
Does Glowlight Danio need a lid on the tank?
Yes. Glowlight Danio is a known jumper, and a tight-fitting lid or cover is essential to prevent escape. Even a small gap can be enough for a determined fish to leap out.
Top Tank Mates for Glowlight Danio
These fish are strong compatibility matches for Glowlight Danio based on water preferences, temperament, adult size, and tank behavior.
Gold Spot Pleco (L001 / L022)
Pterygoplichthys joselimaianus
Ideal Tank MatesHillstream Loach
Beaufortia leveretti
Ideal Tank MatesSchwartz's Cory
Corydoras schwartzi
Ideal Tank MatesLeopard Cory
Corydoras leopardus
Ideal Tank MatesHi Fin Peppered Cory
Scleromystax macropterus
Ideal Tank MatesGold Laser Cory
Corydoras sp. 'CW010'
Ideal Tank MatesPlants That Suit Glowlight Danio
These plants pair well with Glowlight Danio based on shared water preferences, layout fit, and how likely they are to hold up in the same aquarium.
African Onion Plant
Crinum calamistratum
Afzel's Anubias
Anubias afzelii
Amazon Sword
Echinodorus amazonicus
Anacharis
Egeria densa
Anubias Barteri
Anubias barteri
Ashy Pipewort
Eriocaulon cinereum
Fish Similar to Glowlight Danio
Glowlight Tetra
Hemigrammus erythrozonus
A peaceful, schooling nano fish native to the Essequibo River basin in South America. They are famous for their translucent bodies and the striking iridescent neon-orange stripe running from snout to tail. They thrive in mature, planted aquariums with slightly soft, acidic water and subdued lighting.
Celestial Pearl Danio (Galaxy Rasbora)
Danio margaritatus
A breathtaking nano fish native to small, vegetated ponds in Myanmar. They feature a midnight blue body covered in pearlescent spots with striking red and black striped fins. CPDs are notoriously shy and require heavily planted aquariums to feel secure. Males will constantly display and mock-spar with each other, so a larger group is essential to disperse this behavior.
Giant Danio
Devario aequipinnatus
The Giant Danio is a robust, incredibly active schooling fish native to fast-flowing streams in South Asia. Known for their striking blue and gold horizontal stripes, they are constantly in motion and require long tanks with strong water flow. Due to their boisterous nature, they make excellent 'dither fish' for mild-mannered cichlids but should not be kept with slow, shy, or long-finned species as they will easily outcompete them for food.
Pearl Danio
Danio albolineatus
A highly active, schooling cyprinid native to the clear, flowing streams of Southeast Asia. Known for their iridescent, pearlescent bodies that shimmer under aquarium lighting with hints of blue, pink, and orange. They are very hardy but require significant horizontal swimming space and a tight-fitting lid due to their notorious jumping ability.
Zebra Danio
Danio rerio
One of the most robust and active aquarium fish available. Native to South Asia, they are a model organism in science due to their genetics. They are extremely active top-level swimmers that must be kept in schools to prevent stress and fin-nipping. They prefer cooler, oxygen-rich water with a current.
Emerald Dwarf Danio
Danio erythromicron
An exquisite, tiny cyprinid endemic to Lake Inle in Myanmar. Known for their striking emerald vertical bands and reddish-orange fins. Because they originate from a slightly alkaline mountain lake, they prefer cooler, harder water than many tropical fish. They are notoriously shy and must be kept in schools in heavily planted tanks with broken sightlines to feel secure.