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

Zebra danios are active fishes with peaceful personalities, making them an ideal option for your community tank.

While pairing your zebrafish with other fishes, you must ensure they require similar parameters to thrive as placing them with unsuitable tankmates can make them suffer from many health problems.

So, can your zebra danios live with neon tetras? Let us find out.

Zebra danios can live with neon tetras as they have similar temperaments and dietary needs. However, placing them under inappropriate tank conditions can make them aggressive towards each other. Provide enough space and adequate water conditions to make your zebra danios and tetra live together.

In the article below, we will learn about the necessary parameters you should consider when placing zebra danios and neon tetras in the same tank.

Can I keep zebra danios and neon tetras together in a tank?

Particulars	Zebra Danios	Neon Tetras
Water Temperature	64-74 °F	72-80°F
Water Ph Level	6.5-7.0	6-7
Nitrite	0ppm	0ppm
Ammonia	0ppm	0ppm
Nitrate	Below 20ppm	Below 20ppm
Behavior	Non -Aggressive	Non-Aggressive
Diet	Omnivore species ( Red meat and plant matter food)	Omnivore species (Red meat and plant matter food)
Average size	1-2 inch	1-1.5 inch
Water hardness	5-12 dgh	2-10 dgh

Water Temperature

Zebra danios require a water temperature between 64-74 °F, whereas neon tetras require a water temperature between 72-80°F. 

But as zebra danios and neon tetras are hardy species, they can adapt to a wide range of water temperatures, making them ideal tankmates. 

However, avoid placing your zebrafish and tetras in too hot or cold temperatures as it can lead to several health issues in your fish. 

So, we advise keeping the water temperature at 70°F, making it convenient for both fishes.

Water Ph level

Zebra danios require a Ph level between 6.5-7.0, whereas neon tetra requires a water Ph level between 6-7.

So, as zebra danios and neon tetras require the same ph level to thrive, they can be placed together in the same tank.

In addition, the ammonia and nitrite level should be at 0 ppm in your zebra danios tank, whereas the nitrate level should be below 20ppm.

Personality

Zebra danios and neon tetras are non-aggressive species that do not like aggression in their tank, making them ideal tankmates.

Therefore by looking above, we can say that zebra danios and neon tetras can get placed in the same tank as they have similar personalities and water requirements.

But before jumping to a conclusion, let us learn more about zebra danios and neon tetras in the below article.

Zebra danios and neon tetra natural behavior

Zebra danio’s natural behavior

Zebra danios are schooling fishes that are peaceful and hyperactive, making them an ideal fish for a community tank.

They are not livebearers as they are egg layer species and can lay up to 200 eggs at each spawning.

Zebra danios prefer a school of at least five, and any less than that can lead to stress and aggression in zebrafish.

They are hardy species and can thrive in a wide range of water temperatures.

Despite being peaceful species, zebrafish can become aggressive if placed under poor water conditions or paired with unsuitable tankmates.

In addition, zebra danios are omnivore species that prefer to eat red meat and green veggies for their adequate development.

Therefore, we advise providing ideal water parameters and maintaining a stress-free environment in your fish tank for their well-being and a longer lifespan.

Neon tetras natural behavior

Neon tetras are non-aggressive species that prefer to interact with their tankmates.

They are schooling fishes that prefer a school of at least 6, and any less than that can lead to stress in your fish and make them aggressive.

Neon tetras require enough space in their tank to swim comfortably. Placing your fish in an overcrowded tank can make them aggressive and suffer from severe health issues.

They are hardy species and can thrive in a wide range of water temperatures.

Neon tetras are egg layer species that can lay up to 100 eggs per spawning.

In addition, neon tetras are omnivore species that prefer red meat and green veggies to ensure their adequate development and a longer lifespan.

Therefore, you should always provide ample space in the tank and place your tetras in an adequate school to ensure your fish’s well-being.

