Zebra Danio
Danio rerio
Also known as Zebrafish, Zebra Fish
Edited by Ivan F. · Reviewed
Beginner verdict
A tough, fast, striped schooling fish that handles cooler water and suits many beginners. It never stops moving, so it needs a long tank and a tight group. Peaceful and easy to feed, it can unsettle slow or shy fish with its constant high-speed activity.
Care at a glance
- Min tank size
- 21 US gal
- Footprint
- 35 x 12 in
- Temperature
- 64–77 °F
- pH
- 6–8
- Hardness
- 5–20 dGH
- Swim zone
- Mid-Water
- Min group
- 8 fish
- Lifespan
- 4–5 years
Zebra Danio care mistakes to avoid
The mistakes beginners most often make with this species.
- Do not buy just one or two. Keep at least 8 fish so they feel secure.
- Give it length. This constant swimmer is unhappy in a short, narrow tank.
- Use a lid. Zebra danios are known to jump, especially at feeding time.
- Do not mix it with slow, shy or long-finned fish, which its energy can stress.
- Check your tank before you buy. Our sourced minimum is 21 US gallons.
Zebra Danio tank mates and swim zone
Mid-Water
Spends most of its time in this part of the tank.
Poecilia reticulata
Xiphophorus maculatus
Xiphophorus hellerii
Poecilia sphenops
Trichogaster chuna
Trichogaster lalius
Hemigrammus erythrozonus
Their temperature ranges barely overlap, so you will have little room for error.
Boraras brigittae
Chili Rasbora is small and shy, and is easily outcompeted for food by Zebra Danio.
Danio margaritatus
Celestial Pearl Danio is small and shy, and is easily outcompeted for food by Zebra Danio.
Poecilia wingei
Their temperature ranges barely overlap, so you will have little room for error.
Ancistrus cirrhosus
Their temperature ranges do not overlap, so one of them would always be stressed.
Mikrogeophagus ramirezi
Their temperature ranges do not overlap, so one of them would always be stressed.
Melanotaenia boesemani
Their temperature ranges do not overlap, so one of them would always be stressed.
Zebra Danio feeding and care
How to feed
- Feed flakes and small pellets, taken eagerly at the surface.
- Add small live or frozen foods such as daphnia for stronger color.
- Feed small portions you can see finished within a couple of minutes, because overfeeding fouls the water fast.
Telling males from females
Mature females are usually rounder in the belly, slightly less colorful and a little larger than males.
Plants that suit it
Species facts
- Family
- Cyprinidae
- Native to
- India, Bangladesh and Nepal
- Adult size
- 2 in (5 cm)
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social needs
- Schooling/Shoaling (6+)
- Diet
- Micro-Predator
- Water flow
- Moderate
- Substrate
- Any
- Live plants
- Yes - Loves Plants
- Shrimp
- Adult Shrimp Only
- Fin nipping
- Low
- Vulnerable to nippers
- No
- Breeding
- Easy Egg-Scatterer
Zebra Danio FAQ
What size tank do Zebra Danios need?
Our sourced minimum is 21 US gallons (81 liters), with a footprint of 90 x 30 cm. A bigger tank is always easier to keep stable.
How many Zebra Danios should I keep?
Keep at least 8 fish. Bigger groups usually look better and behave more confidently.
What can live with Zebra Danios?
Good matches on our list include Fancy Guppy, Platy and Swordtail. Avoid Bristlenose Pleco and German Blue Ram.
How long do Zebra Danios live?
Care guides report about 4–5 years. Stable water and a good diet make the biggest difference.
Do zebra danios need a heater?
Often not in a warm room, because they tolerate cooler water than most tropical fish. Keep the water steady and within the range shown above.
Where to buy Zebra Danio
We have not found a store that sells Zebra Danio under its scientific name yet. We add stores as we confirm them.
Live animals and plants travel by courier. Check the store's live-arrival guarantee, and only buy once your tank has cycled (see how to cycle a fish tank).
Some US states restrict certain species. Check our US state aquarium rules table and your state's own rules before you buy.
Complete the tank
A forgiving setup with room for a small community.
Tank size for this species
At least 21 US gallons (81 L), 90 x 30 cm footprint
Filter
Hang-on-back or large sponge filter
Easy to maintain and strong enough for a community without blasting the fish.
We are still choosing products for this.
Heater
Adjustable heater, about 5 W per gallon: 100 W at 20 gallons, about 150 W at 29
Enough power to hold a stable temperature in most homes. Size up for a cold room.
We are still choosing products for this.
Water Conditioner
Dechlorinator such as Seachem Prime
Tap water contains chlorine or chloramine that harms fish.
Seachem Prime US
Fritz Complete Water Conditioner US
API Betta Water Conditioner US
sera aquatan Spain
Tetra AquaSafe Spain
Maker's page · Sold at Kiwoko · Sold at Tiendanimal · Sold at zooplus.es
Why we chose these (Best Water Conditioner for Betta Fish). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Test Kit
Liquid kit such as API Freshwater Master
Tracks ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH while the tank cycles.
API Freshwater Master Test Kit US
API General & Carbonate Hardness Test Kit US
Maker's page · Sold at The Shrimp Farm · Sold at Bulk Reef Supply
sera aqua-test box (Cl) Spain
JBL PROAQUATEST COMBISET Plus NH4 Spain
Why we chose these (Best Test Kit for a Freshwater Aquarium). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Cycle the tank before adding animals. See our guide on how to cycle a fish tank.