Can Zebra Danios Live With Angelfish? (All You Need To Know)

Whenever we plan to have a community tank by adding different fish species, it is essential to know about their compatibility to provide them with a stress-free environment and a longer lifespan. So, can zebra danios live with angelfish? Are they compatible with each other? Let us find out.

Zebra danios and angelfish cannot live together due to different temperaments. Zebrafish are peaceful species, whereas angelfish are aggressive. Keeping them together can lead to several physical injuries to zebrafish. Consider placing zebra danios with compatible tankmates for their well-being.

The article below discusses the cons of keeping zebrafish and angelfish together. In addition, we will discuss how to place them together if you have decided to keep them in the same tank.

Can I keep zebra danios and angelfish together?

You should not place zebra danios and angelfish in the same tank, as angelfish are aggressive fishes that can cause several physical injuries to your zebrafish.

On the other hand, even zebra danios can nip the angelfish fins, leading to extreme aggression in the tank.

So, placing them together is not a good idea as it can lead to stress and other health issues in your zebra danios.

Therefore, you should always place your zebra danios with compatible species to ensure your fish’s well-being and longer lifespan.

Also, read: Are Zebra Danios Aggressive?

Why should we not keep zebra danios and angelfish together?

Below are why you should not keep zebra danios and angelfish together. 

  1. Zebra danios and angelfish natural behavior
  2. Angelfish can get bigger
  3. Zebra danios can suffer from extreme stress.

Zebra danio’s natural behavior

Zebra danios are peaceful species that like to interact with their tank mates. 

However, your zebra danios can become aggressive towards each other if they get placed under inadequate tank conditions.

In addition, zebra danios are egg-layer species that usually prefer to mate during monsoons.

Therefore, you should always provide adequate living conditions and a stress-free environment in your zebrafish tank to ensure their growth and longer lifespan.

Angelfish natural behavior

Angelfish are aggressive and territorial species, not making them ideal tankmates for your zebra danios.

Angelfish will regularly chase your zebra danios if you place them together in the same tank, as they do not like other fish to swim in their surroundings.

Angelfish can get bigger.

Angelfish can grow up to 6 inches long and 8 inches tall, whereas zebra danios can grow up to 2 inches.

You can only place one pair of angelfish in a 12-gallon tank.

Due to its size and nature, angelfish are not an ideal tankmate for your zebra danios as they can easily hunt down the zebrafish. 

Zebra danios can suffer from extreme stress.

Placing zebra danios and angelfish in the same tank can make your zebrafish suffer from extreme stress, eventually weakening them and making them prone to several diseases.

Angelfish are aggressive species that will constantly chase your zebra danios, causing stress in your fish.

Extreme stress further can also lead to the passing away of your zebra danios. 

Therefore, you should avoid placing your zebra danios with angelfish to ensure their well-being and a longer lifespan.

Also, read: How Do I Know If My Zebra Danios Are Stressed?

What are the exceptions for keeping zebra danios and angelfish together?

You should not place your zebra danios with angelfish as they are aggressive species that can cause harm to your zebrafish.

However, if you want to place them together, here are some measures you should take to ensure the well-being of your zebrafish.

  1. Place them in a big size tank.
  2. Add lots of live aquatic plants. 
  3. Introduce young angelfish to your zebra danios tank 

Place them in a big size tank.

You should place your zebra danios and angelfish in a big tank to ensure your fish’s longer lifespan. 

Placing them in a small tank can affect their growth and increase the chances of the angelfish hunting down your zebrafish easily.

Placing them in a large tank will help your zebrafish to stay out of sight from the angelfish.

Consider having at least a 30-gallon tank to house one school of zebrafish and one pair of angelfish. 

Also, read: How Many Zebra Danios In A 10 Gallon Tank?

Add lots of live aquatic plants.

You should add many live aquatic plants to protect your zebrafish from angelfish in the tank.

Live aquatic plants act as your zebrafish’s hiding spot and keep the tank well-oxygenated.

Here are some live aquatic plants you can add to your zebrafish tank

  1. Java Moss
  2. Java Fern
  3. Anubias

Introduce young angelfish to your zebra danios tank

Introducing zebra fish to angelfish when they are young will make the angelfish habitual for living with zebra danios, and they will get along.

However, this step comes with a lot of risk as angelfish can get aggressive anytime, eventually causing harm to your zebra danios. 

Best tankmates for zebra danios

You should always pair your zebra danios with compatible tankmates, as pairing them with aggressive species can lead to stress and other health issues in your fish. 

Below are some ideal tankmates for your zebra danios

  1. Guppy Fish
  2. Loaches
  3. Dwarf Gourami
  4. Rosy Barbs
  5. Neon Tetras

Therefore, always pair your zebra danios with compatible tankmates to ensure your fish’s well-being and longer lifespan. 

Also, read: Can Zebra Danios Live With Neon Tetras?

Best tankmates for angelfish

Angelfish are aggressive species compatible with tankmates of a similar nature. 

Here are some ideal tankmates for angelfish.

  1. Zebra loaches
  2. Platies
  3. Boesemani rainbow fish
  4. Praecox rainbow fish

Therefore, you should always place your angelfish with compatible tankmates for their adequate growth and development. 

Conclusion:

  1. Avoid placing zebra danios and angelfish in the same tank, as angelfish are aggressive fishes that can cause several physical injuries to your zebrafish, eventually passing them away.
  2. Angelfish are aggressive and territorial fishes, not making them ideal tankmates for your zebrafish.
  3. If you want to place zebra danios and angelfish in the same tank, you must provide them with a big tank, add lots of live aquatic plants and introduce young angelfish to your zebrafish tank.
  4. Always pair your zebra danios with compatible tankmates, as pairing them with aggressive fish can lead to stress and other health issues in your fish. 
  5. Consider providing good living conditions and a stress-free environment in your zebrafish tank to ensure their growth and longer lifespan.

Reference: NCBI WIKIPEDIA

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