Author: (Hamilton, 1822)
FBname: Zebra danio
Comments: Adults inhabit streams, canals, ditches, ponds and beels (Ref. 1479).  Occur in slow-moving to stagnant standing water bodies, particularly rice-fields (Ref. 4832); and lower reaches of streams (Ref. 58912).  Common in rivulets at foot hills (Ref. 41236).  Feed on worms and small crustaceans (Ref. 7020); also on insect larvae.  Breed all year round (Ref. 58913). Appears to be primarily an annual species in the wild, the spawning season starting just before the onset of the monsoon (Ref. 72224).  Domesticated zebrafish live on average 3.5 years, with oldest individuals surviving up to 5.5 years (Ref. 58923). Spawning is induced by temperature and commences at the onset of the monsoon season (Ref. 58913).  Food availability also acts as cue for breeding (Ref. 58913).  Growth rate is a vital guiding environmental factor for sexual differentiation for this species as observed in a study (Ref. 58948).  In this same study, frequency and amount of food prior to and throughout gonadal differentiation period resulted in more individuals differentiating to become females and is more pronounced in hybrid than pure bred groups (Ref. 58948).  Often used for mosquito control (Ref 6351).  Popular for aquarium purposes (Ref. 44325).  Used as a model system (=organism) for developmental biology (Ref. 47810).  Aquarium keeping:  in groups of 5 or more individuals; minimum aquarium size 60 cm (Ref. 51539).