What tank size does a Zebra Danio need?

A Zebra Danio needs an aquarium of at least 75 litres (19.8 US gallons) with a footprint at least 60 cm (23.6 in) long — for this species, swimming length matters as much as raw volume.

What water parameters does a Zebra Danio need?

Zebra Danio does best at 16–26 °C (60.8–78.8 °F), pH 6–8 and a general hardness of 2–16 °dGH.

What group size does a Zebra Danio need?

Zebra Danio is a social species — keep a group of at least 6 so natural behaviour emerges and stress stays low.

Is the Zebra Danio suitable for beginners?

Yes — Zebra Danio is one of the easier species to keep and forgives typical first-tank mistakes, as long as the aquarium is cycled and maintained.

Species library

Zebra Danio

Danio rerio

Cyprinidae

FishDifficulty: ●○○○○Data: well-established

📷 Soulkeeper · Public domain · resized · Wikimedia Commons

Zebra Danio — Danio rerio — 📷 Soulkeeper · Public domain · resized · Wikimedia Commons

About

The zebra danio is a hardy, endlessly active cyprinid from the streams, rice paddies and seasonal floodwaters of the Ganges and Brahmaputra basins in South Asia. Its horizontal blue-and-gold stripes and tireless swimming make it a classic beginner fish and a mainstay of biology laboratories worldwide. Tolerant of a wide temperature range and a strong jumper, it is a fast-moving surface shoaler that appreciates open swimming space and some current.

Care

Keep in an active shoal of 6+ in a long tank with a secure lid and some flow. Very hardy and tolerant of cooler, subtropical temperatures.

Diet

Unfussy surface-feeding omnivore; feed varied dry foods plus occasional frozen/live foods.

Tankmate compatibility

Gets along with (48)

Possible with care (175)

Acei Cichlid African Butterfly Cichlid African Butterflyfish Agassiz's Cory Agassiz's Dwarf Cichlid Auratus Cichlid Bamboo Shrimp Banjo Catfish Betta (Siamese Fighting Fish)Black Moor Goldfish Black Neon Tetra Black Phantom Tetra Bleeding Heart Tetra Blood Parrot Cichlid Blue Acara Blue Dolphin Cichlid Boesemani Rainbowfish Bolivian Ram Borleyi (Redfin Hap)Brevis Shell Dweller Brichard's Teleogramma Brichardi (Fairy Cichlid)Bristlenose Pleco Bronze Corydoras Buenos Aires Tetra Buffalohead Cichlid Bumblebee Cichlid Bumblebee Goby Calvus Cichlid Cardinal Tetra Celebes Rainbowfish Checkerboard Cichlid Checkered Barb Cherry Barb Chili Rasbora Chinese Algae Eater Chocolate Cichlid Chocolate Gourami Clown Killifish Clown Pleco Cobalt Blue Zebra Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid Colombian Ramshorn Snail Comet Goldfish Common Goldfish Congo Dwarf Cichlid Congo Tetra Convict Cichlid Cylindricus Cichlid Cyprichromis Demasoni Cichlid Diamond Tetra Dogtooth Cichlid Dojo (Weather) Loach Dwarf Chain Loach Dwarf Flag Cichlid Dwarf Gourami Dwarf Neon Rainbowfish Dwarf Pea Puffer Dwarf Petricola Catfish Dwarf Rasbora Electric Yellow Lab Elephantnose Fish Ellioti Cichlid Elongate Mbuna Ember Tetra Emerald Cory Emperor Tetra Endler's Livebearer Even-spotted Synodontis Fantail Goldfish Festivum (Flag Cichlid)Figure-8 Puffer Firemouth Cichlid Five-bar Cichlid Forktail Rainbowfish German Blue Ram Glowlight Tetra Golden Julie Golden Pencilfish Golden Tetra Golden Wonder Killifish Green Neon Tetra Guppy Harlequin Rasbora Head-and-Tail-Light Tetra Honey Gourami Hongi Cichlid Jewel Cichlid Johanni Cichlid Kenyi Cichlid Keyhole Cichlid Kissing Gourami Kribensis Kuhli Loach Lambchop Rasbora Lemon Cichlid Lemon Tetra Macmasteri Dwarf Cichlid Maingano Cichlid Malaysian Trumpet Snail Marble Hatchetfish Marlieri Cichlid Masked Julie Molly Moonlight Gourami Multifasciatus Shell Dweller Neon Tetra Nerite Snail Ocellatus Shell Dweller Oranda Goldfish Paradise Fish Paraguay Eartheater Peaceful Betta Peacock Cichlid Pearl Gourami Penguin Tetra Pictus Catfish Platy Polka Dot Loach Port Cichlid Powder Blue Cichlid Purple Emperor Tetra Rabbit Snail Rainbow Cichlid Rainbow Shark Ranchu Goldfish Red Empress Red Rainbowfish Red Whiptail Catfish Red Zebra Cichlid Red-Tail Shark Redhead Cichlid Regan's Julie Rosy Tetra Rummynose Tetra Rusty Cichlid Ryukin Goldfish Sailfin Molly Sand-sifting Xenotilapia Saulosi Cichlid Serpae Tetra Severum Shubunkin Goldfish Silver Tip Tetra Similis Shell Dweller Skunk Cory Sparkling Gourami Spotted Hoplo Star Sapphire Sterbai Corydoras Strawberry Rasbora Striped Kribensis Sulawesi Cardinal Shrimp Sunshine Peacock Sveni Eartheater Swordtail T-Bar Cichlid Taiwan Reef Cichlid Telescope Goldfish Thai Micro Crab Thick-lipped Gourami Threadfin Acara Threadfin Petrochromis Threadfin Rainbowfish Three-spot Gourami Tiger Barb Turquoise Rainbowfish Upside-down Catfish Vampire Shrimp Venezuelan Cory Wrestling Halfbeak X-ray Tetra Yoyo Loach Zebra Mbuna

Avoid (48)

Computed by the AquaSage engine for a spacious reference tank — always check the full verdict for your exact setup in the calculator.

Full tank-mates guide with reasons →

Telling males from females

What works for this species, most reliable first.

Belly depthA hint only · only on well-fed adults, and only as a comparison
For most tetras, barbs and rasboras this is all there is: a conditioned female is deeper through the belly than a male of the same length.

All the methods, with diagrams

Also in these lists

Shrimp-safe fish Fish for a first aquarium Peaceful community fish Fish for a 112 litre tank

Frequently asked questions

What tank size does a Zebra Danio need?: A Zebra Danio needs an aquarium of at least 75 litres (19.8 US gallons) with a footprint at least 60 cm (23.6 in) long — for this species, swimming length matters as much as raw volume.
What water parameters does a Zebra Danio need?: Zebra Danio does best at 16–26 °C (60.8–78.8 °F), pH 6–8 and a general hardness of 2–16 °dGH.
What group size does a Zebra Danio need?: Zebra Danio is a social species — keep a group of at least 6 so natural behaviour emerges and stress stays low.
Is the Zebra Danio suitable for beginners?: Yes — Zebra Danio is one of the easier species to keep and forgives typical first-tank mistakes, as long as the aquarium is cycled and maintained.

Sources

Water & tank

Temperature16–26°C

Optimal temp.18–24°C

pH6–8

Hardness (GH)2–16°d

Carbonate (KH)2–12°d

Adult size5 cm

Min. volume≥ 75 L

Min. tank length≥ 60 cm

Group size≥ 6

Swimming zoneTop

TemperamentPeaceful

Water typeFreshwater

FlowModerate

Lifespan~4 yrs

Try in the calculator