Zebra danio Tank Mates
Short answer: the best zebra danio tank mates are Dwarf gourami, Bristlenose pleco, Harlequin rasbora, Molly, Neon tetra, Platy. Zebra danios need 64–77 °F (18–25 °C), pH 6–8 and at least 20 gallons. Keep them in a group of 6 or more.
Zebra danio care at a glance
| Adult size | 2.0 in (5 cm) |
| Minimum tank | 20 US gallons |
| Temperature | 64–77 °F (18–25 °C) |
| pH | 6–8 |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Swims in | Top |
| Group size | Groups of 6+ |
| Care level | Easy |
gallon tank
✅ Compatible tank mates (44)
- Dwarf gourami
- Bristlenose pleco
- Harlequin rasbora
- Molly
- Neon tetra
- Platy
- Tiger barb
- Nerite snail
- Amano shrimp
- Celestial pearl danio
- Chili rasbora
- Ember tetra
- Mystery snail
- Otocinclus
- Panda cory
- Black skirt tetra
- Bronze cory
- Cardinal tetra
- Cherry barb
- Honey gourami
- Kuhli loach
- Rummy nose tetra
- Serpae tetra
- White cloud mountain minnow
- Swordtail
- Rainbow shark
- Red tail shark
- Siamese algae eater
- Common pleco
- Pygmy cory
- Sparkling gourami
- Black neon tetra
- Bloodfin tetra
- Cockatoo dwarf cichlid
- Dwarf neon rainbowfish
- Glass catfish
- Lemon tetra
- Peppered cory
- X-ray tetra
- Buenos Aires tetra
- Congo tetra
- Gold barb
- Odessa barb
- Rosy barb
⚠️ Possible with caution (16)
- Cherry shrimp — Zebra danio will eat baby cherry shrimp (and some individuals hunt adults), so a shrimp colony may not grow. Dense plants and moss help.
- Betta fish — Zebra danio sometimes nips long fins, so betta fish may get harassed.
- Guppy — Zebra danio sometimes nips long fins, so guppy may get harassed.
- Angelfish — Very narrow shared temperature range: Angelfish 24–30 °C (75–86 °F) vs Zebra danio 18–25 °C (64–77 °F).
- Endler's livebearer — Very narrow shared temperature range: Endler's livebearer 24–30 °C (75–86 °F) vs Zebra danio 18–25 °C (64–77 °F).
- Glowlight tetra — Very narrow shared temperature range: Glowlight tetra 24–28 °C (75–82 °F) vs Zebra danio 18–25 °C (64–77 °F).
- Kribensis — Very narrow shared temperature range: Kribensis 24–27 °C (75–81 °F) vs Zebra danio 18–25 °C (64–77 °F).
- Pearl gourami — Very narrow shared temperature range: Pearl gourami 24–30 °C (75–86 °F) vs Zebra danio 18–25 °C (64–77 °F).
- Three spot gourami — Very narrow shared temperature range: Three spot gourami 24–30 °C (75–86 °F) vs Zebra danio 18–25 °C (64–77 °F).
- Clown loach — Very narrow shared temperature range: Clown loach 24–30 °C (75–86 °F) vs Zebra danio 18–25 °C (64–77 °F).
- Forktail blue-eye — Very narrow shared temperature range: Forktail blue-eye 24–28 °C (75–82 °F) vs Zebra danio 18–25 °C (64–77 °F).
- Sterbai cory — Very narrow shared temperature range: Sterbai cory 24–28 °C (75–82 °F) vs Zebra danio 18–25 °C (64–77 °F).
- Upside-down catfish — Very narrow shared temperature range: Upside-down catfish 24–28 °C (75–82 °F) vs Zebra danio 18–25 °C (64–77 °F).
- Firemouth cichlid — An adult firemouth cichlid (up to 15 cm) may try to eat smaller zebra danio (5 cm), especially at night.
- Bolivian ram — Very narrow shared temperature range: Bolivian ram 24–28 °C (75–82 °F) vs Zebra danio 18–25 °C (64–77 °F).
- Chinese algae eater — Adult Chinese algae eater can latch onto other fish and rasp their slime coat.
❌ Not recommended (11)
- Fancy goldfish — An adult fancy goldfish (up to 20 cm) is big enough to eat zebra danio (5 cm).
- Oscar — An adult oscar (up to 35 cm) is big enough to eat zebra danio (5 cm).
- Pea puffer — Pea puffer is aggressive and will bully peaceful zebra danio.
- German blue ram — No comfortable shared temperature: German blue ram 27–30 °C (81–86 °F) vs Zebra danio 18–25 °C (64–77 °F).
- Electric yellow cichlid — Electric yellow cichlid is a Lake Malawi cichlid: it needs hard, alkaline water and an African-cichlid community, and is too boisterous for zebra danio.
- Discus — No comfortable shared temperature: Discus 26–30 °C (79–86 °F) vs Zebra danio 18–25 °C (64–77 °F).
- Paradise fish — Paradise fish is aggressive and will bully peaceful zebra danio.
- Convict cichlid — Convict cichlid is aggressive and will bully peaceful zebra danio.
- Boesemani rainbowfish — No comfortable shared temperature: Boesemani rainbowfish 27–30 °C (81–86 °F) vs Zebra danio 18–25 °C (64–77 °F).
- Jack Dempsey — An adult Jack Dempsey (up to 25 cm) is big enough to eat zebra danio (5 cm).
- Bala shark — An adult bala shark (up to 35 cm) is big enough to eat zebra danio (5 cm).
How many zebra danios per tank?
20 gal 29 gal 40 gal 55 gal 75 gal — see what else fits with our stocking calculator.
FAQ
What fish can live with zebra danios?
Good matches include Dwarf gourami, Bristlenose pleco, Harlequin rasbora, Molly, Neon tetra, Platy. They share a temperature range with zebra danios (64–77 °F (18–25 °C)), are a similar temperament, and are not big enough to eat each other or nip fins.
What fish should not live with zebra danios?
Avoid Fancy goldfish, Oscar, Pea puffer, German blue ram, Electric yellow cichlid, Discus.
What size tank do zebra danios need?
We recommend at least 20 US gallons for a group of 6 zebra danios, more if you add tank mates.
Can zebra danios live alone?
No. Zebra danios are social and should be kept in groups of at least 6.
Note: Compatibility depends on individual temperament, tank size, decor and how fish are introduced. Our verdicts use conservative rules applied to published care data (see methodology). They are guidance, not a guarantee. Quarantine new fish and watch for chasing, torn fins or hiding.