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Contents
Overview
The zebra danio is a small fish from India, Bangladesh and Nepal, striped end to end with horizontal blue and gold bands. Long-fin, leopard and golden varieties are common. It is also one of the most studied lab animals on the planet, precisely because it is so easy to keep and breed.
In the aquarium it stands out for its nonstop energy: it patrols the upper water column, chases its schoolmates and rockets toward food. It shrugs off beginner mistakes better than almost any other fish, though that's no excuse to skip cycling. The genetically modified fluorescent strains sold in the US as GloFish are the same species; they are not permitted in the European Union.
Care and tank setup
Small as it is, this is a fast swimmer, so aim for a tank at least 24 inches long, such as a 15- or 20-gallon long (60 liters or more), for a school of eight or more. Length matters more than height.
- Lid: zebras jump, especially when startled or courting.
- Water: not fussy about pH or hardness; they like well-oxygenated water, some flow and moderate temperatures.
- Decor: plants at the back and sides, with the front and surface left open for swimming.
- Tank mates: corydoras, other danios, mellow barbs, rasboras and active livebearers.
In groups of two or three they get stressed and may harass slow, long-finned fish like bettas or angelfish; in a big school the chasing stays among themselves. Don't pair them with very warm-water species such as discus.
Feeding
Zebras eat almost anything. A quality fine flake as the staple, plus frozen brine shrimp, daphnia or bloodworms a couple of times a week, brings out the best color. Since they feed at the top and mid-water, make sure bottom dwellers get their own sinking food.
Breeding
One of the easiest fish to breed. Females scatter hundreds of non-sticky eggs that drop to the bottom, where the adults happily eat them. Use a separate tank with marbles, mesh or dense moss, shallow water, one male and two females; spawning usually happens at first light. Remove the parents and feed the fry infusoria, then baby brine shrimp.
Compatible tank mates
Species from our database that share water parameters, size and temperament with the Zebra danio. Calculated from the data in each profile.
Bristlenose pleco Ancistrus sp. 26 gal (100 L) · 72–81 °F (22–27 °C) 
Bronze cory Corydoras aeneus 21 gal (80 L) · 72–81 °F (22–27 °C) 
Platy Xiphophorus maculatus 16 gal (60 L) · 68–79 °F (20–26 °C) 
Harlequin rasbora Trigonostigma heteromorpha 16 gal (60 L) · 72–81 °F (22–27 °C) 
Ember tetra Hyphessobrycon amandae 11 gal (40 L) · 73–82 °F (23–28 °C) 
Neon tetra Paracheirodon innesi 16 gal (60 L) · 68–79 °F (20–26 °C) 
Swordtail Xiphophorus hellerii 32 gal (120 L) · 72–81 °F (22–27 °C) 
Cherry barb Puntius titteya 16 gal (60 L) · 73–81 °F (23–27 °C) 
Tiger barb Puntigrus tetrazona 26 gal (100 L) · 72–79 °F (22–26 °C) 
Nerite snail Neritina natalensis 5 gal (20 L) · 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) 
Horned nerite snail Clithon corona 5 gal (20 L) · 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) 
Panda cory Corydoras panda 16 gal (60 L) · 68–77 °F (20–25 °C) Check the compatibility of your whole tank →
What not to keep it with
Popular species you shouldn’t house with the Zebra danio, and why.
- Common goldfish: one may eat the other due to size
- Discus: incompatible temperatures
- Angelfish: incompatible temperatures, one may eat the other due to size
- Clown loach: incompatible temperatures, one may eat the other due to size
- Oscar: one may eat the other due to size, incompatible temperaments
- Ram cichlid: incompatible temperatures
Recommended equipment
What you need to keep the Zebra danio healthy, checked against Amazon stock.
Frequently asked questions
How many liters does a Zebra danio need?
At least about 60 liters for a group of at least 8 fish. More space always helps keep the water stable.
What water temperature does the Zebra danio need?
Between 18 and 25 °C, with a pH of 6 to 8.
What fish can live with the Zebra danio?
Based on water, size and temperament, it fits with species such as Bristlenose pleco, Bronze cory, Platy, Harlequin rasbora and Ember tetra. Use our compatibility calculator to check your whole tank.
Can the Zebra danio be kept with shrimp?
Yes: it usually won’t eat adult shrimp, though some shrimplets may get picked off. A tank with plenty of moss gives the babies cover.
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