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Edited by Sunny guppy breeder2, Nicole Willson, FishPerson, Teresa and 2 others

Zebra danios (Brachydanio rerio) are easily bred. In this How To you will learn a few basic steps that should help you breed them without problems.

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EditSteps

  1. Breed Danios Step 1.jpg
    1
    Condition the zebras for 1-2 weeks. Feed them the best food possible. White worms, brine shrimp and tubifex are excellent.
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  2. Breed Danios Step 2.jpg
    2
    Acquire a separate tank, preferably 5-10 gallons.
  3. Breed Danios Step 3.jpg
    3
    Prepare the tank. Pour conditioned water to a low level, provide some floating plants and put marbles or rocks on the bottom. Keep the water well aerated and clear.
  4. Breed Danios Step 4.jpg
    4
    Put several conditioned danios in the tank. If you have mature and properly conditioned zebras, it should be easy to tell their gender and you can put a single pair in the tank.
    • Most males are slimmer, more active and have a more intense coloration. Most females ready to spawn are larger around the abdominal area and have white or pink coloration there.
      Breed Danios Step 4Bullet1.jpg
  5. Breed Danios Step 5.jpg
    5
    Watch for the spawning activity. Once the eggs (200-300 of them) are laid they will fall in between the marbles you put in the tank. Danios have a tendency to eat their fry so the marbles are important.
  6. Breed Danios Step 6.jpg
    6
    After a few hours have passed, remove the fish.
  7. Breed Danios Step 7.jpg
    7
    The eggs should hatch in 1-2 days. Carefully examine the tank for fry.
    • If you don't see any fry after that period, the breeding hasn't been successful. It's best for the fish you try again only when they are rested and reconditioned.
      Breed Danios Step 7Bullet1.jpg
  8. Breed Danios Step 8.jpg
    8
    Don't feed the fry before they are free swimming. When they start to swim freely, feed them frequently small portions of finely ground flakes, paramecium, infusoria or commercial liqui-fry.
  9. Breed Danios Step 9.jpg
    9
    Start feeding them dry food made for egg-layer fry within a week.
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EditTips

  • Zebras are one of the few fish who select a mate for life and once a pair has formed, it is rare for the male to mate with any other females.
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EditThings You'll Need

  • A 5-10 gallon tank
  • Marbles or rocks
  • Floating plants
  • Food for conditioning the adult fish
  • Food for feeding the fry
  • At least a pair of adult zebra Danio fish

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Article Info

Categories: Fish

Recent edits by: Confusionist, Teresa, FishPerson

In other languages:

Español: Cómo criar peces cebra danio

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