Aquarist Atlas
Barbs · Indian & Sri Lankan barbs

Neochela dadiburjori

(Menon, 1952)

Dadio, Dadio danio

Formerly known as Chela dadiburjori.

Full synonymy (2)
  • Chela dadiburjori (Menon 1952) · earlier combination
  • Laubuca dadiburjori Menon 1952 · original combination

Source: Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes (Fricke, Eschmeyer & Van der Laan, eds.), California Academy of Sciences.

3 cited sourcesName checked against Eschmeyer’s Catalog of Fishes, update of

IUCNLEAST CONCERN · 2010
CARESNOT LISTED
Type localityCochin, Kerala, Indiaper Catalog of Fishes
Scientific size1 in2.5 cm standard length
Temperature72–75 °F22–24 °C
Depth—not recorded
DietMicro-predator; plankton and tiny invertebrates
BreedingEgg-scatterer among plants near the surface
Sexual dimorphismNot documentedNot recorded in available sources
PhotographsSee photosGoogle Images →

Neochela dadiburjori is the dadio, a tiny pelagic danionid of the Western Ghats that FishBase gives at 1 in SL. Menon described it in 1952 from Cochin, Kerala.

What's in the name

Neochela dadiburjori — nee-oh-KEE-lah dah-dee-boor-JOR-eye

Neochela
  • neosGreek — new
  • ChelaLatin genus name — the genus Chela, from Greek chele, claw
dadiburjori
  • dadiburjoriLatinised personal name — the patronym in Menon's original name

Taxonomy & naming

Menon described the species in 1952 from Cochin, Kerala, India. It has been classed in Horadandia, Chela and Laubuca in different works, and the Catalog of Fishes uses Neochela. The family is Danionidae.

Morphology

A small, slender, transparent-bodied fish with a silvery stripe. FishBase gives a maximum of 1 in SL and notes that adult females can reach 1 in.

Habitat

FishBase lists it as a freshwater, pelagic, tropical fish found in streams and pools, from Tamil Nadu to Goa in India. It keeps to open water and shaded margins.

Feeding

It is a micro-predator and plankton feeder that takes tiny crustaceans and insect larvae from the water column.

Mating

Mating behaviour is not described in detail.

Breeding

FishBase says it spawns between plants near the surface. Eggs are scattered among fine-leaved vegetation, and the fry need infusoria.

In the aquarium

FishBase notes it is traded commercially. It suits a quiet, heavily planted tank with small peaceful companions and a lid. Keep it in a group, with fine live or frozen foods.

Conservation

IUCN lists the species as Least Concern, assessed in 2010. Specific threats are not described.

Common questions

Dadio (Neochela dadiburjori): how big does it get?
Up to 1 in standard length (SL).
Dadio (Neochela dadiburjori): what water temperature does it need?
The atlas records 72–75 °F for this species.
Dadio (Neochela dadiburjori): where does it come from?
It is recorded from India.

On a list: Nano fish

Sources

  1. Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes — Neochela dadiburjori (Menon, 1952)
  2. FishBase — Neochela dadiburjori
  3. IUCN Red List — Neochela dadiburjori

Naming authority: Neochela dadiburjori in Eschmeyer’s Catalog of Fishes ↗

Last reviewed 2026-10-05.

How to cite

Aquarist Atlas (2026). Neochela dadiburjori. Aquarist Atlas.https://www.aquaristatlas.com/barbs/neochela-dadiburjori/

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