What Fish Can Live With Zebra Danios: 20 Best Tankmates
Zebra danios (Danio rerio) are one of the more popular and most commonly kept fish in aquariums. They are available in various sizes, colors, and shapes, and they will make a good pet for beginners or an addition if you already have an established fish tank.
There are many different types of fish that can be kept with zebra Danios. Some popular choices include Ember tetras, guppies, plecos, and tetras. Zebra danios can pretty much live happily with most other types of fish, as long as they have plenty of space. There are many other fish that can be a great addition to an aquarium with zebra danios, so it is important to match the species of fish with the specific needs of your tank. Trying out various types at home will help you find just the right one for your home aquarium.
Table of Contents
What Are the Best Tankmates for Zebra Danios?
Ember Tetras (Hyphessobrycon amandae)
Ember tetras are one of many tetra species or freshwater aquarium fish that you can pick as a pet. They have a unique swimming motion that enables them to be a great addition to your home aquarium. They are not very aggressive and are peaceful with other fish. Ember tetras can be kept in a single tank or multiple tanks, but they will need plenty of space to swim around. They prefer to have plants for cover, so if you do not have live plants, you may want to consider adding some artificial ones. If you choose to add them to a planted tank, make sure that the plant leaves do not hang over the water surface.
Guppies (Poecilia reticulata)
Guppies are another popular fish species that can be kept with zebra danios. They come in a variety of colors and sizes, which means there is likely one that would fit nicely into your home aquarium setup. Guppies are easily cared for and enjoy being around other fish, but they also like to planted tanks with lots of vegetation for cover. Make sure the plants do not touch the water surface or the guppies may get stressed.
Plecos (Hypostomus plecostomus)
Plecos are a great choice as a tankmate for zebra danios because they can adapt well to most aquarium settings and will eat just about anything that is put in their tank. They come in different colors and can be very active, so you should consider placing them in an environment where they will not be disturbed by other fish.
Bristlenose Pleco (Ancistrus cirrhosus)
The Bristlenose Pleco is a type of pleco that belongs to the genus Ancistrus. It is a small, freshwater fish that can be found in many different parts of the world. The Bristlenose Pleco has a lifespan of around 5 years and typically grows between 3 and 5 inches long.
Clown Pleco (Panaque maccus)
The Clown Pleco is a very hardy fish that is found in the aquarium hobby. This pleco will eat anything it can fit into its mouth and rarely needs to be fed. These fish are omnivores and have a diet of algae, plants, live foods, and dry foods. These fish are usually peaceful with other tank mates such as zebra danios but they will sometimes show aggression when they feel threatened or as a way to protect their territory.
Platys (Xiphophorus maculatus)
Platys are another peaceful fish that is suitable for most home aquariums with zebra danios. Platys are a type of freshwater fish that are found in the freshwaters of Central America and Southern Mexico. Platys also grow up to 2.1 inches which are just suitable with zebra danios.
Kuhli Loach (Pangio kuhlii)
The Kuhli Loach is a cool-water fish that can be kept with zebra danios in most home aquariums. They are easy to care for and come in many different colors, so you will be able to find one that perfectly fits your style and décor. One downside to keeping the kuhli loach with zebra danio is that they may eat some of the smaller fish in your aquarium.
Swordtails (Xiphophorus hellerii)
Swordtails are great for beginners, but also make excellent pets for people who have experience with other aquarium fish. The swordtail is a livebearer freshwater fish that requires the same care as zebra danios. It’s generally hardy and can be kept with small fish in a tank of 5 gallons or larger.
Cory Catfish (Corydoras)
Cory catfish can be a great choice as a tankmate for zebra danios because they are peaceful and tolerant of other fish. Corys generally only grow to about 2.5 inches, so they will not eat any of the smaller fish in your aquarium. They do require fresh water and should be kept in tanks with at least 15 gallons of water, but are otherwise relatively easy to take care of.
Cardinal Tetra (Paracheirodon axelrodi)
The Cardinal Tetra is another peaceful fish that can be kept with zebra danios in most home aquariums. They are hardy and require minimal care, making them a great choice for beginner aquarists. They are bright, colorful fish that is not only attractive to look at, but also quite fun to watch.
