The 19 Best Zebra Danios Tank Mates
Zebra Danios are schooling fish that like to play in groups. Their shoaling instinct helps them stay safe from predators and also provides them with a hierarchy within the group.
This is why it’s important to choose the right tank mates for these guys. With the right companions, they’ll turn your aquarium into a lively and entertaining space!
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about choosing the best tank mates for your zebra danios.
1. Neon Tetra
Neon tetras are active peaceful fish that make great tank mates for zebra danios.
They have similar conditions and can even share the same food in the community tank.
They’re popular freshwater fish in the aquarium trade due to their adaptability and hardiness.
To make tetras feel comfortable in their new home, you can add floating plants as well as tall plants like Cryptocoryne wendtii and Brazilian pennywort.
Neon Tetra Characteristics
2. Ember Tetras (Hyphessobrycon Amandae)
Ember tetras are docile fish that make great friends for zebra danios.
These little cuties are perfect for community tanks and will make your aquarium more lively with their playful antics.
Also, these tetra species are shy fish, so you might want to consider adding more plants to the tank. This will give them a place to hide when other fish try to harass them.
3. Rummy Nose Tetra
Rummy nose tetras are unique-looking fish that make great tank mates for zebra Danios. They have transparent bodies with greenish gradients and red noses.
However, when they are stressed, the red spots on their nose will fade away. So, it’s important to choose tank mates that won’t stress them out.
To mimic the shaded areas in their habitat, you should cover the aquarium with plants. This way, they will feel more comfortable and secure.
Rummy Nose Tetra Characteristics
- Size: 2.5 inches
- Color: Semi-transparent body with a greenish gradient under normal conditions
- Water Temperature: 75-84 °F
- pH Level: 6.2-7.0
- Community Tank: Seven species
4.Cardinal Tetra (Paracheirodon Axelrodi)
The Cardinal Tetras are a hardy and low-maintenance species, making them one of the most popular freshwater fish in the aquarium hobby.
They are shoaling fish that enjoy the company of others and they feel stressed when they are alone, much like a lone Zebra Danio.
To ensure your cardinals are getting proper nutrition, feed them a variety of protein-rich live or frozen food, as well as prepared flakes and pellets.
Cardinal Tetra Characteristics
- Lifespan: About 4 years
- Size: Around 2 inches
- Color: Their underside is a brilliant crimson, with an icy blue-green strip at the end
- Temperature: 73-81 degrees Fahrenheit
- Diet Type: Carnivorous
5. Corydoras Catfish
Corydoras catfish are popular among fish enthusiasts for their gentle dispositions, making them ideal buddies for zebra danios.
They originate from South America where they commonly inhabit lakes and streams.
There are several types of corys, each with its own set of characteristics. One of the most typical is the Bandit Corys, which have a black mask over their eyes.
Another significant type is Bronze Corys, which will brighten up your tank by providing black, albino, green, and bronze color variants.
Also, they are amazing scavengers that will clean your tank. You should feed them sinking flakes and pellets since they are bottom feeders.
Corydoras Catfish Characteristics
- Origin: South America
- Water Temperature: 70-80 °F
- pH Level: 6.0-8.0
- Diet Type: omnivorous
- Community Type: Five species or more
6. Kuhli Loach
The Kuhli loach is a tropical freshwater fish from Southern Asia that lives in river sand and tends to hide in shaded places.
They have an eel-like form and four barbels around the mouth. Its bright yellow body is bordered by 12-17 vertical dark vertical stripes, and its iris is pink.
These loaches are daytime scavengers and will explore the entire tank at night.
To make them feel safe in your tank, you can use a soft substrate for them to sink into when they feel threatened.
Also, you can add peat moss to your tank which will simulate the leaf litter in their natural habitats.
A plus, these fish need well-oxygenated water, so you should install a filter with a circulation rate of 10-15 times per hour.
Kuhli Loach Characteristics
- Origin: Southern Asia
- Size: 3 inches
- Water Temperature: 73-86 °F
- pH Level: 5.5-6.5
- Community Tank: At least six species
7. Goldfish
The goldfish is a popular ornamental fish, despite the fact that it may receive improper care.
Many breeders keep them in tiny bowls or containers which will make them sick and die young.
Although they originate from Asia and Eastern Europe, they are captive-bred for years. Thus, you can find them in a multitude of colors and shapes at your local pet store.
Goldfish Characteristics
- Origin: Asia and Eastern Europe
- Tank Size: 6 to 8 gallons
- Water Temperature: 65-74 °F
8. Three-Spotted Gourami
The three-spotted gourami’s name comes from the vertical black dots on their body.
