Dario Kajal

Datasheet

General Description

The Dario Kajal, a member of the Badidae family under Perciformes classification, is a small species not exceeding 2.0cm in size, with distinctive features that set it apart from its congeners. Prior to its official naming, it was known by colloquial names such as D. sp. ‘Jaintia Hills’ and D. sp. ‘Bangladesh’. In the aquarium, it is advised to maintain this species alone due to its shy and non-gregarious nature.

Aquarium Setup

To house the Dario Kajal, a well-structured tank setup is crucial. The species is best kept at temperatures between 16-24°C and in water conditions with a hardness of 90-179ppm and a pH range of 6.5-7.5. The preferred tank size is a minimum of 40 liters. Providing ample cover such as driftwood branches, floating plants, and leaf litter is essential. Soft substrate or fine-grade gravel is suitable, and suitable plants include Cryptocoryne spp., Microsorum, Anubias, Taxiphyllum species, which can also serve as ideal spawning substrates.

Behaviour

In captivity, the Dario Kajal displays behaviors that need attention for successful breeding. It is not tolerant of rival males, especially in smaller tanks, and can exhibit aggression towards its own species. Intelligent placement of caves and boundaries aids in reducing aggression, allowing groups to coexist in larger tanks. When kept in a community tank, peaceful tankmates like certain cyprinids and diminutive loaches are recommended to prevent intimidation during feeding.

Feeding and Diet

Being micropredators, Dario Kajal feeds on small aquatic crustaceans, worms, insect larvae, and zooplankton. In captivity, offering small live or frozen foods such as Artemia nauplii, Daphnia, and various worms is recommended. It is advised to avoid chironomid larvae and Tubifex in their diet, as these can lead to obesity and increased susceptibility to disease.

Reproduction & Dimorphism

The reproductive behavior of Dario Kajal involves substrate spawning and forming temporary pair bonds. Males exhibit territorial behavior, intensifying in coloration to court females. After spawning, females are expelled, and males guard the eggs. To raise fry, separating either the medium or adults post-spawning is recommended as the fry are prone to predation. Males develop more-extended fins than females as they mature, with females being smaller and having a duller coloration.

Habitat and Distribution

The Dario Kajal is found in the Seinphoh stream at Umolong, in the Meghalaya region of India, within the Myntdu River tributary. Their habitat consists of shallow pools with slow-flowing, turbid water, devoid of aquatic vegetation. The fluctuating seasonal rainfall in Meghalaya affects water depth, flow rate, turbidity, and water chemistry, posing challenges for these fish.