Zebra Danios are non-aggressive species making them a good option for your community tank. You can place your zebra danios with other non-aggressive species like guppies.
Zebra danios and guppies are compatible as they are of the same size and have similar tank requirements. But can zebra danios be a threat to the guppy fry? Can your zebra danios eat guppy fry? Let us find out.
Despite being peaceful species, zebra danios, an omnivore species, can eat guppy fry as they look at it as a tasty snack. Consider adding many hiding spots or placing the guppy fry in an individual tank to protect them from the adult zebra danios and the other fishes in the tank.
The article below discusses the nature of zebra danios and how to protect your guppy fry from zebra danios.
Contents
Can zebra danios hunt down guppy fry?
Despite being peaceful species, zebra danios can hunt down guppy fry as they will look upon the fry as a meal.
Although zebra danios are surface dwellers that prefer to be at the top of the tank most of the time, they can still consume your guppy fry.
We recommend placing your guppy fry in a separate tank to protect them from the adult zebra danios.
Similarly, even guppies can eat the eggs of your zebrafish. However, it is not usual as zebrafish lay eggs on the substrate, and guppies rarely reach that part of the tank.
But still, there are chances of guppies consuming the eggs of your zebrafish.
Adult guppies can threaten their fry as they lack parental instinct.
So, placing your guppy fry in an individual tank would be better than putting them with adult zebra danios or guppies.
Zebra danios ideal dietary requirement
Zebra danios are omnivore species that need red meat and plant matter food to grow and develop properly.
So, we advise you to provide a small pinch of red meat like bloodworms, daphnia, and brine shrimp 1-2 times a week as it is an excellent protein source that helps in the adequate development of zebrafish.
In addition, you should also provide one small slice of green vegetables like spinach, cucumber, and zucchini 3-4 times a week as it helps to keep your fish active and healthy.
Always provide food in a moderate quantity as excessive feeding can lead to severe health problems in your fish, eventually making them sick and prone to several diseases.
We advise providing the amount your zebrafish can consume in under two minutes to prevent overfeeding and underfeeding.
Also, read: Why Is My Zebra Danio Not Eating?
Are zebra danios aggressive?
Zebra danios are peaceful species that do not prefer aggression in their tank and like to interact with their tankmates.
However, placing them under inadequate housing conditions like inappropriate water conditions and parameters can lead to stress in your fish, eventually making them aggressive and turn into fin nippers.
Other factors like lack of food, unsuitable tankmates, and an overcrowded tank can also lead to stress in your fish, making them aggressive with their tankmates.
Excessive stress can further weaken your fish’s immune system making them vulnerable and prone to many health problems like loss of appetite.
So, you should always provide ideal housing conditions in your zebrafish tank and place them with compatible tankmates to prevent such issues and ensure your fish’s longer lifespan.
Also, read: Are Zebra Danios Aggressive?
How to protect guppy fry from zebra danios?
The best way to protect the guppy fry from adult zebra danios is to place your fry in an individual tank.
Although zebra danios are peaceful species, they can hunt down the guppy fry.
Not only zebra danios, but even adult guppy can eat their fry as they lack parental instinct.
So, we advise placing your guppy fry in a separate tank for their growth and development.
However, if you do not want to place your guppy fry in a separate tank, you should add many hiding spots so that the fry can protect themselves from the adult zebra danios.
But even adding hiding spots in the tank does not eliminate the risk of your fry getting hunted down by the adult zebra danios in the tank.
Therefore, placing your guppy fry in an individual tank is the best way to ensure your fish’s well-being.
Also read: Can Zebra Danios Live With Guppies?
Can zebra danios eat their own fry?
Zebra danios can eat their eggs or babies as they do not have any parental instinct.
Other factors like stress can also make your zebra danios eat their offspring.
The best way to protect the zebra fry from the adult is to place them in a separate tank or add many hiding spots in the tank.
Adding hiding spots in the tank also helps your fish eliminate stress.
Below are some best hiding spots you can add to your tank
- You can add terra cotta pots to your tank.
- Live aquatic plants also act as a hiding spot in the tank and maintain the tank’s oxygen level.
- To create hiding spots in your zebrafish tank, you can also add driftwood, aquarium rocks, and other aquarium ornaments.
However, placing your zebra fry in a separate tank is a much better option as even adding hiding spots, your fry can get attacked by the adult zebra danios and the other fishes in the tank.
So, once the eggs get fertilized by the male zebrafish, you should place them in a separate tank under good water conditions to ensure the good health and adequate development of your zebrafish fry.Â
Also, read: Do Zebra Danios Eat Their Babies?
Conclusion:
- Despite being non-aggressive species, zebrafish can still consume your guppy fry.
- Place your guppy fry in an individual tank to protect them from the adult zebra danios.
- If you do not want to place your guppy fry in a separate tank, you should add many hiding spots so that the fry can safeguard themselves from the adult zebra danios and the other fishes in the tank.
- However, placing your guppy fry in a separate tank is a better option as even adding hiding spots, your fry can get attacked by the adult zebra danios and the other fishes in the tank.
- Zebrafish can eat their eggs or babies as they do not have any parental instinct.
Reference: WIKIPEDIA