Even though there are only two visible dots, the eye is included as the third spot.
They swim in all areas of the tank, so be sure to give them plenty of space to explore.
Also, if you see them gulping air at the surface, don’t freak out! They have a labyrinth organ to absorb oxygen from the air.
Three-Spotted Gourami Characteristics
- Size: 6 inches
- Water Temperature: 73-82 °F
9. Bristlenose Pleco (Ancistrus Cirrhosus)
The Bristlenose plecos are popular among aquarists because they don’t require a lot of care and space.
The fish naturally lives in floodplains and rivers throughout the Amazon region.
They have a bony armor that protects them from other fish that may attack so be sure not to put them in a tank with aggressive fish.
Also, avoid congestion on your tank floor since these plecos require enough space to forage in the substrate.
Bristlenose Pleco Characteristics
- Origin: Amazon river system
- Genus: Ancistrus
- Color: Olive, grey, or brown with yellow or white spots
- Body Type: Flat body featuring bony plates
- Lifespan: 5 years
- Size: 3 and 5 inches long
- Water Temperature: 60 and 80 °F
- pH Level: 5.5-7.6
- Temperament: Peaceful
10.Clown Pleco (Panaque Maccus)
The Clown Pleco is a very hardy fish that can live in a wide range of water conditions.
Although they get along well with zebra danios, clown plecos may become aggressive fish when they feel threatened or are trying to protect their territory.
Also, you should avoid keeping two male clown plecos together since they will fight for dominance.
Clown Pleco Characteristics
- Size: 3-4 inches
- Lifespan: up to 10 years, sometimes longer
- Color: Dark black and white or orange banding
- Temperature: 73-82 degrees Fahrenheit
- Temperament: Peaceful
- Diet Type: Omnivorous
11. Angelfish
The angelfish are native to South America, where they inhabit several river systems including the Amazon River Basin.
Since these fish species are active diggers, you should add fine and soft substrate. To replicate their natural home, you can use Amazonian plants.
Angelfish Characteristics
- Origin: South America
- Lifespan: 10-12 years old
- Size: Up to 12 inches
- Tank Size: 80-gallon tank or larger
- Water Temperature: 75-82 °F
- pH Level: 6.8-7
12. Guppies
Amongst aquarists, guppies are a very popular breed with over 300 different types to choose from.
They are South American natives, but they are captive-bred nowadays in many different colors and patterns.
In addition, they are very active in an aquarium, especially when they’re in groups.
However, the males can stress the females by chasing them and attempting to impress them with their colors.
Guppies Characteristics
- Water Temperature: 75-82 °F
- pH Level: 6-7.2
13. Mollies
Mollies are simple to maintain in an aquarium and can be a great addition to any community tank.
Also, they are livebearers, which means that they give birth to live fry instead of eggs.
Additionally, they spend most of their time on the top and middle levels of the tank, and they enjoy heavily planted aquariums.
Therefore, you should give them enough space with plenty of hiding places.
Mollies Characteristics
- Size: 4.5 inches
- Water Temperature: 72-78 °F
- pH Level: 6.7-8.5
- Community Tank: At least four mollies
- Temperament: Peaceful
14. Platys (Xiphophorus Maculatus)
Platy fish are livebearers like guppies, mollies, and swordtails. With good living conditions, your tank will be full of platy fry in no time!
The following are some of the types you can expect to see at your local pet store:
- Red Coral
- Come
- Bleeding-Heart
- Salt and Pepper
In addition, they are excellent jumpers that can spring right out of the aquarium when they’re startled. So be sure your tank has a tight-fitting lid.
Platys Characteristics
- Origin: Central America and Southern Mexico
- Lifespan: About 3 years
- Size: 2 ½ – 3 inches
- Color: red, green, blue, and yellow
- Water Temperature: 68-82 degrees Fahrenheit
- Temperament: Peaceful
- Diet Type: omnivorous
15.Swordtails (Xiphophorus Hellerii)
Swordtails are recognizable by their long, sword-like tailfin. The bottom part of the fin is elongated, which gives it a sword-like appearance.
Although they are peaceful fish, you should keep them at about a 3 or 4:1 female-to-male ratio to prevent the males from harassing the females.
In addition, they are jumpers and may leap out of your aquarium when they got the chance. Therefore, you should tightly secure your tank lid.
Swordtail Characteristics
- Lifespan: 3-5 years
- Size: Up to 6 inches
- Tank Size: 5 gallons or larger
- Water Temperature: 72-79 degrees Fahrenheit
- Diet Type: Omnivorous
16. Small Barbs (Pethia Gelius)
The Small Barb is a beautiful and low-maintenance fish that can be great buddies for your zebra danios.
