Zebra danios with shrimp

By the Shrimp Tank Hub editorsUpdated Oct 28, 2026Research-based

The zebra danio, Danio rerio, is a small, striped cyprinid from India and Bangladesh, found mostly in slow or still pools and rice paddies (Seriously Fish). It is peaceful, hardy and inexpensive, has been mass-produced for decades and is the zebrafish used widely in research. The spotted leopard danio is a mutation of the same species (Seriously Fish). Because zebra danios are happy without a heater, just like cherry shrimp, they come up often as a shrimp tank mate.

Zebra danios at a glance

Will zebra danios eat shrimp?

• Shrimplets: yes, most that come into the open. Wild zebra danios hunt small aquatic crustaceans (Seriously Fish), and a newborn cherry shrimp is exactly that size. Aquarium Co-Op adds that adults eat their own eggs quickly unless there is dense java moss, which shows how thoroughly a school searches the tank (our reading).
• Adult shrimp: usually safe from being eaten. A full-grown cherry shrimp is too big for a 2-inch danio's mouth, but the fish may chase or nip at them, especially in a small school (our reading of Aquarium Co-Op's fin-nipping note).
• At feeding time: fast fish grab most of the food before slower ones get any, which is why Aquarium Co-Op keeps them away from slow fish like bettas. Make sure food reaches the bottom for the shrimp (our reading).

Practical Fishkeeping lists small danios in its "maybe" group, fish that will almost certainly eat the young but can work if the colony builds up first and has plenty of cover. Zebra danios are at the large, fast end of that group. Compare celestial pearl danios with shrimp and white cloud minnows with shrimp, or see the full cherry shrimp tank mates list.

Matching the water: an easy cool-water fit

Seriously Fish lists 64–77 °F, pH 6.0–8.0 and 5–20 dGH for zebra danios, and Aquarium Co-Op keeps them unheated at 65–75 °F. The Shrimp Farm lists 65–80 °F, pH 6.8–8.0, GH 4–8 and KH 2–5 for cherry-type shrimp. By our comparison, the shared range is wide: about 65–77 °F, pH 6.8–8.0 and GH 5–8. That makes zebra danios one of the easiest fish to match on water, and often a heater isn't needed in a room-temperature home. Check your room's range with a thermometer; see shrimp tank temperature.

Tank size and setup

• Length matters: Seriously Fish wants a 36-inch base for this active species; Aquarium Co-Op suggests at least a 20-gallon long. A small nano tank is too short for a danio school.
• School size: at least 8–10 (Seriously Fish). A bigger school is calmer, but it is also more mouths searching for shrimplets (our reading).
• Some flow: Seriously Fish says they appreciate some water movement; a sponge filter or a covered intake keeps shrimplets safe (see shrimp-safe filters).
• Lid: active danios can jump; see do shrimp need a lid (our reading).
• Cover low: dense moss and fine plants on the bottom, where danios rarely search hard (our reading); see java moss for shrimp.

If you want both

• Breeding shrimp? Keep them in a separate tank and move surplus adults in with the danios. This is our recommendation.
• Want a gentler danio? Celestial pearl danios are much smaller and slower; see celestial pearl danios with shrimp.
• Want a cool-water schooling fish? White cloud minnows share the same unheated range; see white cloud minnows with shrimp.

If you try it anyway

• Shrimp first. Practical Fishkeeping says to let the colony build up before adding fish.
• Feed the fish well, and feed the shrimp after the lights go out so food reaches them (our reading); Practical Fishkeeping says well-fed fish reduce losses.
• Dense cover. See baby shrimp care.
• Acclimate slowly. See how to drip acclimate.
• Quarantine the fish separately. Practical Fishkeeping says many fish medications are not safe for invertebrates. If fish get sick, ask a fish veterinarian or an experienced store about treatment that won't harm the shrimp. See how to quarantine and is copper toxic to shrimp.

Common mistakes

• Assuming matching water means a matching tank mate.
• Keeping 3 or 4 danios in a nano tank; too few and too cramped (Seriously Fish, Aquarium Co-Op).
• Feeding once from the top and expecting the shrimp to get a share.
• Confusing zebra danios with the much smaller celestial pearl danio.

Track it

Log temperature, pH, GH and TDS on the free Water Parameter Log printable so you can keep the tank in the range both species share.

Frequently asked questions

Will zebra danios eat cherry shrimp?

Adults usually survive, but shrimplets rarely do. Seriously Fish says wild zebra danios are micropredators of aquatic crustaceans. We rate them a moderate to high risk.

Can cherry shrimp breed with zebra danios?

A few babies may survive in very dense moss, but a fast school of danios will eat most. Use a separate tank if you want the colony to grow.

Do zebra danios and cherry shrimp need a heater?

Often not. Seriously Fish lists 64 to 77 °F for zebra danios and The Shrimp Farm 65 to 80 °F for cherry shrimp. Check your room's range with a thermometer.

What water do zebra danios and cherry shrimp share?

About 65 to 77 °F, pH 6.8 to 8.0 and GH 5 to 8, by our comparison of Seriously Fish and The Shrimp Farm.

How many zebra danios should I keep?

At least 8 to 10 (Seriously Fish) in a tank with a 36-inch base. Aquarium Co-Op says too small a group may nip fins.

Which danio is safest with shrimp?

The celestial pearl danio, which is much smaller and slower. Zebra danios are larger, faster crustacean hunters.

Sources: Seriously Fish, Danio rerio (zebra danio) (India and Bangladesh; slow or still pools and rice paddies; 50 mm SL; base 90 × 30 cm, about 21 US gal; 18–25 °C, pH 6.0–8.0, 5–20 dGH, heater may not be needed; wild stomach analyses show a micropredator of aquatic crustaceans and invertebrates; very peaceful schooling fish, group of at least 8–10; some water movement; leopard danio is a mutation); Aquarium Co-Op, Zebra danio care guide (2–2.5 in; 20-gallon long or larger; unheated 65–75 °F, pH 6–8, soft to hard water; wild diet of small crustaceans, insects and worms; keep 5–6 or more or they may nip fins; avoid slow fish like bettas; adults eat eggs quickly without dense java moss); Practical Fishkeeping, What can I keep with shrimp? (small danios in the "maybe" group that almost certainly eat the young; let the colony build up; plants, hiding places and well-fed fish reduce losses; medications not invertebrate-safe); The Shrimp Farm, Red rili shrimp tank set-up and care (cherry-type range 65–80 °F, pH 6.8–8.0, GH 4–8, KH 2–5).