Danio choprae (Glowlight Danio)

19 July 2026

414

The Glowlight Danio (Danio choprae) is a stunning, highly active freshwater fish native to the Irrawaddy River drainage in Myanmar. Known for its brilliant neon-orange stripe and striking vertical barring, this peaceful schooling fish adds vibrant color and energetic movement to any appropriately sized, well-planted aquarium.

Overview

The Glowlight Danio, scientifically known as Danio choprae (and formerly classified under Celestichthys), is a micro-predator and schooling fish highly prized in the aquarium hobby. Despite its small size, it boasts an incredibly vibrant coloration that almost appears to glow, hence its common name. This fish is incredibly hardy, making it an excellent choice for both beginner and experienced aquarists looking to add a splash of color and non-stop activity to a planted community tank.

Image of glow in the dark danio celestichthys danio choprae

Distribution and Habitat

Endemic to northern Myanmar, specifically the Irrawaddy River drainage in Kachin State, the Glowlight Danio is typically found in small, clear, and highly oxygenated gravel-bottomed streams. These natural habitats are often shaded by dense forest canopies and feature moderate water flow with plenty of rocky structures and submerged vegetation.

Description of Glowlight Danio

Body shape:

They possess a slender, streamlined, and torpedo-like body shape that is characteristic of the Danio genus, perfectly adapted for swift swimming in flowing waters.

Color:

The base coloration is a yellowish-green to silver, overlaid with a brilliant, neon-orange to red longitudinal stripe running down the lateral line. They also feature distinct, dark vertical bars along their flanks, giving them a tiger-like appearance.

Barbels:

Like many cyprinids, they possess small, sensory barbels around their mouth to help locate food, though these are quite short and difficult to see without magnification.

Snout:

The snout is slightly pointed with a terminal mouth, angled slightly upward to facilitate feeding on small insects and larvae in the water column and at the surface.

Eyes:

They have relatively large, alert eyes with a golden or silvery rim, aiding in their visually-oriented hunting of micro-prey.

Fins:

The fins are mostly translucent but are beautifully accented with yellow, orange, or red bands, particularly on the dorsal and anal fins.

The Tail:

The caudal (tail) fin is deeply forked, providing the agility and speed necessary for their highly active lifestyle, often featuring subtle colorful margins.

Temper

This species is entirely peaceful and poses no threat to other tank mates. However, their hyperactive swimming can sometimes stress very shy or slow-moving fish.

Sociality

Glowlight Danios are obligate schooling fish. They must be kept in groups of at least 8 to 10 individuals. In larger groups, they establish a natural pecking order, feel much more secure, and display their most intense, vibrant colors.

Activity

They are exceptionally active and are in near-constant motion. They primarily occupy the middle and upper levels of the aquarium, darting back and forth in playful chases with one another.

Keeping and Caring for Glowlight Danio

Tank size:

Despite their small adult size of only 3 cm, their high activity level means they require a tank of at least 60 liters (15 gallons) to provide adequate swimming space. A longer tank footprint is highly recommended.

Water Parameters:

Temperature

They prefer slightly cooler water than many tropical fish, thriving in temperatures between 16-24°C (60-75°F).

pH

The ideal pH range is slightly acidic to neutral, between 6.0 and 7.5.

Hardness

They are adaptable but do best in soft to moderately hard water, ranging from 2 to 15 dGH.

Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate

Ammonia and Nitrite must always be at 0 ppm. Nitrates should be kept as low as possible, ideally below 20 ppm, through regular water changes.

Lighting

Moderate lighting is preferred. If the lighting is very bright, floating plants can be used to diffuse the light and make the fish feel more secure.

Water flow

Originating from hill streams, they appreciate a moderate to moderately strong water flow. A powerhead or a strong filter return can simulate their natural environment.

Decorations and Plants

A heavily planted aquarium with dark substrate will make their neon colors pop. Provide dense background and midground plants, driftwood, and smooth river stones, while leaving a wide-open swimming area in the center of the tank.

Diet

In the wild, they are micro-predators feeding on small insects, worms, and zooplankton. In the aquarium, they are unfussy omnivores. They will readily accept high-quality crushed flakes and micro-pellets. To maintain their best health and coloration, their diet should be supplemented with small live or frozen foods such as Daphnia, baby brine shrimp (Artemia), and Cyclops.

Some Feeding Tips

Because they have small mouths, ensure all prepared foods are ground down to an appropriate size. Feed them small amounts 1 to 2 times daily, only offering what they can completely consume in under two minutes.

