Danio Analipunctatus 



ERNEST LEITHOLF 



1 



Clean cut, attractively colored, lively 

 and well disposed towards other inhabi- 

 tants of an aquarium, Danio analipunc- 

 tatus, a native of Rangoon, India, is rap- 

 idly equalling the more familiar Danio 

 rerio in popularity. Both sexes are alike 

 in the distribution of the colors. The 

 back is olive ; sides with a silvery lateral 

 stripe suffused with orange and bor- 

 dered above and below with blue lines, 

 the lower one somewhat broader and 

 iridescent. The lines are carried faintly 

 through the caudal fin. Abdomen sil- 

 very, with a row of blue spots that ter- 

 minate in a cluster at the base of the 

 anal fin, which is spotted, and from 

 which the species derives the specific 

 name analipunctatus, meaning "spotted 

 anal." Ventral, anal and dorsal fins 

 edged with grayish white, the first two 

 faintly spotted ; pectorals colorless. 



This species makes no particular de- 

 mands as far as maintenance is con- 

 cerned. When short of space I have used 

 aquaria holding less than a gallon, and 

 they seemed content and proceeded to 

 spawn. A large, well-planted tank is, of 

 course, to be preferred. Neither are they 

 exacting in the matter of foods, as they 

 will readily partake of the usual prepared 

 kinds. To insure virile spawn, and when- 

 even obtainable, Daphne, larvae of mos- 

 quitoes, and other live foods should be 

 furnished. 



Spawning occurs every two or three 

 days for a period of several weeks, and, 

 after a rest interval of a week or two, 

 will happen again and so on throughout 

 the greater part of the summer. Though 

 smaller than the other species of the 



genus, its eggs are the largest, and for 

 this reason it is not as prolific in so far as 

 the number of eggs in a single delivery 

 are concerned. While courting the fish 

 are exceedingly active, and playfully 

 chase each other incessantly, but do not 

 indulge in fin-mauling, to which many 

 fishes are addicted. While forcing her 



Danio analipunctatus 



way through the dense growth of plants, 

 the female expells or "sprays" the non- 

 adhesive eggs, which may number from 

 several to a dozen or more. The male 

 manages to "do his bit" by being near 

 his mate to fertilize the eggs before they 

 reach the bottom. The orgasm is re- 

 peated several times during the day. The 

 eggs will hatch thirty-six hours to four 

 days later, according to the temperature, 

 which should be about 75 degrees Fah- 

 renheit. Unable to swim freely for a day 

 or two, the young hang upon the plants 

 and sides of the tank. From this time, 

 and until large enough to eat tiny 

 Daphne, they need an abundant supply 

 of microsopic life. 