Zebra danios and neon tetras tank requirements

Enough space in the tank

Zebra danios are schooling fishes requiring ample tank space to thrive and develop properly.

Placing your zebra danios in an overcrowded tank can make your fish stressed and lead to various other health issues in your fish.

We recommend you follow the one-inch-one-gallon rule, which means providing one gallon of water per inch of your fish to ensure enough space in your fish tank and for the proper growth of your fish.

The average size of zebrafish is between 1-2 inches. So, by following the one-inch-one-gallon rule, you require at least a 10-gallon tank to place a group of 5 zebra danios.

Similarly, even neon tetras prefer ample space in their tank as overcrowded tanks can make them aggressive.

The average size of neon tetras is between 1-1.5 inches and requires at least a 10-gallon tank to thrive and grow properly.

So, you will require a 20-gallon to place your zebra danios and neon tetras in the same tank.

Avoid overcrowding your fish tank as it can lead to severe health issues, eventually leading to the passing away of your fish.

Therefore, always provide ample space in your fish tank to ensure their proper growth and development.

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

Adequate water conditions

Zebra danios require good water conditions in their tank to grow and develop properly. 

Poor water conditions in the tank can make your zebra fish suffer from significant health issues, eventually leading to their passing away. 

So, we advise doing a 30% water change weekly and adding a filter to your fish tank to keep the tank’s water clean. 

Zebra danios do not have any specific demand in a filter, so you can add any filter to your fish tank. 

However, we suggest adding a Fluval High-Performance Water filter to your fish tank as it helps to remove all the harmful toxins from the water and maintain the tank’s water quality. 

It is available on Amazon Fluval High Performance Aquarium Filter

Also, read: Do Zebra Danios Need A Filter?

Likewise, zebrafish, even neon tetras, require good water conditions in their tank to grow and develop properly. 

Contaminated water in the tank can lead to a spike in the tank’s nitrite and ammonia level, eventually making your tetras suffer from significant health issues. 

We advise maintaining adequate water conditions in your tetra’s tank and eyeing the tank’s ammonia level to ensure your fish’s well-being. 

You can check the ammonia level with the help of an API ammonia test kit, as it provides accurate results. 

It is available on Amazon API TEST KIT.

Therefore, from the above discussion, we can say that both fishes require good water conditions for their growth and development. 

Also, read: Why Are My Zebra Danios Dying?

Plants and other tank decors in your zebra danios and neon tetra tank

You should live aquatic plants in your zebra danios and neon tetra tank as it helps to maintain the tank’s oxygen level and act as a hiding spot for your fish. 

Here are some best live aquatic plants you can add to your zebrafish and neon tetra tank

1. Java Fern
2. Amazon Sword 
3. Java Moss

You should also add many hiding spots in your zebrafish and neon tetras tank, as it helps to eliminate stress in your fish. 

Below are some best spots for your zebrafish and neon tetra tank

1. Aquarium rocks
2. Driftwood
3. Aquarium Ornaments
4. Terra Cotta Pots

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

Zebra danios and neon tetras dietary requirements

Zebra Danios and Neon Tetra Diet	Amount to serve	No. of times
Veggie Pellets	One pinch	1 time a day
Bloodworms	One pinch	1-2 times a day
Green vegetables ( Spinach, cucumber, zucchini)	One small slice at a time	3-4 times a week
Brine Shrimp	One pinch	1-2 times a week
Mosquito larvae	12-15 pieces of larvae	1-2 times a week
Tubifex worms	One pinch	1 time a week

Also, read: Why Is My Zebra Danio Not Eating?

Zebra danios and neon tetras are omnivore species that require a mix of plant matter food and red meat for adequate growth and development.

You should ensure to provide high-quality, nutritious food in a moderate quantity to your zebrafish and neon tetras to ensure their growth and development.

Avoid overfeeding your zebrafish and neon tetras as it can lead to severe health issues like loss of appetite and constipation in your fish, eventually making them weak and prone to several diseases.