Breeding

Glowlight Danios are egg-scatterers that show no parental care. To breed them, set up a separate, dimly lit breeding tank with a mesh bottom or a thick layer of Java Moss where the non-adhesive eggs can fall out of the parents' reach. Condition a pair or a small group with live foods, and introduce them to the breeding tank. Spawning usually occurs in the early morning. Once eggs are spotted, remove the adult fish immediately, or they will eat their own eggs. The fry will hatch in 2-3 days and require infusoria or liquid fry food until they are large enough to accept baby brine shrimp.

Conclusion

The Glowlight Danio (Danio choprae) is an incredibly rewarding fish to keep. Their striking neon coloration, hardiness, and energetic schooling behavior make them a lively centerpiece for any planted aquarium. As long as they are provided with clean, well-oxygenated water and a group of their own kind, they will thrive and bring endless fascination to your aquascape.

Fish info

Care level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Adult size: 3 cm
Life expectancy: 3-5 years
Fish type: Cyprinid
Temperature : 16-24°C
pH: 6.0-7.5
Color Form: Black, Green, Orange, Yellow

Related on Fishs

Leave your comments

Latest on Fishs

Dwarf Gourami Red (Trichogaster lalius)

Easy - Moderate

Asian labyrinth fish

The red dwarf gourami is a selectively bred color form of the dwarf gourami, a small labyrinth fish formerly widely known as Colisa lalia. It is suited to mature, planted community aquariums with gentle water movement and calm tank mates. Males can be territorial, especially when kept with females in confined conditions, so cover, visual barriers, and careful observation are important for a pair.
Cockatoo Cichlid Red (Apistogramma cacatuoides)

Moderate

South American dwarf cichlid

The Cockatoo Cichlid is a small South American dwarf cichlid valued for its personality, breeding behavior and colorful finnage. Apistogramma cacatuoides is generally adaptable when provided with clean, stable water, cover and a soft substrate. Males are larger and more vividly marked than females, while pairs become territorial around spawning sites. The supplied “red” designation most likely refers to a selectively bred color form; exact strain and sex confirmation cannot be established from the listing alone.
Discus (Symphysodon aequifasciatus) Care Guide

Difficult

South American freshwater cichlid

Symphysodon aequifasciatus is a large, laterally compressed cichlid from the Amazon Basin, valued for its calm behavior and striking disc-shaped body. It requires warm, clean, stable water and careful feeding, making it better suited to experienced aquarists. The supplied images show yellow, orange, red, white and dark color forms; cultivated strains can vary considerably, so exact variety identification from images alone is uncertain. Discus are social fish and generally thrive in groups rather than as isolated specimens.
Cape Lopez Killifish (Aphyosemion australe)

Moderate

West African non-annual killifish

The Cape Lopez killifish is a small, peaceful West African freshwater fish prized for its patterned body, flowing fins and manageable size. It inhabits slow-moving and temporary waters around coastal Gabon, including the Cape Lopez region. The supplied trade description identifies a pair as “Cape Lopez splendid carpets,” but this wording may describe a commercial strain rather than a formally recognized taxon. The image appears to show an orange form, so exact strain identification should be confirmed with the breeder or supplier.
Burton’s Mouthbrooder (Astatotilapia burtoni)

Moderate

East African haplochromine cichlid

Burton’s mouthbrooder, Astatotilapia burtoni, is a moderately aggressive East African haplochromine cichlid known for strong social hierarchies and maternal mouthbrooding. Males become more vividly patterned and defend territories, while females are generally less colorful and carry eggs and fry in the mouth. A pair requires a spacious, well-filtered aquarium with rocky cover, alkaline water and carefully selected tank mates. The supplied identification is consistent with Astatotilapia burtoni, although sex and locality form cannot be confirmed from the photographs alone.
Cyrtocara moorii (Blue Dolphin Cichlid) Care Guide

Moderate

Lake Malawi haplochromine cichlid

Cyrtocara moorii is a large, distinctive haplochromine cichlid from Lake Malawi, recognised for its blue adult coloration and rounded forehead, which becomes more pronounced with age. It is a maternal mouthbrooder and is generally less aggressive than many Malawi mbuna, but its size and territorial breeding behaviour require a spacious aquarium. The supplied images appear consistent with blue C. moorii, although photographs cannot confirm sex, locality, or whether the fish form a true bonded pair.
Blue Dwarf Gourami Pair (Trichogaster lalius)

Easy - Moderate

Peaceful labyrinth fish

The blue dwarf gourami is a selectively colored form of a small labyrinth fish native to the Indian subcontinent. It spends much of its time in the upper and middle aquarium, using its specialized labyrinth organ to breathe atmospheric air. Males can become territorial, especially when nesting, so a planted aquarium with calm tank mates, gentle flow, and surface cover is important. The supplied name uses Trichopodus lalius; Trichogaster lalius is the commonly used current combination.
Blue Acara (Aequidens pulcher)

