Zebra Danio

Overview

The Zebra Danio (Danio rerio) is a Freshwater (Tropical) fish growing to about 2 in and living 3–5 yrs. It's peaceful (active) and best kept in a school of its own kind. Plan a tank of at least 10–20 gal. With a typical lifespan of around 4 years, it's a shorter commitment.

Is the Zebra Danio right for you?

A good match if — you're new to fishkeeping and want a hardy species; you like the look of a moving shoal and can keep a group; you want a calm community tank.

Think twice if — you only want a single fish.

What a Zebra Danio needs from you

The ongoing work is water quality: filtration, regular water changes and stable parameters. As a tropical fish it needs a stable, heated tank. This is a schooling fish — keep a group, never a lone individual. Don't undersize the tank (minimum about 10–20 gal).

Key facts

Water type

Freshwater (Tropical)

Scientific name

Danio rerio

Adult size

2 in

Life span

3–5 yrs

Temperament

peaceful (active)

Social needs

schooling (6+)

Min. tank

10–20 gal

Care level

beginner

Notes

Very hardy; great cycling/starter fish; fast

What it needs from you (at a glance)

What it costs

Scaled to this breed’s roughly 10 g and a ~4-year life, keeping a Zebra Danio works out at about:

Rough cross-breed averages in USD — a planning guide, not a quote. Break it down by life phase in the Cost Calculator →

Temperament (at a glance)