Goldfish are peaceful species that do not prefer aggression in the tank. While placing your goldfish with some other fish, you must ensure that they have similar nature and tank requirements, as adding incompatible tankmates can lead to stress in your fish.
So, can your goldfish live with zebra danios? Let us find out.
Goldfish can live with zebra danios as they have similar tank requirements and dietary needs. Although goldfish are peaceful species, they can threaten the smaller zebra danios. Provide ample space and hiding spots in the tank to protect smaller danios from the adult goldfish.
The below article will discuss all the necessary parameters you should consider when placing goldfish and zebra danios in the same tank.

Contents
- 1 Can goldfish and zebra danios live in the same tank?
- 2 Goldfish and zebra danios natural behavior
- 3 Goldfish and zebra danios tank requirements
- 4 Goldfish and zebra danios dietary requirements
- 5 Can goldfish attack zebra danios?
- 6 So how do you make it work?
- 7 Best tankmates for goldfish and zebra danios
- 8 Conclusion:
Can goldfish and zebra danios live in the same tank?
Particulars | Goldfish | Zebra Danios |
---|---|---|
Water Temperature | 68-74°F | 64-74°F |
Ph Level | 7.0-7.5 | 6.5-7.0 |
Food | Green veggies and meat | Green veggies and meat |
Water Hardness | 200-400ppm | 5-12 DGH |
Behavior | Non-Aggressive | Non-Aggressive |
The above table shows that goldfish and zebra danios have the exact tank requirements and are non-aggressive species making zebra danios an ideal tankmate for your goldfish.
Goldfish and zebra danios natural behavior
Goldfish natural behavior
- Goldfish are freshwater species that enjoy the company of their tankmates.
- Goldfish are non-aggressive species.
- They usually chase each other for mating purposes.
- Goldfish are messy fishes that produce a lot of waste in the tank.
- Goldfish are egg layer species.
- Goldfish are omnivores species that require green veggies and meat for their adequate development.
- Goldfish can become territorial in an overcrowded tank.
Also, read: Are Goldfish Aggressive?
Zebra danios natural behavior
- Zebra danios are freshwater species that do not prefer aggression in their tank.
- They are omnivore species that require green veggies and meat for adequate growth and development.
- Zebra danios are egg layer species.
- They can nip the fish’s fins with long flowing fins like betta and guppies.
- Zebra danios thrive in school, so you should never place them alone.
- Zebra danios are extremely active fishes.

Goldfish and zebra danios tank requirements
Ample space in the tank
Goldfish require ample space in the tank for their healthy growth and development.
Lack of space in the tank can make your goldfish territorial and affect their growth.
An overcrowded tank can also contaminate the water leading to an ammonia spike and making your fish suffer from severe health issues like ammonia poisoning.
Therefore, we advise you to provide enough space in your goldfish tank for their adequate growth and development.
Also read: How Many Goldfish Can You Keep In A 10-Gallon Tank?
Likewise, goldfish even zebra danios require a lot of space in the tank for healthy growth.
Zebra danios thrive in school, and they require a good size tank for adequate growth.
An overcrowded tank can lead to stress in your zebra danios, making them weak and prone to several diseases.
Good water conditions
Goldfish are freshwater species that require good water conditions to thrive.
Contaminated water can lead to significant health issues in your fish, like losing appetite and constipation, making them weak and prone to several diseases.
So, it will be advisable to perform a 30% weekly water change in your goldfish tank to maintain the tank’s water quality.
You should also add a filter to your goldfish tank as it helps to eliminate the harmful chemicals from the water and keep the water clean.
We recommend you add a Fluval High Performance water filter to your goldfish tank as it helps maintain the tank’s water quality.
You can purchase it from Amazon Fluval High Performance Aquarium Filter
Also, read: Do Goldfish Need Filters?
We advise using an API test kit to check the ammonia levels to provide accurate results.
You can buy it from Amazon API TEST KIT.
Also, read Ammonia Poisoning In Goldfish.
Likewise, goldfish even zebra danios require good water conditions for adequate growth and development.
Poor water conditions can make your zebra danios susceptible to many diseases.
Therefore, always ensure to maintain adequate water conditions in the tank for the well-being of your goldfish and zebra danios.
Likewise, goldfish even zebra danios require good water conditions for adequate growth and development.
Poor water conditions can make your zebra danios susceptible to many diseases.
Therefore, always ensure to maintain adequate water conditions in the tank for the well-being of your goldfish and zebra danios.

