How to Breed the Longfin Leopard Danio

Even among the expert aquarists and scientific community, there's some confusion about the taxonomy of the many danio species of fish. According to "500 Freshwater Aquarium Fish, the zebra danio and leopard danio are one species (Brachydanio rerio), with different varieties, such as the zebra or leopard pattern, and the long-fin variety. Others believe the zebra and leopard are two distinct species. Either way, these are an easy fish to start with for beginning fish breeders, as it is more difficult to get them to stop breeding.

Things You'll Need

  • Aquatic plants
  • Tank heater
  • Separate tanks
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Instructions

    • 1

      Stock your tank with a school of about five to 10 adult leopard or zebra danios that have the long fin. Zebra and leopard danios will breed with each other and produce offspring that likewise can breed and produce offspring. This is one argument in favor of these fish being of the same species. Choose danios with the color pattern you prefer, and the long fin to get fry with the long-fin trait. The authors of "Freshwater Aquariums for Dummies" report that these fish do not survive for long if not kept in a school.

    • 2

      Maintain the water temperature between 64 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit by adjusting the tank heater as needed.

    • 3

      Plant several aquatic plants in one area of the tank to create a thicket. The danios will scatter its eggs in the gravel and among the thicket.

    • 4

      Remove the adult danios from the tank, if you want most of the eggs to survive once they have been laid. The eggs will hatch in about 48 hours. You can leave the adults with the fry; however the adults will eat the ones they can catch. Fry that hide among the plants will have the best chance for survival when kept in the tank with their parents.