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Zebra Danio |
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Scientific Name: Brachydanio rerio Common Names: Zebra Danio, Zebra Fish Family: Cyprinidae Sub-Family: Rasborinae Origin: Eastern India from Calcutta to Masuilpatam. Sex: Females larger, fuller bodied, more subdued colors with silvery-white back-ground . Males have red lines between the wider blue lines with a golden-yellow back-ground. Breeding: Egglayer Size: 2 " Level: All. Temperature: 64-74 F pH: 6.5-7.0 Hardness: 5-12 dGH Tankmates: Community tank. Diet: Omnivorous |
Zebras have to be numbered among the "classic" aquarium fish. If you have aquariums very long, odds are that at some point you'll try a school of zebras. Years ago when I first saw them they were all the same variety - silvery bodies with dark stripes from head to tail. These days you can find very attractive varieties that have veiled tails, spotted "leopards", blue colored, and even albino varieties. But I have to admit, I'm still hooked on the plain old original zebras. Few fish can add more movement to your tank than these active little dynamos.
Habitat and Feeding
Although zebras will tolerate a range of temperatures, they don't do as well at the upper end of the temperature range. Generally they are very hardy, but do need regular water changes to maintain a good environment. Zebras are particularly susceptible to Oodinium, or Velvet disease. When purchasing fish avoid any that have clamped fins, or look emaciated, as they may be infected.
Zebras are easy fish to please when it comes to diet. Being omnivorous, they accept a wide variety of foods. A good balance of live (or frozen foods) as well as flaked food make an ideal diet. I've found that they are particularly fond of brine shrimp. When conditioning zebras for breeding, it's advisable to feed them plenty of fresh foods.
Tankmates
Virtually any peaceful community fish is suitable as a tankmate for zebras. Because they naturally live in schools, it's wise to keep at least a half dozen of them together. They will readily school with other varieties of danios, and other similarly sized schooling fish such as the white cloud mountain minnow. I've had mixed schools of two dozen or more danios and white clouds, and they do very well.
Breeding
Zebras are quite interesting when it comes to breeding. They are one of the few fish who select a mate for life. Once a pair has formed, it is rare for the male to mate with any other females. Spawning results in 300-400 eggs laid by the female on plants, and subsequently fertilized by the males. They readily eat their fry, so the parents should be moved once the eggs are laid. Fry hatch in 48 hours and grow rapidly. Fry should be fed small foods such as prepared fry food or brine shrimp nauplii For an interesting photo essay of embryo grow check the Netlinks below.
Interestingly enough, the ease with which these fish are bred is a contributing factor for their widespread use in scientific research. They are particularly valued in the field of neuroscience. They are also often used in high school and college classroom study of embryo growth.
| Net Links: (P indicates Photo included) | |
| Articles Brachydanio rerio (P) Breeding Danios Choosing Fish (P) Zebra Danio facts(P) Zebrao embryo images (P) |
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* Art and photos are the property of Shirlie Sharpe. If you use them please write for permission.
