What fish can live with Zebra Danio?

Pair with corydoras, similarly active tetras (lemon, black skirt), barbs. Avoid bettas, fancy guppies, slow gouramis, angelfish.

What tank mates should you avoid with Zebra Danio?

Avoid Betta, Oscar, Tiger Barb based on size, temperament, or predation risk on file.

What size tank do Zebra Danio need for a community?

80L or more with at least 60 cm of length. Cube and column tanks frustrate them; they need horizontal cruising space.

Zebra Danio tank mates

Classic 'starter' fish that's actually misused. They're hyperactive jumpers that need long tanks and stress slow-moving fish.

Evidence: verified

Confidence: high

Lists below are built from this species record (safest, best with, risky, unsafe) — each link opens a pair-level check, not a guarantee.

← Full Zebra Danio profile·Compatibility checker·Tank builder·More barb

Best tank mates (on file)

Merged from conservative safest and best with fields — de-duplicated by species.

Cherry Barb Pair check
The Zebra Danio profile lists Cherry Barb as both safe and a recommended pairing. Cherry Barb schools in groups of 6 or more, so plan room for the whole group rather than one fish.
Corydoras Catfish Pair check
The Zebra Danio profile lists Corydoras Catfish as both safe and a recommended pairing. Corydoras Catfish schools in groups of 6 or more, so plan room for the whole group rather than one fish. Corydoras Catfish swims in the bottom zone while Zebra Danio stays in the top, so the two will not crowd the same water column.
Harlequin Rasbora Pair check
The Zebra Danio profile lists Harlequin Rasbora as both safe and a recommended pairing. Harlequin Rasbora schools in groups of 6 or more, so plan room for the whole group rather than one fish.
Neon Tetra Pair check
The Zebra Danio profile lists Neon Tetra as both safe and a recommended pairing. Neon Tetra schools in groups of 6 or more, so plan room for the whole group rather than one fish.
Platy Pair check
The Zebra Danio profile lists Platy as both safe and a recommended pairing. Platy is a peaceful beginner-care species with a 60L minimum. Run the pair checker for your specific tank before stocking.

Risky or situational

From risky tank mates and broad avoid with (excluding “unsafe” below). May work with species-only setups, more water, or mature systems — read the pair page.

None on file beyond the safe list.

Fish to avoid with Zebra Danio

From the unsafe list — predation, aggression, or space rules on this profile.

Betta See why (pair)
Betta conflicts with Zebra Danio on temperament, predation, or footprint. The juvenile size in a shop tank is not the figure that matters here.
Oscar See why (pair)
Oscar reaches 35cm and is flagged predatory. Zebra Danio at 5cm is prey-sized for it. Oscar needs at least 300L, far above the 60L minimum for Zebra Danio. The tank that houses one stresses the other. Oscar is rated aggressive and Zebra Danio is rated peaceful. No community-style planning carries that gap.
Tiger Barb See why (pair)
Tiger Barb conflicts with Zebra Danio on temperament, predation, or footprint. The juvenile size in a shop tank is not the figure that matters here.

Tank size and groups

Published minimum for Zebra Danio: 60L — group minimum 6 (schooling).
Compatibility changes when the tank is too short for turning, too little for a real school, or too warm for one species and not the other — that is why pair checks include tank context, not only temperament.
Nearest litre hub to this minimum: 60L hub.

Plan before you buy

Pair checks for every mix, then multi-species stocking in the builder.

Open compatibility checker Tank builder

Filtration & heating

A 60L minimum tank for Zebra Danio needs a filter rated for at least 240L/hr turnover and a heater maintaining 18–26°C.

Filter buying guide →Heater buying guide →Beginner plants guide →

Related (care + temperament)

Other species that list Zebra Danio

Reverse lookup: these profiles reference Zebra Danio under safe or “best with” lists.