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377 Featured Specimen
Zebra danio

Details

Zebra danio

Danio rerio

Size
4–6 cm · 1–3 g
Diet
Omnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Sociality
Loose group
Lifespan
2–5 years

The zebra danio is a small striped cyprinid. It schools in bright shallow freshwater and feeds by day on tiny animals and plant material.

Range

Habitat range map
Native range Occasional / Transient
IndomalayanIndomalayanIndomalayanIndomalayanIndomalayanIndomalayanIndomalayanIndomalayanIndomalayanIndomalayanIndomalayanIndomalayanIndomalayanIndomalayanIndomalayan

Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)

Details

Habitat

It occupies streams, rice fields, pools, and grassy freshwater habitats in the Indomalayan region. Shallow, slow water is commonly used.

Appearance

Length 4-6 cm; weight 1 g-3 g. A slim silvery body carries blue horizontal stripes to the tail. Light build and clear fins make it quick in shallow water.

Behavior

Diurnal and loosely schooling, it often moves near the surface. When alarmed, the school turns and darts away together.

Feeding

An omnivore, it eats small insects, zooplankton, and algae. It quickly takes food that falls onto the surface.

Reproduction

Adults scatter eggs among plants or other cover. Parents provide no care, and larvae feed on microscopic foods in the shallows.

Notes

It is listed as Least Concern, though local populations can still be affected by habitat change, collection, or pollution.