Moderate

South American freshwater cichlid

The supplied label identifies these fish as Blue Acara, Aequidens pulcher, a South American freshwater cichlid often placed in the genus Andinoacara in current aquarium literature. The photograph is consistent with a blue acara, although a definitive identification cannot be confirmed from one image alone. This pair requires a spacious aquarium, stable water quality, hiding places and careful observation during breeding, when territorial behavior becomes stronger.
Julidochromis transcriptus: Black-and-White Slender Cichlid

Moderate

Lake Tanganyika rock-dwelling cichlid

Julidochromis transcriptus is a small rock-dwelling cichlid from Lake Tanganyika, recognized by its compact, elongated body and irregular black-and-white pattern. It is a territorial cave dweller that is best kept as an established pair in a carefully structured aquarium. The supplied fish are identified as a DNZ pair, although sex, collection locality, and precise geographic form cannot be verified from the supplied material alone.
Azur Cichlid (Sciaenochromis fryeri) Care Guide

Moderate

Lake Malawi haplochromine cichlid

The Azur cichlid is commonly sold as Sciaenochromis fryeri, a predatory haplochromine cichlid from Lake Malawi. Mature males develop vivid electric-blue coloration, while females and juveniles are generally less intensely colored. This fish is moderately aggressive and needs a spacious aquarium with rocky structure, alkaline, mineral-rich water, and carefully selected tank mates. The supplied source describes a DNZ pair, but sex and exact locality cannot be confirmed from the images alone. Identification confidence is therefore good but not absolute.
Marble Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare)

Moderate

South American freshwater cichlid

The marble angelfish is a captive-bred color form of Pterophyllum scalare, a tall-bodied South American cichlid valued for its elegant fins and distinctive irregular black patterning. It needs a mature, spacious aquarium with excellent water quality, warm water and suitable tank mates. Although generally manageable, adults establish territories and may become assertive when pairing or spawning. The supplied source identifies two marble angelfish; exact lineage and strain details cannot be confirmed from the available information.
Gold Angelfish, Pterophyllum scalare

Moderate

Freshwater South American cichlid

The Gold Angelfish is an ornamental colour form of Pterophyllum scalare, a tall-bodied South American cichlid valued for its graceful movement and parental care. It needs a mature, spacious aquarium with substantial vertical clearance, stable warm water and carefully chosen tank mates. The supplied source identifies two fish as Gold Angelfish, although the accompanying images show several angelfish colour and fin forms, so the exact appearance of the supplied specimens cannot be confirmed from the images alone.
Zebra Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare)

Moderate

South American freshwater cichlid

The Zebra Angelfish is a selectively bred form of Pterophyllum scalare, recognised by a silvery body with several dark vertical bars and the tall, laterally compressed shape typical of freshwater angelfish. The supplied images also show other angelfish colour forms, so the exact appearance of the listed pair cannot be confirmed from the image set alone. This South American cichlid is generally manageable for experienced community keepers, but its size, territorial breeding behaviour and need for a tall aquarium should be planned for carefully.
Black Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare)

Moderate

South American freshwater cichlid

The supplied record identifies two black angelfish, most likely a domestic color form of Pterophyllum scalare. The photographs show several angelfish color patterns, so they should not be treated as proof that every pictured fish is black or that all belong to the same strain. Black angelfish retain the tall, laterally compressed body and extended fins typical of freshwater angelfish. They need a tall, mature aquarium, stable warm water, a varied diet, and carefully selected tank mates.
White Marble Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare)

Moderate

Freshwater cichlid

The white marble angelfish is a selectively bred aquarium color form of Pterophyllum scalare, a tall-bodied South American cichlid valued for its elegant fins and distinctive irregular dark marbling. It is generally peaceful when young but can become territorial, especially when paired for spawning. Successful care depends on a tall aquarium, excellent water quality, suitable tank mates, and a varied carnivorous-omnivorous diet. The exact genetic strain shown cannot be confirmed from photographs alone.
Freshwater Angelfish Mix (Pterophyllum scalare)

Moderate

Freshwater cichlid

Freshwater angelfish are tall-bodied South American cichlids valued for their graceful movement and wide range of captive color forms. The supplied source identifies a mixed group as Pterophyllum scalare; the photographs show several forms, including striped, black, orange, white, silver and blue-toned fish. They are manageable for experienced beginners, but their adult height, territorial breeding behavior and tendency to eat small tank mates require thoughtful aquarium planning.