Scientific Name
Danio rerio
Common Name
Zebra danio
Biology
Adults inhabit streams, canals, ditches, ponds and beels. Occur in slow-moving to stagnant standing water bodies, particularly rice-fields ; and lower reaches of streams. Common in rivulets at foot hills. Feed on worms and small crustaceans ; also on insect larvae. Breed all year round. Appears to be primarily an annual species in the wild, the spawning season starting just before the onset of the monsoon. Domesticated zebrafish live on average 3.5 years, with oldest individuals surviving up to 5.5 years. Spawning is induced by temperature and commences at the onset of the monsoon season. Food availability also acts as cue for breeding. Growth rate is a vital guiding environmental factor for sexual differentiation for this species as