Animal Profiles
Fish

Zebrafish

Danio rerio

Living

Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.

The zebrafish is a small striped freshwater fish native to the Indian subcontinent. Wild populations use shallow waters, while laboratory and aquarium strains are familiar far beyond its native range.

Zebrafish (Danio rerio) photographed in a hand.

Zebrafish (Danio rerio) photographed in a hand.

Ffish.asia · CC BY

At a glance

Location
Danio rerio occupies streams, river margins, ditches and floodplain habitats in the Ganges and Brahmaputra region. Monsoon cycles and human irrigation alter the shallow waters it uses.
Habitat
Rivers and lakes, Wetlands
Diet
Omnivore
Food
Zooplankton and aquatic insects supply much food, with other small animals and plant material also eaten.

Classification

Common name
Zebrafish
Browse group
Fish
Scientific name or taxon
Danio rerio
Taxon rank
species
Order
Cypriniformes
Family
Cyprinidae
Genus
Danio
Source classification
Actinopterygii

Taxonomy checked against GBIF. For breeds and hybrids, this describes the listed parent taxon.

Three things to know

  • It has lengthwise body stripes.
  • It is active by day.
  • It forms social groups.

Habitat and range

Danio rerio occupies streams, river margins, ditches and floodplain habitats in the Ganges and Brahmaputra region. Monsoon cycles and human irrigation alter the shallow waters it uses.

Appearance and adaptations

Several lengthwise dark stripes cross a slender, compressed body. Small barbels lie near the mouth. Laboratory colour varieties are not a reliable description of every wild population.

Diet and behaviour

Zooplankton and aquatic insects supply much food, with other small animals and plant material also eaten. Zebrafish are active by day and form social groups with dominance relationships.

Sources

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