FishTankZebra danio care: tank size, temperature and tankmates
Fast, tough and happy in cooler water. Zebra danios are close to unkillable, which makes them a classic first fish, but they need room to swim end to end.
Quick facts
| Type | Danio |
|---|---|
| Adult size | About 2 inches |
| Smallest tank | 20 gallons |
| Temperature | 65–77°F |
| Keep | 6 or more |
| Watch for | Handles cooler water down to about 65°F. |
How to keep them
Give them a longer tank and a lid, because they can jump. Many rooms need only a small heater for them.
Like every fish, they need a cycled tank, a heater set inside their range, and a weekly water change of about 25%. Test for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate before you add them. New to this? Start with how to cycle a fish tank.
Tankmates
Good tankmates
Neon tetra · Cardinal tetra · Ember tetra · Rummynose tetra · Black skirt tetra · Serpae tetra · Harlequin rasbora · White cloud mountain minnow · Cherry barb · Tiger barb · Platy · Guppy · Endler's livebearer · Molly · Swordtail · Honey gourami · Dwarf gourami · Corydoras (bronze or peppered) · Pygmy corydoras · Kuhli loach · Otocinclus · Bristlenose pleco · Cherry shrimp · Amano shrimp · Nerite snail · Mystery snail
Possible, with care
- Betta (male): Only a narrow shared temperature range (76–77°F). A good heater and thermometer are a must.
- Pearl gourami: They only share 77°F. A good heater and thermometer are a must.
- Angelfish: Only a narrow shared temperature range (76–77°F). A good heater and thermometer are a must. Adult angelfish may eat small fish like zebra danios. Add the small fish first, as adults, in a big tank.
Avoid
- Fancy goldfish: Goldfish need cool water and grow big and messy. Keep them with other goldfish, not tropical fish.
- Common goldfish: Goldfish need cool water and grow big and messy. Keep them with other goldfish, not tropical fish.
Check a whole tank in the fish compatibility checker, or see if they fit with the stocking calculator.
More fish: All fish profiles · Fish care sheets · Fish finder