Zebra Danio

Danio rerio

Least Concern Freshwater

Max Length

5.0 cm

Max Weight

0.001 kg

Color

Silver to pale gold body …

Family

Danionidae

About

The zebrafish is a small cyprinid native to South Asia's freshwater streams. Its distinctive blue-and-gold horizontal stripes and hardy nature make it a popular aquarium fish. It is also the most widely used vertebrate model organism in genetic research.

Physical Description

Measurement	Value
Maximum Length	5.0 cm
Maximum Weight	0.001 kg

Coloration

Silver to pale gold body with five continuous horizontal royal-blue stripes running from gill to tail tip, including through the fins; belly silvery-white; fins clear with blue-gold striping.

Habitat & Distribution

Fast-flowing, clear mountain streams of the Ganges-Brahmaputra region, India and Bangladesh. Clean, well-oxygenated, shallow water with sandy and gravelly substrate (18-26°C). Lab model organism.

Water Type

Freshwater

Geographic Range

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Conservation Status

Least Concern IUCN Red List

Zebra Danio is classified as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Edibility & Culinary

Taste

Not consumed — a hardy ornamental aquarium fish notable for its horizontal blue-silver stripes and active schooling behavior; also a widely used laboratory model organism.

Aquarium Care

Care Level

Temperament

Peaceful

Min Tank Size

40 liters

Temperature

18-24

pH Range

6.0-8.0

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Taxonomy

Order	Cypriniformes (Carps and minnows)
Family	Danionidae (Danios)
Species	Danio rerio

Names in Other Languages

Language	Name
Spanish	Danio cebra

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you eat Zebra Danio?

Not consumed — a hardy ornamental aquarium fish notable for its horizontal blue-silver stripes and active schooling behavior; also a widely used laboratory model organism.

How big does Zebra Danio get?

Zebra Danio can grow up to 5.0 cm long and weigh 0.001 kg.

Is Zebra Danio good for aquariums?

Zebra danio has a easy care level, a peaceful temperament, requires a minimum tank size of 40 liters.

Where is Zebra Danio found?

Native to the Ganges and Brahmaputra river basins of Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Myanmar. Inhabits fast-flowing hill streams, rice paddies, and shallow ponds across the Bengal and Himalayan foothills region. Fast-flowing, clear mountain streams of the Ganges-Brahmaputra region, India and Bangladesh. Clean, well-oxygenated, shallow water with sandy and gravelly substrate (18-26°C). Lab model organism.

Is Zebra Danio endangered?

The conservation status of Zebra Danio is Least Concern according to the IUCN Red List.

What family does Zebra Danio belong to?

Zebra Danio (Danio rerio) belongs to the family Danionidae (Danios) in the order Cypriniformes (Carps and minnows).