10 Best Tank Mates for Zebra Danio (Compatibility Guide 2022)

The Zebra Danio is a docile, peaceful fish that gets along with just about any tank mate. They are a popular choice for community tanks because they are hardy and easy to care for, social, and beautiful to look at. They are adaptable fish that can live in various aquatic conditions, making them popular tank mates for aquariums of all types. Of course, some fish are not suitable tank mates, and you’ll want your Zebra Danio to be happy and stress-free with their companions.

There are many fish that have similar temperaments and tank requirements as Zebra Danios, and these make ideal tank mates for them. We put together this list of 10 compatible tank mates for your Zebra Danio, and although there are certainly more, these are our favorites. Let’s dive in!

10 Best Tank Mates for Zebra Danio Fish in 2022

1. Cory Catfish (Corydoras)

Small, peaceful, and easygoing, Cory Catfish can happily live in various water parameters, so they are ideal tank mates for many fish, although whatever parameters you choose should remain as stable as possible. There are several Cory varieties that range in size and color, but all Corys are happiest in small schools of at least five or six fish. These fish tend to stay near the lower parts of the tank, so they will mostly be out of your Zebra Danio’s way.

2. Kuhli Loach (Pangio kuhlii)

Native to southern Asia, the Kuhli Loach is a unique addition to your community tank. They are ell-like fish, with long bodies covered with bold stripes and four barbels surrounding their mouth. They are typically inactive during the day and tend to come out at night to scavenge food, so a dim nightlight is a great addition to your tank to make sure you can observe them. They are generally easy to care for, but they are fairly susceptible to disease, so their water parameters need to stay consistent.

3. Swordtail (Xiphophorus helleri)

The Swordtail is a beautiful fish that comes in various colors and has an elongated tail fin that resembles a sword. These fish are adaptable and hardy and can thrive in a range of environments, making them ideal tank mates for many aquarium fish, including Zebra Danios. They like to live in small groups of at least four to five fish and are known for jumping, so keep your aquarium lid on tight!

4. Cardinal Tetras (Paracheirodon axelrodi)

The Cardinal Tetra is a popular addition to community tanks, with a beautiful red underside and a shiny strip of blue and green running down their body. These fish love to live in schools, so you’ll need a group of at least five to six fish, and this will help them feel safe and secure. They are known for being tranquil and peaceful fish and will bring a great sense of peace to your aquarium.

5. Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare)

Angelfish are among the most beautiful additions to any freshwater tank and will get along great with Zebra Danios. They are docile and peaceful fish — provided that they have plenty of space — but they do have social hierarchies within their small schools. These fish come in various colors and are gorgeous additions to any community tank.

6. Guppies (Poecilia reticulata)

There are hundreds of varieties of Guppies to choose from, with many color and pattern variations, although they are all tiny and make wonderful Danio tank mates. These small fish have a beautiful appearance no matter the variety, which is all the more emphasized when they school in your tank. They are peaceful, social, and active fish that are a joy to watch.

7. Three-Spotted Gourami (Trichopodus trichopterus)

Named for the distinctive black spots that run horizontally across the middle of their body (two and their eye), the Three-Spotted Gourami is a hardy and adaptable fish that does well with a variety of other fish, including Zebra Danios. Males tend to get aggressive toward other males, so they should be kept individually, although females are usually fine and can happily live in groups of two or three.

8. Bristlenose Pleco (Ancistrus cirrhosus)

Bristlenose Plecos are popular tank mates for community tanks due to their small size and ease of care. They are peaceful fish that will pose no threat to your Zebra Danios and tend to stick to the lower areas of the tank. They are unique-looking fish, with olive, grey, or brown wide, flat bodies and distinctive protective armor on their heads that gives them their name.

9. Clown Pleco (Panaque maccus)

The Clown Pleco is small and docile and prefers to keep to themselves at the bottom of your tank, making them an ideal tank mate for your Zebra Danio. They are uniquely beautiful fish, with black-and-white banding over their bodies, almost matching your Zebra Danios! While they are generally peaceful fish, males may get aggressive with other males at times, so they are best kept individually.

10. Barbs (Barbus)

There is a wide variety of Barbs available, and most can make great tank mates for Zebra Danios, although some can grow to over 1 foot long. You’ll want to keep species that stay under 6 inches, such as Gold or Zebra Barbs. They are active and energetic fish yet easygoing and rarely aggressive. Their range of color varieties can add a unique element to your community tank.

What Makes a Good Tank Mate for Zebra Danios?

Zebra Danios are fairly active fish that do well with other active species, although calmer, more docile species will also bring a sense of calm to your aquarium. Any fish that are not aggressive, are not much larger than your Danios, and have similar tank requirements will make great tank mates for them. Danios tend to stick to the top of the tank, so fish that stay in the middle or lower water levels are ideal.

Where Do Zebra Danio Fish Prefer to Live in the Aquarium?

In general, Zebra Danios stick to the top levels of the tank but may venture down to the middle levels occasionally. They enjoy having plenty of plants to hide and swim in to make them feel safe, as in the wild, they are usually found in seasonally flooded pools and rivers that have a large amount of vegetation.

Water Parameters

Zebra Danios are hardy fish that can thrive in various water conditions, but the optimal temperature for them is 64-82 degrees Fahrenheit, with a pH of 6.8-7.5. These fish are believed to have originated in India and Bangladesh. In the wild, they are found in several different habitats, including slow-flowing streams and flooded rice paddies and ponds.

Size

Zebra Danios are fairly small fish and in the wild, rarely grow larger than 2 inches. In a large tank or outdoor pond, however, they can grow bigger due to the additional space, but even then, they rarely exceed 3 inches in length. They are community fish, though, and prefer to live in small groups of four to five fish, so you’ll need at least 10 gallons of space.

Aggressive Behaviors

Zebra Danios are generally peaceful fish overall, although they can display aggressive behavior when they are not kept with many other fish. In tanks that are underpopulated, they may chase and nip at smaller fish to establish a hierarchy, but with a large enough school and a well-populated tank, they are generally peaceful. Inappropriate water conditions, an over- or under-populated tank, or too few females can all cause aggressive behavior.

Benefits of Having Tank Mates for Zebra Danios in Your Aquarium

In their natural habitat, Danios live with a variety of other fish species, so you’ll want to replicate this in captivity too.

Zebra Danio Tank Mates to Avoid

While Zebra Danios are peaceful fish that can live happily with a wide variety of tank mates, there are certainly a few species to avoid, including:

Conclusion

There are plenty of suitable tank mates for Zebra Danios, and this list contains just a handful of our favorites. Any fish that are not overly aggressive, share the same water parameter needs, or are not small enough to be seen as prey by your Danios usually make great tank mates.

Have you successfully kept any other fish as tank mates for your Zebra Danios? Let us know in the comments!

See Also: 10 Best Tank Mates for Giant Danio Fish

Featured Image Credit: topimages, Shutterstock