Malabar danio are oviparous, and spawn in shallow water after heavy rains among the plants growing on the bottom. An adult will spawn around 200 light-orange, sticky eggs that will hatch in one to two days. The fry will be free-swimming after the fifth day. The parents must be removed from aquaria to prevent them from eating the eggs. The species was earlier incorrectly considered a synonym of "Devario aequipinnatus", which is a valid name for a different species. Malabar danio The Malabar danio ("Devario malabaricus") is a tropical fish belonging to the minnow family (Cyprinidae). Originating in Sri Lanka and the
Danio margaritatus with a markedly blunt snout, measuring just 2–2.5 cm standard length. The body is about three times as long as it is high. In general shape, it resembles "Danio erythromicron" more than any other known species. This species shows some sexual dimorphism: males have a bright-blue background color (dull blue-green in females), and their fins are more brightly colored. The tail end of their bodies (the caudal peduncle) is also higher than in females. The body is sprinkled with small, pearly dots. The back is bronzy green, and the belly in females is yellowish-white. The gill covers are transparent, letting