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Moustached danio (Danio dangila) — Cyprinidae

Moustached danio

Danio dangila
Family: Cyprinidae

The Moustached danio (Danio dangila) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, India, Nepal

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Description

The Moustached danio is a small cyprinid (Danionidae) from fresh water of the Ganges and Brahmaputra basins in South Asia. The species grows to about 15 cm and has a slender, streamlined body. It is one of the largest danios, with a silvery body, golden longitudinal lines and a dark spot behind the gill cover. As a lively schooling fish it swims in clear, flowing streams near the surface and eats small insects, larvae and zooplankton. The fish is harmless to humans and is popular in the aquarium trade.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Moustached danio?

The Moustached danio has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Moustached danio live?

The Moustached danio lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Asia: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, India, Nepal

How big does the Moustached danio get?

The Moustached danio grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Moustached danio dangerous to humans?

No, the Moustached danio is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Moustached danio (Danio dangila) — Cyprinidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Frank M. Greco, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Moustached danio (Danio dangila) — Cyprinidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Robert Mintern (Public domain)
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All data

Identification

English name
Moustached danio sourced
Scientific name
Danio dangila
Family
Cyprinidae
Other names
Olive danio; Dangila danio verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
15.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Asia: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, India, Nepal sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Invertebrates, algae and detritus inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Danio

More from the family Cyprinidae

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