It would be best not to overfeed or underfeed your fish to ensure their adequate growth and a longer lifespan.

Always feed the amount your fish can consume in under two minutes to prevent overfeeding and underfeeding your zebrafish and neon tetras.

Also, read: Why Is My Zebra Danio Getting Thin?

Can zebra danios attack neon tetras?

Zebra danios are peaceful species that do not prefer aggression in their tank and like to interact with their tankmates.

However, overcrowding, lack of food, and non-compatible tankmates can make your zebrafish aggressive and attack neon tetra.

The above factors can also make your zebra danios, and neon tetras suffer from several health issues like stress, eventually passing them away.

Therefore, you should provide ideal housing conditions to your zebra danios to prevent such behavior of your fish and to ensure their adequate development.

Also, read: Are Zebra Danios Aggressive?

Will zebra danios eat neon tetras fry?

Zebra danios can eat neon tetras eggs or fry as they consider it a perfect meal.

We recommend placing the fertilized eggs of neon tetras in a separate tank to protect them from the adult zebrafish and the other fishes in the tank.

Similarly, even neon tetras can eat zebra danios eggs or fry.

Therefore, both zebra danios and neon tetras lack parental instinct and can be a threat to their eggs as well as each other eggs.

Necessary measures you should take while placing zebra danios and neon tetras together?

Below are the necessary measures you should take while placing zebra danios and neon tetras in the same tank

1. Provide ample space in your zebra danios and neon tetras tank to ensure their adequate development. You need at least 20 gallons of space to place both fishes comfortably.
2. Provide good water conditions in your zebrafish and neon tetras tank, as contaminated water can affect your fish’s well-being.
3. Add lots of hiding spots in your zebrafish and neon tetra tank, as it helps to reduce stress.
4. Feed high-quality food to your zebrafish and neon tetra in a moderate quantity to ensure your fish’s adequate growth and development.
5. Maintain adequate water parameters in your zebra danios and neon tetra tank to make them grow and develop properly. You should maintain an ideal water temperature of 72°F in your zebrafish and tetra tank.
6. Provide a stress-free environment in your zebrafish and neon tetra tank to ensure their longer lifespan. 

Best tankmates for zebra danios and neon tetras

Zebra danios are peaceful species that should get paired with fishes with the same temperament. 

Pairing your zebrafish with aggressive fish can make them stressed and aggressive. 

So, we recommend placing your fish with suitable tankmates to provide them with a stress-free environment in the tank and to ensure their well-being. 

Here are some best tankmates option for your zebrafish

1. Guppies
2. Rosy Barbs
3. Gourami
4. Swordtails 
5. Loaches 

Also, read: Can Zebra Danios Live With Guppies?

Neon tetras are also peaceful fishes that like to interact with their tank mates. 

Placing your neon tetras with aggressive tankmates can lead to stress and other health issues in your fish. 

So, placing your fish with compatible tankmates would be best to ensure their good health and a longer lifespan. 

Here are some best tankmates options for your neon tetras

1. Guppies
2. Dwarf Gourami
3. Zebra Loach
4. Corydoras catfish

Conclusion:

1. Zebrafish require a water temperature between 64-74 °F, whereas tetras thrive in a water temperature between 72-80°F. So, we recommend keeping the water temperature at 70°F, making it convenient for both fishes.
2. Zebra danios and neon tetras are peaceful species that do not prefer aggression in their tank, making them ideal tankmates.
3. Zebrafish and neon tetras are omnivore species that need plant matter food and red meat for adequate growth and development.
4. Both zebrafish and neon tetras lack parental instinct and can be a threat to their eggs as well as each other eggs.
5. Provide a stress-free environment in your zebrafish and neon tetra tank to ensure their longer lifespan and adequate development.

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Reference: WIKIPEDIA , WIKIPEDIA , NCBI