Can Zebra Danios Live With Cichlids? (Complete Information)

Written by John Sawyer in Fish Species,Zebra Danios

Zebra danios are surface dwellers fishes aquarists prefer to add to their aquariums. They are schooling fishes that prefer to live in a community tank with other fish.

However, placing zebra danios and cichlids together is the standard query aquarists, and beginners raise. So, can zebra danios live with cichlids? Let us find out.

Zebra danios cannot live with cichlids as they are aggressive species that can cause severe injuries to zebrafish. In addition, pairing zebrafish with cichlids can make them suffer from excessive stress. Consider placing zebra danios with peaceful species like guppy to ensure their well-being.

The article below discusses the cons of placing your zebrafish with cichlids. In addition, we will also learn about some best tankmates options for your zebra danios.

Can I keep my zebra danios with cichlids?

You should not keep zebra danios and cichlids in the same tank, as cichlids are aggressive fishes that can cause harm to the zebrafish in the tank.

Especially the African cichlids are one of the most aggressive freshwater species that do not prefer to get paired with other fishes other than themselves.

They are territorial species that will not let your zebrafish peacefully, causing several physical injuries to your fish, eventually weakening them and making them prone to several diseases and parasites.

Therefore, you should always pair your zebra danios with compatible tankmates to ensure their well-being and a longer lifespan.

What are the reasons behind not keeping zebra danios and cichlids together?

Zebra Danios are non-aggressive species that cannot thrive with aggressive species like cichlids.

Pairing your zebra danios with cichlids can lead to several physical injuries to your zebrafish, eventually making them weak and prone to several diseases and parasites.

Pairing your zebra danios with aggressive species like cichlids can also lead to severe stress in your fish.

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

In addition, cichlids prefer hard water, which means they like to live in water with a pH level between 8-8.6, whereas zebrafish prefer a pH between 6.5-7.0.

Therefore, cichlids and zebra danios are not compatible tankmates, so you should not keep them together. 

8 best tankmates for zebra danios

Below are the eight best tankmates for zebra danios 

  1. Guppy Fish
  2. Neon Tetras
  3. Shrimp
  4. Platies
  5. Swordtails
  6. Plecos
  7. Corydoras Catfish
  8. Dwarf Gourami

The above are some best tankmates options for your zebra danios.

You should always ensure to pair your zebra danios with compatible tankmates to maintain a peaceful environment in the tank.

Pairing your zebra danios with aggressive species can make them suffer from severe physical injuries, weakening their immune system and making them pass away.

Also, read: Can Zebra Danios Live With Guppies?

Zebra danio’s ideal living conditions requirements

Zebra danios are freshwater species that prefer to thrive in good water conditions.

Placing your zebrafish in lousy water conditions can lead to several health issues like constipation and stress in your zebra danios.

Lousy water conditions in the tank can also lead to a spike in the tank’s ammonia level leading to ammonia poisoning in your zebra danios.

So, you should provide adequate water parameters in your zebrafish tank to ensure the longer lifespan of your fish.

The ideal water temperature of your zebra danios tank should be between 64-74°F whereas the pH should range between 6.5 -7.0.

In addition, the ammonia and nitrite should be at 0ppm, and zebrafish prefer a water hardness between 5-12 dgh.

Perform weekly water changes and add a filtration system to maintain the tank’s water quality.

Also, read: Do Zebra Danios Need A Filter?

Zebra danios are schooling fishes that prefer to get paired in a group of 5.

Placing your zebrafish in inadequate school can lead to severe stress for your fish.

We advise following the one-inch-one-gallon rule to maintain enough space in your zebra danios tank.

The one-inch-one-gallon rule refers to one gallon of water per inch of your zebrafish.

So, as the average size of a zebrafish is between 1-2 inches, you will require at least a 10-gallon tank to place one school of zebra danios.

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

Therefore, always provide good living conditions to your zebra danios to ensure their adequate growth and a longer lifespan.

Conclusion:

  1. Avoid keeping zebra danios and cichlids in the same tank, as cichlids are aggressive fishes that can cause harm to the zebrafish.
  2. Cichlids are territorial species that will not let your zebrafish live peacefully, causing several physical injuries to your fish.
  3. Always pair your zebra danios with compatible tankmates to maintain a peaceful environment in the tank.
  4. You should provide adequate water parameters in your zebra danios tank to ensure the longer lifespan of your fish.
  5. Always provide good living conditions to your zebrafish to ensure their longer lifespan. 

Reference: NCBI

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