Danio

Behaviour

Zebra Danios are schooling fish, which means they thrive in groups. In the wild, they swim in large schools for protection and to search for food. In an aquarium, it’s best to keep them in groups of at least 5 to 6 individuals to make them feel secure and reduce stress. Zebra Danios are generally peaceful and do well with other non-aggressive species in community tanks. They are often kept with other small, non-territorial fish, as they rarely show aggression. Zebra Danios are very active swimmers. They spend a lot of time exploring their environment, darting around the tank in quick, energetic bursts. They are not bottom dwellers, so they mostly occupy the middle and upper parts of the tank. They are naturally curious and will often investigate new objects or plants added to their aquarium. Zebra Danios are diurnal (active during the day) and usually rest or sleep during the night. They don’t typically show much activity after the lights go off, although their sleep isn’t as deep as that of some other fish species.

Tank Setup

Zebra Danios thrive in well-filtered water with a moderate flow. They are active swimmers, so they benefit from a gentle to moderate current, but avoid strong, turbulent water flow. A fine gravel substrate or soft sand is ideal. Zebra Danios are mid-water swimmers, so they don’t interact with the substrate too much, but it should still be smooth and comfortable. Zebra Danios love to swim around plants, so including some live plants can help mimic their natural environment and give them hiding spots.

Diet & Feeding

Zebra Danios are omnivores, meaning they eat both animal and plant-based foods. In the wild, their diet consists of small invertebrates like zooplankton, insect larvae, and tiny crustaceans, as well as various plant matter. In captivity, you can feed them a balanced diet of high-quality commercial fish flakes or pellets, which provide essential nutrients. Additionally, they enjoy live or frozen foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia (water fleas), bloodworms, and mosquito larvae. To complement their protein-rich diet, zebra danios also benefit from occasional plant-based foods, including blanched vegetables like spinach, zucchini, and peas. A varied diet helps maintain their health, vitality, and color.

Breeding

Zebra Danios are egg-layers, and their mating behavior can be observed in the aquarium. The males are generally more active and chase the females, nudging them to release eggs. Once the eggs are fertilized, the male will help spread them across the substrate. During the breeding season, males may display more vibrant colors and swim aggressively around the females to court them.m After the eggs are laid, the parents don’t exhibit any form of parental care. The eggs will hatch in a few days, and the fry will start swimming shortly after.

Tank Mates

Zebra Danios are peaceful and can live harmoniously with a variety of small, peaceful fish such as Tetras, Guppies, Corydoras, Neon Tetras, and Harlequin Rasboras. Avoid keeping them with large or aggressive species, as they are small and fast, and might be harassed or outcompeted for food.