The Zebra Danio is a favorite beginner fish because it is hardy and easy to breed.  Zebras originally came from India.  They have uniform horizontal stripes along the entire length of their body.  They are rapid active swimmers and should be kept in schools of at least 6.  Zebras eat standard flake foods, but also like freeze dried bloodworms and brine shrimp.

Males have thin bodies, while females are larger and broader.  The belly on the female is white and very large when laden with eggs.  A separate tank is one alternative for breeding.  Marbles make an excellent substrate, as it will keep the parents from eating the eggs.  Eggs are scattered over the entire surface of the bottom of the tank.  After spawning, remove the parents.  Feed the fry infusoria and then brine shrimp

Another way to breed danios is to maintain several females and even more males in a tank.  Watch them carefully for breeding activity.  They will tend to spawn in the early morning after the day of a water change.  They will travel rapidly in a group around the bottom of the tank.  Once eggs have been released, the females tend to move to the upper levels of the tank, while males will swim excitedly about the bottom.  Males will eat eggs that are stirred up off the bottom by all their activity.  Another indication of a spawn of eggs is other fish from the upper tank levels, such as livebearers, feeding off the bottom.  At this point, siphon the bottom of the tank and fill a bucket.  Let the bucket water sit at room temperature for a couple of days and wait to see if any fry hatch.  If they do, proceed to our section on Feeding Fry.

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