The following barb species can cohabit with Zebra danios:
- Gold Barb
- Zebra Barb
- Black Ruby Barb
Small Barbs Characteristics
- Lifespan: Up to 5 years, depending on species and care
- Size: 6 inches or under
- Color: Silvery or bright greenback and a metallic blue belly with blue fins.
- Temperature: 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit
- Temperament: Peaceful
17.Harlequin Rasbora (Trigonostigma Heteromorpha)
The Harlequin Rasbora is a fantastic companion for zebra danios in a tank since they are hardy fish that can endure a wide range of water conditions.
These fish prefer a densely planted tank with countless hiding spots. However, the substrate is not a vital concern to them since they don’t spend much time at the bottom of aquariums.
A plus, they have the same dietary needs as zebra danios. You can give them a variety of foods, including:
- Micro pellets
- Flake food
- Plankton
- Worms
- Small crustaceans
- Insects
Harlequin Rasbora Characteristics
- Lifespan: Around 5 years
- Size: 1-4 inches
- Colors: Pink, yellow, and red
- Temperature: 75-81 degrees Fahrenheit
- Temperament: Peaceful
18.Honey Gourami (Trichogaster Chuna)
The Honey Gourami fish is a species that belongs to the Trichogaster genus.
These fish have long, slender bodies with small mouths, and two fins running along their sides from top to bottom.
This gives them a smooth, streamlined shape that many people find appealing.
Also, they get their name from the honey-colored scales that are sometimes visible in males (the females are usually gray or silver).
Males develop modifications as they mature, while females retain this duller coloration.
Although they’re not usually aggressive, one fish in the group may establish dominance by bullying the more docile ones.
Thus, you should pay close attention to this and intervene when necessary.
Also, they are enthusiastic eaters that will consume just about everything placed in the tank, including vegetables and meat.
Honey Gourami Characteristics
- Size: up to 3 inches
- Lifespan: up to 8 years
- Temperature: 74-82 degrees Fahrenheit
- Community Tank: 4-6 fellow tropical fish
- Temperament: Peaceful
19. Ghost Shrimp (Palaemonetes paludosus)
The Ghost Shrimp inhabit many tropical and subtropical areas around the world.
It is an environmentally friendly shrimp as it feeds primarily on detritus and organic matter which scavenges from the water.
Also, it’s sometimes entertaining to include something that isn’t a real fish in your aquatic community and ghost shrimp is usually a good choice.
Just make sure any other fish you pick aren’t big enough to consume these tiny creatures!
Also, they will help keep your fish tank clean by scavenging bits of food and other debris.
Since they’re voracious eaters, you should provide some additional snacks for them outside of their regular meals.
Ghost Shrimp Characteristics
- Size: 2 inches
- Temperature: 68-85 degrees Fahrenheit
FAQs
Are Zebra Danios Freshwater Fish?
Zebra danios are freshwater fish that are native to the Indian subcontinent and south Asia.
What Do Zebra Danios Eat?
Zebra danios are omnivores, which means they will consume both plant and animal matter.
In the wild, their diet consists of small insects, crustaceans, and larvae. In captivity, they can consume a variety of foods, including:
- Baby brine shrimp
- Daphnia
- Bloodworms
- Tubifex worms
- Vegetables
Are Zebra Danio Fish Species Prone to Disease?
Zebra Danios are prone to the same diseases as other freshwater fish like ich. The infected fish will develop white spots on their body, fins, and gills.
How Do you Take Care of Zebra Danios?
Zebra Danio care is relatively easy since they are hardy fish. They can endure a wide range of water conditions and are not picky eaters.
To take care of them, you should:
- Provide a tank with plenty of hiding spots and vegetation
- Perform regular water changes
- Feed them a variety of foods
- Monitor the tank for signs of disease
How to Choose Zebra Danio Tank Mates?
When choosing zebra danios tank mates, you should consider the following:
- Size: Make sure the fish are not big enough to eat the zebra danios
- Temperament: Choose fish that have a similar temperament. Zebra danios are relatively peaceful fish, so they should be paired with other peaceful species
- Diet: Choose fish that have a similar diet
- Water conditions: Make sure the fish can tolerate the same water conditions as the zebra danios.
Last Words
Zebra danios are peaceful, social fish that make great tank mates for a variety of different species.
When choosing companions for your zebra danio, it’s important to consider the fish’s size, diet, and temperament, water conditions as the zebra danio.
We hope you enjoyed this article. If you have any questions feel free to leave a comment below.
