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Long fin variety

Perhaps the most common fish in the world. The zebra has been around for many years. Although not one most beautiful fish, its fast movements and ease of care make it one of the most widely kept species.

Quick stats: Listed tank sizes are the minimum Size: Up to 2 1/2 inches (6cm) Tank: 20 inches + Strata: All, mostly top and middle. PH: 6.5-7.2 Hardness: Soft, medium-hard Temperature: 65 to 78°F (18 to 24°C) Classification: Order: Cypriniformes Suborder: Cyprinidei Family: Cyprinidae Genera: Brachydanio

Typical Zebra habitat

 

Common name: Zebra Danio , Zebra fish Image gallery: Additional species photographs Discuss: Badmans' Forum Distribution Asia: India to Bangladesh

General Body Form:

Long and slender, you could say the Zebra has the classic fish shape. There are really no distinguishing features that make the Zebra stand out. The mouth faces slightly upward and has two sets of Barbels. Females are generally larger with a more rounded belly.

Although, not a stunning fish the Zebra is handsome in its own way. The background color is leans toward gold in the male and a paler Yellow in the female. There are four long Blue / Black stripes that run the length of the body from head to tail. The combination give a stripped effect and the basis of the common name. The anal and caudal fins has the same pattern. The top portion of the body is Brown and the belly area a pale Yellow.

In their home waters the zebra is extremely active and always on the move. We need to provide for this in our home aquariums. The tank should be fairly large with length being more important than height. The ideal tank should be at least thirty inches in length. Decorate the tank with plantings and rockwork, but always leave plenty of open space for swimming. They will take all types of commercial food from live , flake to frozen. They are a hardy species that are not overly demanding in their water conditions and make the ideal fish for the cycling of the tank. Today we see many inbred and twisted zebras in the store tanks, and it would be nice to see some fresh importation from the wild to give vigor back to our tank-bred strains.

Found in clear fast flowing streams and similar waters. They tend to stay in large open areas near the surface

Zebras are one of the easiest fish to breed providing you meet certain requirements. Condition the zebras with the best food possible (white worms, or tubifex ) for a week or so. Then you will need a separate tank, Preferably 5-10 gallons. The tank should have gravel or marbles on the bottom and the water level kept low or the fish will eat the eggs as soon as they are laid. Put several conditioned Danios in the tank to make sure you have both male and female. Watch for the spawning activity. Once the eggs are laid they fall in between the marbles and the parents cannot eat them. Once a few hours have passed remove the fish. The eggs should hatch in a day or so and if after a couple of days you see no fry you may try again after the fish are rested and reconditioned. Raising the fry can be difficult. Once they are free swimming you should feed them with finely ground flakes, paramecium, inforusia or commercial liqui-fry.

Zebra Danio Click photo to buy

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From: Laura Date:02/18/2008 I think these fish are underrated because they're so cheap to buy and easy to keep. They have loads of character, very playful and curious, are wonderful to watch, and I think they're very attractive with the blue and gold stripes. I really recommend them highly, and not just for cycling the tank. From: Courtney Date:10/19/2007 I think Zebra Danios are great! I just bought two to cycle my tank with and they have been doing great. I will probably get more because they are a schooling fish. They are very hardy and they get along with just about any other fish. At first when you see them you might think that they look boring but they are sooooo much fun to watch. Mine play "tag" with each other, don't worry they don't hurt each other. I am really glad that I got mine. But like I said you should have more than just one or two, you should have about four or five at least. They don't get to big either so they won't take up two much room in your tank. They get to be about 2 inches when full grown but I think the males are longer and thinner than the females which tend to be shorter and fatter/rounder. I know that because the two I have now are a male and a female. If you have room in your tank I definitely recommend these fun little fish!!! From: Mr. Fishman Date:4/23/2007 These fish are some of the most energetic fish you can buy, and where I get them they are only 79 cents. I do not agree that they must be kept in a 30 inch tank, I had six in a 10 gallon with some cories. Please do not keep them with larger fin nippers, as a Buenos Aires Tetra bit one of my danio's tail, and it then got stuck to the outside of my filter. They do not eat very much, so be careful not to overfeed them. Although these fish are not very cool looking, they are a great beginner fish and are entertaining to watch. From: Gary Lasseter Date:3/11/2007 I have recently started back breeding zebra danios. I was surprised to see the method I use to breed them is nowhere on the Internet. It's quite simple, I just take about 6 or 7 of them (half male half female) and put them in a plastic breeding trap with the bottom taken out. I leave them in the aquarium overnight and in the morning I have hundreds of eggs all over the bottom of the tank. I then take them out and watch the eggs develop and hatch. I find it much more enjoyable and way less complicated. I strongly urge anyone interested in breeding zebras to try it. From: Laurel Date:10/15/2006 Zebra Danios are some of the cutest fish to keep. I don't like the long finned variety(Something to me doesn't look right). They are very hardy little fish and I have heard they're common. I disagree with this profile saying they need a 20+ inch tank. I have 6(2 are about 1.5 in + 4 are less then 1 in) in a 10G aquarium... I will be getting more about 4-9 but this will occur once I get my 55G tank(Late Dec. Early Jan.)... They are wonderful to have especially if you're a beginner as they not Water Sensitive(as long as it's not like 8.5 pH or something like that). Badmans note: A ten gallon tank is 20" long. From: Ronnie Date:04/6/2005 Excellent fish to cycle your tank with if not used in abundance (5 per 20 gallons). Can be fin nippers if in overcrowded condition but otherwise an excellent starter fish. From: David Date:11/9/2004 Breeding - a method I use with lots of success: Float a mat of alga on the surface of their aquarium (spyrogira is good) and watch the fish leap onto the mat and spawn on there and then. Remove the mat and put into a black bucket with fresh clean water in it. If you keep the the temperature at 80 deg F - you should see the young sticking to the side of the bucket in a day or so (up to seven days I find) Once they are free swimming CAREFULLY remove them to a small container and feed "Liquifry" and then, later, micro worm. If you do it right - you can get plenty of fry from one spawning. Happy breeding. From: OrrMate Date:08/18/2001 A brilliant fish for beginners,easy to raise,fins grow big and flowing,which,disagreeing with what it says in the profile,makes it a beautiful fish. From: connel Date:08/23/2001 This fish is quite easy to keep and to breed, its a good community fish and does well in a well planted tank CLICK HERE FOR MORE COMMENTS

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