Tank mates for zebra danios
We checked zebra danios against all 149 other species in our database for water temperature, pH, size, fin nipping, predation and aggression.
Good tank mates for zebra danios include cherry shrimp, nerite snail, neon tetra, panda corydoras, bristlenose pleco and bronze corydoras. Avoid oscar, bala shark and boesemani rainbowfish: oscar can eat zebra danios: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Zebra danios: 18–25°C (64–77°F), pH 6.5–8, adult size 5 cm (2 in), minimum tank 20 gallons (76 L). Full zebra danio care guide.
Good Compatible tank mates (74)
Shared water conditions and no known conflict. Still add fish slowly and watch them.
Bristlenose pleco
12 cm (4.7 in) · 20+ gal
Bronze corydoras
7 cm (2.8 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 6+
Cherry shrimp
3 cm (1.2 in) · 5+ gal · groups of 10+
Zebra danio will pick off baby cherry shrimp, so the colony grows slowly. Dense plants help.
Common pleco
40 cm (15.7 in) · 150+ gal
Neon tetra
3.5 cm (1.4 in) · 15+ gal · groups of 8+
Nerite snail
2.5 cm (1 in) · 5+ gal
Panda corydoras
4.5 cm (1.8 in) · 15+ gal · groups of 6+
African dwarf frog
3.5 cm (1.4 in) · 10+ gal · groups of 2+
Amano shrimp
4.5 cm (1.8 in) · 10+ gal · groups of 3+
Zebra danio will pick off baby amano shrimp, so the colony grows slowly. Dense plants help.
Assassin snail
2.5 cm (1 in) · 5+ gal
Black skirt tetra
6 cm (2.4 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 8+
Cardinal tetra
4 cm (1.6 in) · 15+ gal · groups of 8+
Celestial pearl danio
2.5 cm (1 in) · 10+ gal · groups of 8+
Cherry barb
5 cm (2 in) · 15+ gal · groups of 6+
Chili rasbora
2 cm (0.8 in) · 10+ gal · groups of 10+
Denison barb
13 cm (5.1 in) · 75+ gal · groups of 6+
Dojo loach
15 cm (5.9 in) · 75+ gal · groups of 3+
Dwarf neon rainbowfish
6 cm (2.4 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 6+
Ember tetra
2 cm (0.8 in) · 10+ gal · groups of 8+
Ghost shrimp
4.5 cm (1.8 in) · 10+ gal · groups of 3+
Zebra danio will pick off baby ghost shrimp, so the colony grows slowly. Dense plants help.
Harlequin rasbora
4.5 cm (1.8 in) · 15+ gal · groups of 8+
Hillstream loach
6.5 cm (2.6 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 3+
Julii corydoras
5.5 cm (2.2 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 6+
Malaysian trumpet snail
2.5 cm (1 in) · 10+ gal
Mystery snail
5 cm (2 in) · 10+ gal
Otocinclus
4 cm (1.6 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 6+
Peppered corydoras
6.5 cm (2.6 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 6+
Platy
6 cm (2.4 in) · 15+ gal · groups of 3+
Pygmy corydoras
2.5 cm (1 in) · 10+ gal · groups of 10+
Ramshorn snail
2 cm (0.8 in) · 5+ gal
Rosy barb
9 cm (3.5 in) · 29+ gal · groups of 6+
Siamese algae eater
15 cm (5.9 in) · 55+ gal
Sterbai corydoras
6.5 cm (2.6 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 6+
White cloud mountain minnow
4 cm (1.6 in) · 15+ gal · groups of 6+
Bamboo shrimp
8 cm (3.1 in) · 20+ gal
Zebra danio will pick off baby bamboo shrimp, so the colony grows slowly. Dense plants help.
Black neon tetra
4 cm (1.6 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 8+
Black phantom tetra
4 cm (1.6 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 6+
Bleeding heart tetra
6.5 cm (2.6 in) · 29+ gal · groups of 8+
Bloodfin tetra
5 cm (2 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 6+
Bumblebee catfish
7.5 cm (3 in) · 20+ gal
Clown killifish
3.5 cm (1.4 in) · 10+ gal · groups of 6+
Crystal red shrimp
3 cm (1.2 in) · 10+ gal · groups of 10+
Zebra danio will pick off baby crystal red shrimp, so the colony grows slowly. Dense plants help.
