Giant danio care guide
Also called: Golden giant danio
A big, fast, steel-blue and gold danio that grows to about 10 cm (4 in). Giant danios are peaceful but very active, so they need a group of six or more in a long tank of at least 55 gallons with some current and a tight lid.
Giant danios need a tank of at least 55 gallons (208 L), a group of 6 or more, and water at 21–25°C (70–77°F) with a pH of 6.5–7.8. They grow to about 10 cm (3.9 in) and are peaceful.
Plan a tank with giant daniosSee all tank mates
Giant danio quick facts
| Scientific name | Devario aequipinnatus |
|---|---|
| Family | Danionidae |
| Origin | Hill streams of northern and northeastern India, Nepal and Bangladesh (many shop giant danios are the look-alike Devario malabaricus) |
| Adult size | 10 cm (3.9 in) |
| Minimum tank | 55 gallons (208 L), at least 120 cm (47 in) long |
| Temperature | 21–25°C (70–77°F) |
| pH | 6.5–7.8 |
| Hardness (GH) | 5–15 dGH |
| Group size | 6 or more (schooling fish) |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Swims at | Top |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Care level | Easy |
| Lifespan | 5–7 years |
| Safe with shrimp? | No, eats shrimp |
| Safe with plants? | Yes |
- Known jumper: keep a tight-fitting lid.
Tank setup
Give a group at least a 55-gallon (208 L) tank that is about 120 cm (48 in) long, since they swim fast laps all day. Keep the middle and top open, put plants and rocks around the edges, and use a filter outlet or powerhead to create some current. A tight lid with no gaps is essential.
How many giant danios in a tank?
The smallest common tank that suits giant danios is a 55 gallon. Here is roughly how many fit in each size when they are the only fish, based on adult size and waste output. Leave room if you want tank mates.
| Tank | Giant danios (alone) |
|---|---|
| 3 gallon | Too small |
| 5 gallon | Too small |
| 10 gallon | Too small |
| 15 gallon | Too small |
| 20 gallon | Too small |
| 20 gallon long | Too small |
| 29 gallon | Too small |
| 40 gallon | Too small |
| 55 gallon | 6–18 |
| 75 gallon | 6–25 |
| 125 gallon | 6–43 |
What you need for giant danios
Sized for a 55 gallon tank, the smallest common size that suits a group of 6 giant danios. For a different tank or a mix of fish, use the stocking calculator for a list sized to your plan.
Tank and equipment
- 55 gallon aquarium (tank or kit) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Bigger tanks are more stable and easier for beginners. How to choose
- Aquarium stand for 55 gallons (opens Amazon in a new tab)The water alone weighs about 459 lb (208 kg), before glass, gravel and rock. How to choose
- 2 adjustable heaters, 75 W each (opens Amazon in a new tab)Holds about 73 °F (23 °C) in a room at 65 °F (18 °C). Two heaters keep the tank warm if one fails. How to choose
- Aquarium thermometer (opens Amazon in a new tab)Check it daily: heaters can fail stuck on or off. How to choose
- Hang-on-back filter rated 220–330 GPH (opens Amazon in a new tab)Community tank: 4–6 times the tank volume per hour. How to choose
- About 75 lb of aquarium gravel (opens Amazon in a new tab)Enough for a layer about 2 in (5 cm) deep. Smooth gravel suits most community fish. How to choose
- Water conditioner (dechlorinator) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Removes chlorine and chloramine from tap water. Seachem Prime is a popular, concentrated choice. How to choose
- Liquid test kit (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Liquid kits are more accurate than strips. The API Freshwater Master Test Kit is the common choice. How to choose
- Gravel vacuum (siphon) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Cleans the gravel and does the water change in one go. How to choose
- LED aquarium light, about 48 in long (opens Amazon in a new tab)Match the light to the tank length. Basic LEDs grow easy plants. How to choose
Food and extras for giant danios
- Tropical fish pellets (opens Amazon in a new tab)A good staple for medium community fish.
- Tight-fitting lid for a 55 gallon tank (opens Amazon in a new tab)Giant danio can jump out of an open tank.
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Water parameters
Keep the water at about 21–25 °C (70–77 °F), pH 6.5–7.8 and soft to moderately hard. They come from clear, fast hill streams, so strong filtration and plenty of oxygen matter more than exact chemistry. Regular water changes keep them in top shape.
Best tank mates for giant danios
These popular species share giant danios' water needs and temperament. See the full list of 64 good matches.
Nerite snail
2.5 cm (1 in) · 22–27°C (72–81°F)
Neon tetra
3.5 cm (1.4 in) · 21–25°C (70–77°F)
Panda corydoras
4.5 cm (1.8 in) · 21–25°C (70–77°F)
Bristlenose pleco
12 cm (4.7 in) · 22–26°C (72–79°F)
Bronze corydoras
7 cm (2.8 in) · 21–26°C (70–79°F)
Zebra danio
5 cm (2 in) · 18–25°C (64–77°F)
Assassin snail
2.5 cm (1 in) · 22–27°C (72–81°F)
Ramshorn snail
2 cm (0.8 in) · 21–27°C (70–81°F)
Avoid keeping giant danios with
- Cherry shrimp: Giant danio eats small shrimp like cherry shrimp.
- Oscar: Oscar can eat giant danios: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
- Boesemani rainbowfish: They need different temperatures: Giant danio 21–25°C (70–77°F), boesemani rainbowfish 26–29°C (79–84°F).
- Celestial pearl danio: Giant danio can eat celestial pearl danios: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
- Chili rasbora: Giant danio can eat chili rasboras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
- Chinese algae eater: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful giant danios.
Feeding
Omnivores that mostly eat insects in the wild. A good flake or small pellet makes a fine staple, with frozen or live bloodworms, daphnia, brine shrimp or mysis a few times a week. They are greedy feeders, so make sure slower tankmates get food too.
Behavior
Peaceful toward fish of a similar size but very boisterous, which can stress slow or shy species. They may swallow tiny fish and dwarf shrimp, and some pick at long fins. Good companions are sturdy mid-sized fish such as larger barbs, rainbowfish, loaches, catfish and peaceful cichlids.
Breeding
Egg scatterers that spawn readily in a roomy breeding tank with marbles or clumps of Java moss on the bottom. Remove the adults afterward, as they eat the eggs. Eggs hatch in about 24–36 hours, and the fry start on infusoria before moving on to baby brine shrimp.
Tips from experienced keepers
- Plan for the adult size. Shop fish are small, but adults reach about 10 cm (4 in).
- Keep six or more. Small groups are more nervous and more likely to harass tankmates.
- Skip tiny fish such as celestial pearl danios and chili rasboras, and skip dwarf shrimp.
- Use a tight lid with no gaps around cords and pipes. They jump when startled.
- Add current with the filter outlet or a small powerhead. They love swimming against flow.
Frequently asked questions
How big do giant danios get?
Most reach about 10 cm (4 in) in aquariums, and a few grow a little larger. That makes them about twice the length of a zebra danio.
What size tank do giant danios need?
A group needs at least 55 gallons (208 L) in a tank about 120 cm (48 in) long. Length matters more than height, because they swim fast from end to end.
Are giant danios aggressive?
No, they are peaceful, but they are very active and pushy at feeding time. In groups smaller than six they may chase or nip tankmates, and they can eat very small fish.
Sources
We checked these references when writing this page. Values are for healthy long-term keeping, not survival limits. Last reviewed 2026-10-13. See our editorial policy.