Zebra Danio

Fast, tireless swimmers that need long tanks and tight groups. Their speed can stress slow, long-finned tank mates, so pair them with equally active species.

• Minimum footprint: 20 gallons; a 20+ gallon tank gives real swimming room.
• Preferred swimming zone: top of the water column.
• Social — keep a group of at least 6.
• Care level: easy.

• Temperature: 65–77°F
• pH: 6.5–7.5
• Hardness: 2–15 dGH (Moderate)

Stable parameters matter more than perfect ones — aim for consistency before chasing an exact number.

peaceful

schoolingfast-swimmertop-dwellersub-tropical

An omnivore — offer a staple flake or pellet plus regular frozen or live foods (daphnia, bloodworm, brine shrimp) and some vegetable matter for balance.

• Neon Tetra
• Guppy
• Bronze Corydoras
• Harlequin Rasbora
• Platy
• Molly

A further 1 species pair with Zebra Danio as conditional — workable with the right tank and precautions.

• Angelfish — Temperature ranges barely overlap; the tank must be held in a narrow band.
• German Blue Ram — One species will live outside its comfortable temperature range.
• Electric Blue Acara — Occasional chasing or fin nipping is possible.

Standard tanks at or above the recommended 20 gallons:

• 20 gallon High 24 × 12 × 16″
• 20 gallon Long 30 × 12 × 12″
• 29 gallon 30 × 12 × 18″
• All tank sizes

• Start from a 20 gallon minimum and plan the full group size (6+) before you buy.
• Activity level is high, which affects how much of the tank it uses and how much it adds to the bioload.
• Zoning matters: this species lives mostly in the top zone, so choose tank mates that occupy other levels.

Compatibility depends on tank size, water chemistry, temperament, and adult size. Run a full check against any species in our database.

In-depth guides for Zebra Danio:

• Zebra Danio and Neon TetraGood Match
• Zebra Danio and GuppyGood Match
• Zebra Danio and Cherry BarbGood Match

• FishBase(Scientific Database, accessed 2026-09-20)
• SeriouslyFish(Specialist Publication, accessed 2026-09-20)
• Aquarium Forge editorial guidelines(Editorial Interpretation, accessed 2026-09-22)

Data reviewed: September 2026 · Data version: 2026.11
Editorial note: Minimum tank recommendations may vary by source and husbandry approach. Our figures synthesise the sources above for planning purposes.