Small Barbs (Pethia gelius)
The Small Barb is a fun and easy to care for fish that can be kept with zebra danios in most home aquariums. They are peaceful fish and generally only grow to about 1.5 inches, making them an ideal choice for beginners. Small barbs do require some water changes to keep them healthy, but other than that they are relatively low-maintenance fish. These fish do not grow large but they do put on a show! They have a silvery or bright greenback and a metallic blue belly. Their fins are also blue.
Harlequin Rasbora (Trigonostigma heteromorpha)
The Harlequin Rasbora is another great choice for a tank mate for zebra danios. They are hardy fish and can tolerate other inhabitants in your aquarium. These rasboras typically grow to about 2 inches, making them an ideal size for most home tanks. They have darting speeds that make them difficult to catch, so they are usually best kept in smaller aquariums. However, with proper care, these fish can be quite fun to watch. They are typically brightly colored and come in a variety of colors, including pink, yellow, and red.
Honey Gourami (Trichogaster chuna)
Honey Gourami are a species of fish belonging to the genus Trichogaster. They are popular aquarium fish and are fairly small with a slender body and smallmouth. It has two fins that cover most of its body from top to bottom, making it look very sleek and streamlined.
Ghost Shrimp (Palaemonetes paludosus)
The Ghost Shrimp is a type of shrimp that can be found in many tropical and subtropical areas around the world. It is considered an environmentally friendly shrimp as it feeds primarily on detritus and organic matter which scavenges from the water.
Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare)
Angelfish are a species of colorful, but small, fish. They have large eyes, big lips, and their bodies are covered in bright patterns. Angelfish come from the Cichlidae family and can be found in oceans all over the world, including Indian, the Atlantic, and the Pacific.
Three Spot Gourami (Trichopodus trichopterus)
The Three Spot Gourami is a type of fish that belongs to the genus Trichopodus. It has three spots on its side which are usually white but can be colored yellow or red.
Neon Tetra (Paracheirodon innesi)
The neon tetra is one of the most popular freshwater fish, and it is also very attractive to home aquarists. It has a dark red body with silver stripes on its head, which makes it easy to identify in the aquarium.
Rummy Nose Tetra (Hemigrammus rhodostomus)
The rummy nose tetra is a type of fish that belongs to the genus Hemigrammus. It has a broad u-shaped head with a bulbous snout, and it can be found in many tropical and subtropical areas around the world.
Goldfish (Carassius auratus)
The goldfish is a type of fish that belongs to the family of Minnows and Carps. It has a body that is usually light yellow or orange, but it can also be dark brown or black. Goldfish are popular in home aquaria because they are easy to care for and they come in many different colors and patterns. We all know the concept of goldfish. They’re small, cute, and live in a bowl. But, they also have their own nutritional needs.
Mollies (Poecilia sphenops)
Mollies are freshwater fish that belongs to the family Poeciliidae. They can be found in lakes, rivers, and streams all over the world, but they are especially common in North America. Mollies have smooth scales and beautiful colors that vary depending on their location.
What Fish Are Bad Tankmates for Zebra Danios?
Fish With Long Fins
You should avoid any fish species with elongated fins. Long-finned fishes are not recommended as a tankmate for zebra danios because they can become stressed out by the presence of these flashy creatures.
Extremely Calm Fish
You should also avoid any fish that is too docile. These types of fish are not adaptable to a new environment and could become stressed if they are kept with zebra danios. Instead, select a species of fish that is aggressive but also gentle enough to handle the excitement of living alongside these colorful fellows.
Large Cichlids
Large cichlids are not typically recommended as a tankmate for zebra danios. These fish can get large enough to potentially eat your zebra danios and they also need a lot of space in their aquarium to move around.
Piranhas
Piranhas are an excellent example of nature at its most aggressive. Their ability to feed on small prey without being disturbed by the struggling prey makes them a potent threat, especially to zebra danios. However, if you know what you’re doing, they can be safely kept in aquariums.