- Sku: 180092
- Vendor: Squeaky's Aquatics
Longfin Leopard Danio (Danio rerio)
The Longfin Leopard Danio (Danio rerio) is the leopard-spotted form of the classic zebra danio with long, flowing fins, a constellation of blue-gray spots over gold, and the same bulletproof hardiness that makes danios the definitive beginner fish. Peaceful, endlessly active, and happy in unheated tanks, they are perfect first fish for a new setup. Browse the rest of our freshwater livestock for tank mates.
Care Guide
- Tank size: 10 gallons or more, long footprint preferred. Danios are darters that live in the top half of the tank and use every inch of swimming length.
- School them: keep 6 or more. A proper school turns nervous glass-pacing into playful chase games, and the longfins look spectacular in a group.
- Water: 65 to 77°F, pH 6.5 to 7.5. They thrive at room temperature with no heater, and they are famously forgiving of beginner water quality wobbles in a cycled tank.
- Lid required: danios are strong jumpers. Keep a tight-fitting lid or glass top.
- Feeding: completely unfussy omnivores. Quality flake as the staple with occasional frozen or live treats.
Specifications
| Common Name | Longfin Leopard Danio |
| Scientific Name | Danio rerio (leopard longfin form) |
| Max Size | About 2.5 inches |
| Care Level | Beginner |
| Temperament | Peaceful, very active schooler |
| Minimum Tank Size | 10 gallons, group of 6+ |
| Temperature | 65 to 77°F, no heater needed |
| pH | 6.5 to 7.5 |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Origin | Captive bred; species native to South Asia |
| Pickup | In-store pickup only, no shipping on live fish |
Compatibility
An ideal community citizen. Mix a school with the Zebra Danio or Longfin Gold Zebra Danio (they school together happily), plus mid-water friends like the Brilliant Rasbora and bottom dwellers like the Pygmy Cory. Their constant motion can stress very slow, long-finned showpieces like bettas, and known fin nippers should be avoided since those flowing fins make tempting targets.
Recommended Foods & Supplies
- Tetra TetraMin Tropical Flakes, the classic everyday staple
- Ocean Nutrition Freshwater Community Flake for a richer mixed diet
- Seachem NutriDiet Tropical Flakes with probiotics
FAQ
Do they need a heater?
No. Room temperature suits them fine, which makes them one of the few fish genuinely ready for an unheated desktop tank.
How many should I start with?
Six is the working minimum, and eight to ten looks dramatically better.
Will they school with regular zebra danios?
Yes. Leopard, zebra, gold, and longfin forms are all the same species and shoal together seamlessly, so you can mix patterns freely.
Are they good for cycling a new tank?
They are the classic choice for fish-in cycling thanks to their hardiness, though we still recommend cycling first and adding the school to a ready tank.
Have a question?
Longfin Leopard Danio (Danio rerio)
