Zebra danio
Danio rerio
A fast, striped danio and one of the hardiest beginner fish; schools near the surface and is happy at room temperature.
Key facts
- Body length
- 1.5 in without fins
- Minimum tank
- 26 gallons
- Group
- 8+
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Care level
- 1 / 5
- Lifespan
- 2–5.5 years
- Diet
- Flakes, micro pellets, frozen daphnia and brine shrimp
- Origin
- India and Bangladesh
- Hardier than81%
- Bigger than17%
- Calmer than68%
Water: their range vs yours
Zebra danio tank mates
- Neon tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Harlequin rasboraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Fancy guppyGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Panda corydorasGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Cherry shrimpGets along in shared water.Good mates
- BettaGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Tiger barbGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Amano shrimpGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Black neon tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Black widow tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Bristlenose plecoGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Bronze coryGets along in shared water.Good mates
- OtocinclusZebra danio outcompetes the slow-eating Otocinclus for food; target-feed to make sure it eats.Risky
- Blood parrot cichlidZebra danio outcompetes the slow-eating Blood parrot cichlid for food; target-feed to make sure it eats.Risky
- Chinese algae eaterChinese algae eater attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Zebra danio.Risky
- Clown loachClown loach attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Zebra danio.Risky
- DemasoniDemasoni attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Zebra danio.Risky
- DiscusZebra danio outcompetes the slow-eating Discus for food; target-feed to make sure it eats.Risky
- AngelfishAngelfish can eat Zebra danio: prey body depth 0.8 cm ≤ mouth 2.3 cm.Avoid
- Blue dolphin cichlidBlue dolphin cichlid can eat Zebra danio: prey body depth 0.8 cm ≤ mouth 6.3 cm.Avoid
- Convict cichlidConvict cichlid can eat Zebra danio: prey body depth 0.8 cm ≤ mouth 3.8 cm.Avoid
- Firemouth cichlidFiremouth cichlid can eat Zebra danio: prey body depth 0.8 cm ≤ mouth 3.0 cm.Avoid
- GoldfishGoldfish can eat Zebra danio: prey body depth 0.8 cm ≤ mouth 3.0 cm.Avoid
- Iridescent sharkIridescent shark can eat Zebra danio: prey body depth 0.8 cm ≤ mouth 32.5 cm.Avoid
How we check
The numbers the tank model uses for zebra danios: water as ideal and tolerated ranges, bioload from adult mass, space, flow and how they act on other species.
- Standard length
- 3.8 cm (SL)
- Adult mass
- 1.11 g
- Bioload at 25 °C
- 1.18 BU
- Min. water
- 81 L net
- Min. footprint
- 90 × 30 cm per group
- Group
- 8+ (best 10)
- Swims in
- top, middle
- Flow
- low
- Body / fins
- fusiform, normal fins
- Diet type
- micropredator
- Fin nipper
- none
- Sensitive to
- —
Sources: Seriously Fish: Danio rerio · FishBase: Danio rerio
Care notes
Zebra danios come from rice fields and floodplain pools of India and Bangladesh and are also the famous laboratory zebrafish. Long-finned, leopard, albino and GloFish forms are widely sold.
They are very active, so give a school of eight to ten a tank at least 3 feet long (about 20 gallons) at 64–77°F. A lid is a good idea, since danios are known jumpers.
Questions
What size tank does a zebra danio need?
At least 26 gallons (81 litres of water after decor). Adults reach about 1.5 inches without fins.
How many zebra danios should be kept together?
Keep at least 8, ideally 10 or more: fewer feel exposed and hide or turn nippy.
What water do zebra danios need?
64–75 °F, pH 6–8 and 5–20 dGH. Zebra danios come from India and Bangladesh.
How long do zebra danios live?
2–5.5 years with good care.
What fish can live with zebra danios?
Good tank mates include Neon tetra, Harlequin rasbora, Fancy guppy, Panda corydoras and Cherry shrimp. Each is checked both ways for size, fin nipping, temperament, territory and shared water.