Dwarf orange crayfish
4 cm (1.6 in) · 10+ gal
Emerald green corydoras
8 cm (3.1 in) · 55+ gal · groups of 6+
Emperor tetra
5 cm (2 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 6+
Gardneri killifish
6 cm (2.4 in) · 10+ gal
Giant danio
10 cm (3.9 in) · 55+ gal · groups of 6+
Glass catfish
7 cm (2.8 in) · 29+ gal · groups of 6+
Gold barb
7 cm (2.8 in) · 29+ gal · groups of 6+
Head and tail light tetra
4.5 cm (1.8 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 6+
Kubotai rasbora
2 cm (0.8 in) · 15+ gal · groups of 10+
Lambchop rasbora
3.5 cm (1.4 in) · 15+ gal · groups of 8+
Lemon tetra
4.5 cm (1.8 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 8+
Odessa barb
6 cm (2.4 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 6+
Panda garra
8.5 cm (3.3 in) · 29+ gal · groups of 3+
Peacock gudgeon
6 cm (2.4 in) · 15+ gal · groups of 2+
Penguin tetra
5 cm (2 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 6+
Rosy loach
2.5 cm (1 in) · 15+ gal · groups of 8+
Rubber lip pleco
14 cm (5.5 in) · 29+ gal
Scarlet badis
2 cm (0.8 in) · 10+ gal
Scissortail rasbora
12 cm (4.7 in) · 55+ gal · groups of 6+
Swordtail
12 cm (4.7 in) · 29+ gal · groups of 4+
Thai micro crab
1 cm (0.4 in) · 5+ gal · groups of 5+
Turquoise rainbowfish
11 cm (4.3 in) · 29+ gal · groups of 6+
Zebra loach
9 cm (3.5 in) · 29+ gal · groups of 5+
Black ruby barb
6 cm (2.4 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 6+
Checkerboard barb
5 cm (2 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 6+
Flame tetra
3 cm (1.2 in) · 15+ gal · groups of 8+
Glowlight danio
3.5 cm (1.4 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 6+
Keyhole cichlid
10 cm (3.9 in) · 29+ gal · groups of 2+
Least killifish
2.5 cm (1 in) · 10+ gal · groups of 6+
Pearl danio
6 cm (2.4 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 6+
Silvertip tetra
4.5 cm (1.8 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 8+
Variatus platy
6 cm (2.4 in) · 15+ gal · groups of 3+
Caution Possible, with care (50)
These can work in the right setup, but there is a real risk. Read the reason first.
- Angelfish · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Zebra danio sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of angelfish are an easy target.
- Angelfish may eat zebra danios, especially young or small ones.
- Angelfish is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller zebra danios.
- Betta fish · 5+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Zebra danio sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of bettas are an easy target.
- Betta fish defends its patch of the tank and may chase zebra danios, which use the same area.
- Common goldfish · 75+ gal
- Common goldfish may eat zebra danios, especially young or small ones.
- Dwarf gourami · 15+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Zebra danio sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of dwarf gouramis are an easy target.
- Dwarf gourami defends its patch of the tank and may chase zebra danios, which use the same area.
- Fancy goldfish · 20+ gal
- Zebra danio sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of fancy goldfish are an easy target.
- Guppy · 10+ gal
- Zebra danio sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of guppies are an easy target.
- Tiger barb · 29+ gal
- Tiger barb nips fins and can stress slow, peaceful fish like zebra danios.
- Blood parrot cichlid · 55+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Blood parrot cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller zebra danios.
- Clown loach · 180+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–25°C).
- Clown loach grows much larger than zebra danios and may swallow them as it grows.
- Firemouth cichlid · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Firemouth cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller zebra danios.
- Glowlight tetra · 15+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Honey gourami · 10+ gal
- Zebra danio sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of honey gouramis are an easy target.
- Kribensis · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Kuhli loach · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Molly · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Pearl gourami · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Zebra danio sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of pearl gouramis are an easy target.
- Rainbow shark · 75+ gal
- Rainbow shark is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller zebra danios.
- Red-tail shark · 75+ gal
- Red-tail shark is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller zebra danios.
- Rummy-nose tetra · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Silver dollar · 75+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Three spot gourami · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Zebra danio sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of three spot gouramis are an easy target.
- Three spot gourami is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller zebra danios.
- Three spot gourami defends its patch of the tank and may chase zebra danios, which use the same area.
- X-ray tetra · 15+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Yoyo loach · 75+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- African butterfly fish · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Zebra danio sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of african butterfly fish are an easy target.
- African butterfly fish may eat zebra danios, especially young or small ones.
- African butterfly fish is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller zebra danios.
- African butterfly fish defends its patch of the tank and may chase zebra danios, which use the same area.
- Agassiz's dwarf cichlid · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–25°C).
- Bolivian ram · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Buenos Aires tetra · 29+ gal
- Buenos Aires tetra nips fins and can stress slow, peaceful fish like zebra danios.
- Clown pleco · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Cockatoo cichlid · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Congo tetra · 40+ gal
- Zebra danio sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of Congo tetras are an easy target.