Water parameters in goldfish and zebra danios tank
Goldfish require a water temperature between 68-74°F to thrive, and the ideal ph level of your goldfish tank should be 7.5.
In addition, the ammonia level of your goldfish tank should be between 0-0.25ppm, whereas the nitrite level should be 0ppm.
Therefore, you should provide ideal water parameters to your goldfish as sudden fluctuations in the water temperature can weaken your fish, making them prone to several diseases and parasites.
Likewise, goldfish even zebra danios are cold water species that require a water temperature between 64-74°F, and the ideal ph level of your zebra danios should range between 6.5-7.0.
Your zebra danios tank’s ammonia and nitrite level should be 0 ppm.
Placing your zebra danios in too cold water can make your fish weak and prone to several diseases and parasites.
So, it will be advisable to provide ideal water parameters to your zebra danios for their adequate growth and development.
Also, read: What Is The Ideal Water Temperature For Goldfish?
Plants and other aquarium decors in goldfish and zebra danios tank
You should add a lot of aquatic plants to your goldfish and zebra danios tank as it acts as hiding spots for your fish and keeps the tank well-oxygenated.
Some suitable plants options for your goldfish and zebra danios tank are
- Java Fern
- Java Moss
- Anacharis Plant(Water seeds)
- Anubias (Anubias Barteri)
Also, read: Do Goldfish Eat Plants?
In addition, you should add a lot of hiding spots in your goldfish and zebra danios tank as it helps to eliminate stress in your fish.
Here are some hiding spots you can add to your goldfish and zebra danios tank
- Driftwood
- Aquarium Rocks
- Terra Cotta Pots
- Aquarium Rocks
- Aquarium Ornaments
Also, read: Do Goldfish Need Hiding Places?
Goldfish and zebra danios dietary requirements
Goldfish and zebra danios are omnivores species that require meat and green veggies for adequate growth and development.
Here are some best food options for your goldfish and zebra danios
Goldfish and Zebra Danios Diet | Serving Quantity | No. of times |
---|---|---|
Veggie pellets | One small pinch | 2 times a day |
Bloodworms | One small pinch | 1-2 times a week |
Mosquito Larvae | 12-15 | 2-3 times a week |
Blanched peas | Half a pea | 2-3 times a week |
Blanched zucchini | One small slice | 3-4 times a week |
Tubifex worms | One small pinch | 1 time a week |
Also, read: What Do Goldfish Eat?

Can goldfish attack zebra danios?
Goldfish are peaceful species that do not prefer aggression in their tank. However, your fish can eat anything that fits in their mouth, making them a threat to the small zebra danios in the tank.
But as zebra danios are very active, it will not be easy for your goldfish to catch them.
So, you should provide ample place in the tank and add a lot of hiding spots to protect the smaller zebra danios from the adult goldfish.
So how do you make it work?
So here is how you can make zebra danios ideal tankmates for your goldfish.
- Ensure to provide ample space in the tank, as an overcrowded tank can make your goldfish territorial and aggressive. To place your goldfish and zebra danios in the same tank, you must have a tank with at least 30-gallon capacity.
- Ensure to add a lot of hiding spots in the tank as it will help the zebra danios to protect themselves from the adult goldfish.
- Provide good water conditions in the tank as contaminated water can lead to stress in your goldfish and make them aggressive.
- Ensure to provide adequate water parameters in your fish tank. The water temperature of the tank should be 68-74°F.
- If the size of your goldfish is too big, then it can be a threat to the zebra danios. Therefore, it will be advisable to place your zebra danios in a separate tank in such a case.
You can place your goldfish and zebra danios in the same tank by following the above measures.
Best tankmates for goldfish and zebra danios
Goldfish are non-aggressive species that enjoy the company of their tankmates.
Placing your goldfish with incompatible tankmates like betta fish can lead to stress and lots of physical injuries in your goldfish.
So, it will be advisable to place your goldfish with peaceful species for their adequate growth and development.
Here are some best tankmates for your goldfish
- Guppy
- Rosy barbs
- Giant Danios
- Snails
Also, read: Can Goldfish Live With Guppy?
As zebra danios are peaceful species like goldfish, you should pair them with non-aggressive species for adequate growth.
Zebra danios thrive in schools and should never e placed alone as it can lead to extreme stress in your fish.
In addition, avoid placing them with fish with long flowing fins like betta as they are the potential targets of the active zebra danios.
Here are some best tankmates for your zebra danios
- Rosy barbs
- Loaches
- Swordtails
- Gourami
Conclusion:
- Goldfish are freshwater species that enjoy the company of their tankmates.
- Zebra danios are freshwater species that do not prefer aggression in their tank.
- Goldfish and zebra danios require ample space in the tank for their healthy growth and development.
- You should add a lot of aquatic plants to your goldfish and zebra danios tank as it acts as hiding spots for your fish and keeps the tank well-oxygenated.
- If the size of your goldfish is too big, then it can be a threat to the zebra danios. Therefore, it will be advisable to place your zebra danios in a separate tank in such a case.
Reference: ScienceDirect ScienceDirect