Zebra Danio (Danio rerio) – Hardy, Fast-Swimming Schooling Fish for Beginners, Community Tanks & Easy Home Breeding

The Zebra Danio (Danio rerio) is one of the most beloved and beginner-friendly freshwater fish in the aquarium hobby,  and for good reason. These fast-swimming, energetic little fish are extremely hardy, adapt to a wide range of water conditions, and thrive in peaceful community setups. With their iconic horizontal blue-and-silver stripes and playful schooling behavior, Zebra Danios bring nonstop movement, personality, and visual contrast to any aquarium.

Perfect for new aquarists, planted tanks, nano setups, classrooms, and hobbyists looking for easy home breeding, Zebra Danios are an excellent choice for both beauty and practicality. They’re active all day, peaceful with tankmates, inexpensive to maintain, and nearly bulletproof when given basic care.

🌟 Why Zebra Danios Are a Top Aquarium Choice

✔ Ultra-hardy & beginner-friendly
✔ Fast, active swimmers that energize the whole tank
✔ Peaceful and compatible with most community fish
✔ Cold-water tolerant (great for unheated tanks)
✔ Thrives in groups of 6+
✔ Breed easily at home with simple setups
✔ Beautiful blue and silver stripes that stand out in planted tanks
✔ Excellent for nano tanks, 10–40 gallons, and educational environments
✔ One of the best fish for teaching kids about aquarium care

🐟 Appearance & Behavior

Zebra Danios feature alternating blue, silver, and gold horizontal stripes from nose to tail, giving them a sleek, streamlined look that flashes under aquarium lighting. Their active schooling behavior creates a dynamic, coordinated movement that makes tanks feel more alive.

They’re curious, peaceful, and constantly exploring the mid-to-upper water column. Their speed also helps them thrive with more energetic community fish like tetras, livebearers, barbs, and rasboras.

🧪 Care Requirements

Tank Size: 10+ gallons (bigger schools do better in 20+)
Temperature: 64–77°F (extremely flexible; tolerates room-temp setups)
pH: 6.5–7.5
Hardness: Soft to moderately hard
Diet: Omnivore: flakes, micro pellets, baby brine shrimp, frozen foods
Behavior: Schooling, peaceful, active
Placement: Mid-to-top of the tank

Zebra Danios do not require heat unless your home is consistently below 65°F, making them ideal for low-energy or budget-friendly aquariums.

🍼 Easy Home Breeding (Beginner-Friendly)

Zebra Danios are one of the easiest egg-scattering fish to breed, making them perfect for hobbyists who want to try breeding projects.

Breeding highlights:
• Use a breeding tank with marbles, mesh, or plants to protect eggs
• Adults scatter eggs at dawn
• Eggs hatch in 2–3 days
• Fry become free-swimming by day 5
• Feed fry infusoria, then baby brine shrimp for fast growth

This species breeds readily and often, making it a favorite for small-scale home breeders and sellers looking for fast turnover and stable demand in the aquarium trade.

🤝 Community Tank Compatibility

Zebra Danios get along well with:

• Tetras
• Rasboras
• Livebearers (guppies, platys, mollies)
• Corydoras
• Otocinclus
• Small rainbowfish
• Dwarf gouramis
• Snails & shrimp (they may pick at newborn shrimp fry)

Avoid pairing with slow long-fin fish like bettas, as Zebra Danios may outcompete them at feeding time.

🌿 Tank Setup Tips

• Keep 6 or more to reduce nipping and boost confidence
• Provide open swimming areas
• Add some plants for contrast and shelter
• Use a strong filter for oxygenation (they love current!)
• Dim or natural lighting works beautifully with their stripes

Their constant movement pairs well with green plants like anacharis, hornwort, vallisneria, and floating water lettuce.

🛒 Why Buy Zebra Danios From Us?

• Healthy, active, well-fed juveniles
• Raised in clean, stable water conditions
• Ideal size for new tanks and community setups
• Priority shipping available for live arrival protection

We ensure you receive lively, vibrant fish ready to brighten your aquarium from day one.