- Diamond tetra · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Dwarf chain loach · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Endler's livebearer · 10+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Forktail blue-eye · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Golden wonder killifish · 20+ gal
- Golden wonder killifish may eat zebra danios, especially young or small ones.
- Kissing gourami · 75+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Kissing gourami is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller zebra danios.
- Kissing gourami grows much larger than zebra danios and may swallow them as it grows.
- Marbled hatchetfish · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Paradise fish · 20+ gal
- Paradise fish defends its patch of the tank and may chase zebra danios, which use the same area.
- Rabbit snail · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–25°C).
- Red rainbowfish · 40+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Rosy tetra · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Serpae tetra · 20+ gal
- Serpae tetra nips fins and can stress slow, peaceful fish like zebra danios.
- Sparkling gourami · 10+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Threadfin rainbowfish · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Zebra danio sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of threadfin rainbowfish are an easy target.
- Upside-down catfish · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Vampire shrimp · 20+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Dwarf rasbora · 10+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Green neon tetra · 10+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C).
- Moonlight gourami · 29+ gal
- Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 25–25°C).
- Zebra danio sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of moonlight gouramis are an easy target.
- Thick-lipped gourami · 20+ gal
- Zebra danio sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of thick-lipped gouramis are an easy target.
Avoid Bad tank mates (25)
- 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).
- Electric blue acara: Electric blue acara can eat zebra danios: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
- Electric yellow cichlid: Electric yellow cichlid is a Lake Malawi cichlid. It needs a Lake Malawi tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 7.5–8.5), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. Zebra danios don't belong in that setup.
- German blue ram: They need different temperatures: Zebra danio 18–25°C (64–77°F), german blue ram 27–30°C (81–86°F).
- Jack Dempsey: Jack Dempsey can eat zebra danios: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown. Jack Dempsey is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful zebra danios.
- Pea puffer: Pea puffer is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful zebra danios. Pea puffer is best kept in a species-only tank.
- Peacock cichlid: Peacock cichlid is a Lake Malawi cichlid. It needs a Lake Malawi tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 7.5–8.5), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. Zebra danios don't belong in that setup.
- Pictus catfish: Pictus catfish can eat zebra danios: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
- Red zebra cichlid: Red zebra cichlid is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful zebra danios. Red zebra cichlid is a Lake Malawi cichlid. It needs a Lake Malawi tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 7.5–8.5), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. Zebra danios don't belong in that setup.
- Senegal bichir: Senegal bichir can eat zebra danios: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
- Black ghost knifefish: Black ghost knifefish can eat zebra danios: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
- Demasoni cichlid: Demasoni cichlid is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful zebra danios. Demasoni cichlid is a Lake Malawi cichlid. It needs a Lake Malawi tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 7.5–8.5), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. Zebra danios don't belong in that setup.
- Frontosa: Frontosa can eat zebra danios: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown. Frontosa is a Lake Tanganyika cichlid. It needs a Lake Tanganyika tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 8–9), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. Zebra danios don't belong in that setup.
- Green terror: Green terror can eat zebra danios: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown. Green terror is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful zebra danios.
- Jewel cichlid: Jewel cichlid is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful zebra danios.
- Ropefish: Ropefish can eat zebra danios: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
- Severum: Severum can eat zebra danios: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
- Shell dweller cichlid: Shell dweller cichlid is a Lake Tanganyika cichlid. It needs a Lake Tanganyika tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 7.5–9), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. Zebra danios don't belong in that setup.
- Tinfoil barb: Tinfoil barb can eat zebra danios: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
- Zebra pleco: They need different temperatures: Zebra danio 18–25°C (64–77°F), zebra pleco 26–30°C (79–86°F).
Frequently asked questions
What fish can live with zebra danios?
Good tank mates for zebra danios include cherry shrimp, nerite snail, neon tetra, panda corydoras, bristlenose pleco and bronze corydoras. They need similar water and won't fight with or eat zebra danios.
Can zebra danios live with angelfish?
Sometimes, with care. Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C). Zebra danio sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of angelfish are an easy target.
Can zebra danios live with bettas?
Sometimes, with care. Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–25°C). Zebra danio sometimes nips fins, and the long fins of bettas are an easy target.
Can zebra danios live with bristlenose plecos?
Yes. They share similar water needs (22–25°C (72–77°F)) and peaceful temperaments.
Can zebra danios live with bronze corydoras?
Yes. They share similar water needs (21–25°C (70–77°F)) and peaceful temperaments.
How we decide: we compare each pair's comfortable temperature, pH and hardness ranges, adult sizes, mouth size (who can eat whom), fin nipping, aggression and territory. Read the full method. Data last reviewed 2026-10-13.