Zebra danio care guide
Also called: Zebrafish, GloFish danio, Leopard danio, Long-fin zebra danio, Striped danio
A tough, fast, striped fish from South Asia and one of the best starter fish. GloFish danios are the same species. Keep at least six in a long tank with a tight lid, and skip slow fish with long fins.
Zebra danios need a tank of at least 20 gallons (76 L), a group of 6 or more, and water at 18–25°C (64–77°F) with a pH of 6.5–8. They grow to about 5 cm (2 in) and are peaceful.
Plan a tank with zebra daniosSee all tank mates
Zebra danio quick facts
| Scientific name | Danio rerio |
|---|---|
| Family | Danionidae |
| Origin | South Asia: India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan (shop fish, including GloFish, are captive-bred) |
| Adult size | 5 cm (2 in) |
| Minimum tank | 20 gallons (76 L), at least 75 cm (30 in) long |
| Temperature | 18–25°C (64–77°F) |
| pH | 6.5–8 |
| Hardness (GH) | 5–18 dGH |
| Group size | 6 or more (schooling fish) |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Swims at | Top |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Care level | Easy |
| Lifespan | 3–5 years |
| Safe with shrimp? | Mostly (eats baby shrimp) |
| Safe with plants? | Yes |
- Known jumper: keep a tight-fitting lid.
Tank setup
A 20-gallon long tank (76 L, about 75 cm or 30 in long) is a sensible minimum for a group, because zebras race from end to end all day. Keep open water along the front and top, with plants around the sides and back. Use a snug lid, since danios jump when startled.
How many zebra danios in a tank?
The smallest common tank that suits zebra danios is a 20 gallon long. Here is roughly how many fit in each size when they are the only fish, based on adult size and waste output. Leave room if you want tank mates.
| Tank | Zebra danios (alone) |
|---|---|
| 3 gallon | Too small |
| 5 gallon | Too small |
| 10 gallon | Too small |
| 15 gallon | Too small |
| 20 gallon | Too small |
| 20 gallon long | 6–19 |
| 29 gallon | 6–28 |
| 40 gallon | 6–39 |
| 55 gallon | 6–53 |
| 75 gallon | 6–73 |
| 125 gallon | 6–121 |
What you need for zebra danios
Sized for a 20 gallon long tank, the smallest common size that suits a group of 6 zebra danios. For a different tank or a mix of fish, use the stocking calculator for a list sized to your plan.
Tank and equipment
- 20 gallon long aquarium (tank or kit) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Bigger tanks are more stable and easier for beginners. How to choose
- Aquarium stand for 20 gallons (opens Amazon in a new tab)The water alone weighs about 167 lb (76 kg), before glass, gravel and rock. How to choose
- Adjustable heater, 50 W (opens Amazon in a new tab)Holds about 71 °F (21.5 °C) in a room at 65 °F (18 °C). How to choose
- Aquarium thermometer (opens Amazon in a new tab)Check it daily: heaters can fail stuck on or off. How to choose
- Hang-on-back filter rated 80–120 GPH (opens Amazon in a new tab)Community tank: 4–6 times the tank volume per hour. How to choose
- About 45 lb of aquarium gravel (opens Amazon in a new tab)Enough for a layer about 2 in (5 cm) deep. Smooth gravel suits most community fish. How to choose
- Water conditioner (dechlorinator) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Removes chlorine and chloramine from tap water. Seachem Prime is a popular, concentrated choice. How to choose
- Liquid test kit (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Liquid kits are more accurate than strips. The API Freshwater Master Test Kit is the common choice. How to choose
- Gravel vacuum (siphon) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Cleans the gravel and does the water change in one go. How to choose
- LED aquarium light, about 30 in long (opens Amazon in a new tab)Match the light to the tank length. Basic LEDs grow easy plants. How to choose
Food and extras for zebra danios
- Micro pellets or flakes for small fish (opens Amazon in a new tab)Small enough for tetras, rasboras and other nano fish.
- Tight-fitting lid for a 20 gallon tank (opens Amazon in a new tab)Zebra danio can jump out of an open tank.
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Water parameters
They handle a wide range: about 18–25 °C (64–77 °F), pH 6.5–8.0 and soft to fairly hard water. Many people keep them without a heater in a warm room, but avoid big daily temperature swings. Clean water with some surface movement suits them best.
Best tank mates for zebra danios
These popular species share zebra danios' water needs and temperament. See the full list of 74 good matches.
Cherry shrimp
3 cm (1.2 in) · 20–27°C (68–81°F)
Nerite snail
2.5 cm (1 in) · 22–27°C (72–81°F)
Neon tetra
3.5 cm (1.4 in) · 21–25°C (70–77°F)
Panda corydoras
4.5 cm (1.8 in) · 21–25°C (70–77°F)
Bristlenose pleco
12 cm (4.7 in) · 22–26°C (72–79°F)
Bronze corydoras
7 cm (2.8 in) · 21–26°C (70–79°F)
Assassin snail
2.5 cm (1 in) · 22–27°C (72–81°F)
Ramshorn snail
2 cm (0.8 in) · 21–27°C (70–81°F)
Avoid keeping zebra danios with
- Oscar: Oscar can eat zebra danios: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
- Bala shark: Bala shark can eat zebra danios: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
- Boesemani rainbowfish: They need different temperatures: Zebra danio 18–25°C (64–77°F), boesemani rainbowfish 26–29°C (79–84°F).
- Chinese algae eater: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful zebra danios.
- Convict cichlid: Convict cichlid is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful zebra danios.
- Discus: They need different temperatures: Zebra danio 18–25°C (64–77°F), discus 28–30°C (82–86°F).
Feeding
Omnivores that eat almost anything. Use a good flake or small pellet as the staple and add frozen or live daphnia, brine shrimp or bloodworms a few times a week. They grab food fast at the surface, so check that slower tankmates get their share.
Behavior
Peaceful but hyperactive, so they can stress calm fish and beat them to food. In small groups they may nip the fins of slow, long-finned fish like bettas and fancy guppies. A group of six or more keeps most of the chasing inside the school.
Breeding
One of the easiest egg-scattering fish to breed. Adults eat the eggs, so spawn them in a separate tank with marbles, mesh or thick Java moss on the bottom and remove the adults afterward. Eggs hatch in about two to three days, and fry need infusoria or powdered fry food before baby brine shrimp.
Tips from experienced keepers
- Keep at least six. Bigger groups mean less fin nipping and more natural schooling.
- Fit a tight lid and cover gaps around the filter. Danios are strong jumpers.
- Avoid bettas, fancy guppies and other slow fish with long, flowing fins.
- A good fish for an unheated tank in a room that stays above about 18 °C (64 °F).
- GloFish danios need exactly the same care. Their colour comes from their genes, not dye.
Frequently asked questions
How many zebra danios should be kept together?
Keep at least six, and more if your tank allows. In smaller groups they get stressed and are more likely to chase or nip other fish.
Are GloFish danios the same as zebra danios?
Yes. GloFish danios are zebra danios that carry a fluorescent colour gene, and they need the same care, tank size and tankmates. They are sold in the US but are not allowed in some places, such as the EU.
Can zebra danios live with a betta?
It is usually a poor match. Zebras are fast and may nip a betta's long fins, and bettas prefer warmer, calmer water.
Sources
We checked these references when writing this page. Values are for healthy long-term keeping, not survival limits. Last reviewed 2026-10-13. See our editorial policy.