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Zebra Danio
Danio rerio
Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii›Cyprinidae
📍 Ganges & Brahmaputra, South Asia
Zebra danios are robust, active schooling fish characterised by horizontal blue and silver stripes. They are among the most beginner-friendly species available, tolerating a wider range of water conditions than most tropical fish. Their bold, zippy behaviour makes them excellent dither fish to reduce the shyness of more reclusive tankmates.
Care Guide
Diet
Zebra danios are omnivores that thrive on high-quality flake food and micro pellets as their staple diet. Supplement 2-3 times weekly with live or frozen foods such as daphnia, brine shrimp, and bloodworms to promote color and vitality. Feed small amounts once daily, only what they can consume in 2-3 minutes.
Behavior
Zebra danios are highly active, energetic schooling fish that constantly dart and chase throughout the tank, particularly in the upper water column. They are peaceful but their boisterous behavior can stress shy or slow-moving tankmates, making them excellent dither fish to encourage reclusive species to be more active. They exhibit strong social hierarchies within their school and should never be kept singly.
Breeding
Breeding zebra danios in captivity is moderately difficult and requires specific conditions including slightly cooler water (20-22°C), dense vegetation or spawning mops, and separate breeding tanks. Females are prolific egg-layers, producing hundreds of eggs per spawn, but parents will consume eggs and fry if not separated immediately after spawning. Fry are extremely small and require infusoria or liquid fry food for the first week before accepting micro pellets.
Tank Mates
Similar size, peaceful temperament, and comparable water parameters make them ideal schooling companions
Closely related species with matching activity levels and identical water requirements
Peaceful algae eaters that occupy different water zones and won't compete with danios
Peaceful invertebrates that help with algae control without interfering with active fish
Compatible water parameters but danios' aggressive chasing may stress these smaller, more timid fish
Common Diseases
Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis)
White spots covering body and fins, rapid breathing, rubbing against objects, lethargy
Raise temperature gradually to 28-30°C, perform daily 25% water changes, use aquarium salt (1 tsp per gallon) or commercial ich treatment for 7-10 days
Fin Rot
Frayed or deteriorating fin edges, discoloration at fin margins, progressive fin loss
Improve water quality with frequent partial water changes, maintain pristine tank conditions, use antibiotic medication if bacterial infection is severe
Columnaris (Flexibacter columnaris)
Whitish film on body or mouth, loss of appetite, isolation from school, rapid progression
Increase aeration, perform 50% water change immediately, treat with antibacterial medication, quarantine affected fish if possible
Dropsy
Bloated abdomen, protruding scales, lethargy, loss of appetite, pale coloration
Isolate affected fish, improve water quality, feed high-quality foods, use antibacterial treatment; prognosis is often poor
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Quick Facts
- diet
- Omnivore – flake food, micro pellets, daphnia
- lifespan
- 3–5 years
- max size
- 5 cm (2 in)
- tank size
- 10 gallons minimum
- school size
- 6+
- temperament
- Peaceful, active
Water it likes
- ph
- 6.5–7.5
- ammonia
- 0 ppm
- nitrate
- <20 ppm
- hardness
- 5–19 dGH
- temperature
- 64–79°F (18–26°C)