The Dangers of Housing Zebra Danio with Guppy Fry [Risks & 6 Solutions]

Zebra Danio thrives in community tanks and gets along well with guppies. Their small size and timid nature mean they won’t nip fins or chase tank mates. Plus, both require similar water conditions like soft, acidic water and temperatures around 75°F, making them ideal tank mates.

However, there is one major exception to their harmonious relationship guppy fry. When a female guppy gives birth, she releases tiny, transparent babies into the tank that are highly vulnerable as they grow. The fry is less than half an inch long and is the perfect snack size for a hungry Zebra Danio.

I learned this the hard way after coming home one day to find my tank littered with half-eaten fry. The male guppies were frantically chasing the gluttonous Zebra Danio away from their babies with no luck. The Zebra Danios are true omnivores and will voraciously hunt any meaty food source small enough, including their own young.

Keeping guppy fry safe from Zebra Danio in a community tank
Separating pregnant guppies to keep the fry safe
Separating guppy fry after an unexpected birth in a community tank

Use live plants to help guppy fry survive in a community tank
Key Reasons Zebra Danio Eat Fry
Is It Bad for Zebra Danio to Eat Guppy Fry?

In Summary

Keeping guppy fry safe from Zebra Danio in a community tank

Use a breeding box/net –

This allows the pregnant guppy to give birth in a protected space while still in the main tank. Once the fry is born, it can be kept safely in the box until they are big enough not to get eaten.

Have lots of dense planting –

Zebra Danio are open-water swimmers. A heavily planted tank with thick bunches of plants like java moss gives the fry many places to hide and breaks up lines of sight for the Zebra Danio.

Add floating plants –

Floating plants like frogbit or duckweed at the top cover fry, and fry tends to gather near the surface when first born. The roots hanging down create a natural buffer.

Use a bare bottom tank –

With no gravel for the fry to get lost in, they are easier to keep track of and catch if needed to move somewhere safer.

Keep the Zebra Danio school small –

With fewer Zebra Danios, there is less chance they will be able to sweep the tank and hunt all the newborn fry before you can intervene. 6 Zebra Danios or less is ideal.

Have a Backup Fry Tank –

Moving the pregnant mom to give birth in a separate tank prevents the issue altogether. You can then raise the fry in the backup until big enough to reintroduce.

With some planning and precautions, you can safely keep guppies and Zebra Danio together while also enjoying the excitement of breeding guppies!

Zebra Danios tankmates
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Separating pregnant guppies to keep the fry safe

Get a breeding tank/tub ready so you can move the female quickly once you notice she’s pregnant. A 5-10 gallon tank works well.

Check females daily for a gravid spot near the anal fin and a boxy, enlarged belly. This is the sign she will give birth soon.

Use a net or breeding trap to catch the pregnant female. Scooping with a net causes less stress than chasing with your hands.

Place the female guppy in the breeding tank by herself. Make sure the water parameters match the community tank’s temperature and pH.

Provide plenty of hiding spots with plants and decor so she feels secure. A stressed mother may eat her fry.

After she gives birth, let the fry grow for 2-4 weeks before returning the female guppy to the main tank.

Only move the fry once they are about 0.50 inches long. Smaller, and they risk being eaten by tankmates.

Repeat the process each time you notice a pregnant female. It’s ideal to have a dedicated breeding tank ready to go.

Isolating pregnant guppies ensures no fish can get to the vulnerable fry during those critical early weeks of growth. It takes vigilance to keep checking for “baby bumps,” but it is the best way to maximize fry survival!

Separating guppy fry after an unexpected birth in a community tank

Have a small isolation tank ready for frying. A 5-10 gallon with a sponge filter is perfect. Make sure the water parameters match the main tank.

Use a fish net to scoop out any visible fry gently. Slow movements won’t stress the babies or mother.
Target fry gathering near the surface first. Newborns will gravitate toward the top initially.
Disturb and move any decor to flush out hiding fry. Go slowly so they don’t dart into danger.

Remove the mother guppy as well, if possible. She may continue attacking fry after giving birth.
Spend at least 15-20 minutes netting to ensure you rescue as many fry as possible. It’s easy to miss some.
Check the main tank daily for any stragglers you can net out and add to the isolation tank.

Leave the rescued fry in isolation for 2-4 weeks until they are about 0.5 inches long before returning to the main tank.
In the future, isolate pregnant females sooner to avoid unexpected community births.

Acting quickly when a surprise fry appears can make the difference in saving much of the brood. Go slowly and be diligent when netting fish to give the babies their best chance!

Use live plants to help guppy fry survive in a community tank

Choose small-leafed stem plants like hornwort, anacharis, or guppy grass. The dense leaves provide tons of cover.
Plant in thick bunches to mimic natural plant growth. This creates complex hiding spaces within the plants.
Use floating plants like duckweed, frogbit, or water lettuce. Fry can shelter under the dangling roots at the surface.

Include moss like java or Christmas moss. The tangled moss strands give endless nooks for fry to tuck into.
Spread plants out across the whole tank, not just one section. Fry needs quick access to hiding spots.
Allow some open swimming space between plants. Fry still needs room to feed and develop.

Maintain the plants well so they stay healthy and dense. Prune when needed.
Supplement with additional hiding decor like rocks, wood, and cave structures.
Keep the adult fish population low. More fish equals more predators.

With a heavily planted aqua-scape and some luck, some fry may avoid predation until they mature despite the community setting. Plants can give them a fighting chance!

Key Reasons Zebra Danio Eat Fry

Instinct –

As omnivorous fish, Zebra Danio is programmed to hunt and consume small live prey as part of their natural diet. This includes baby fish like guppy fry.

Nutrition –

Fry provides a nutrient-rich, high-protein meal. The tiny bodies contain all the fats, proteins, and vitamins growing Zebra Danio need.

Opportunity –

Fry are vulnerable, slow-moving, and perfectly bite-sized for Zebra Danio. They make for easy targets when available.

Population Control –

Eating fry helps control population growth in the tank and reduces competition for resources.

Wild Behavior –

In the wild, Zebra Danio would hunt fry of other species as a part of their natural feeding behaviors. Captivity hasn’t erased this instinct.

Small Size –

A Zebra Danio’s tiny mouth limits larger prey options. Fry is a perfect size for them to swallow and consume quickly.

So while surprising given their normally peaceful nature, Zebra Danio eagerly eats up guppy and other small fry when given the opportunity. It provides an energy-dense meal their predatory biology drives them toward. Understanding these natural feeding behaviors helps avoid issues.

Is It Bad for Zebra Danio to Eat Guppy Fry?

No. It is not inherently bad for Zebra Danio to eat guppy fry in moderation.

Here are a few reasons why:

Natural Behavior –

Hunting and eating small prey is normal behavior for Zebra Danio. Allowing this provides mental enrichment.

Nutrition –

Guppy Fry provides a nutritious, high-protein meal for Zebra Danio. The nutrients benefit their health.

Population Control –

Eating fry helps naturally regulate both guppy and Zebra Danio populations in the tank.

Exercise –

Chasing down fast-moving fry gives Zebra Danio valuable exercise versus only eating flakes.

Minimal Risk –

Fry is an appropriate size meal for Zebra Danio and won’t cause bloating issues.

Quick Death –

Zebra Danio swiftly swallows fry whole, resulting in a quick, low-stress death.

However, there are a few cautions to keep in mind,

Don’t let Zebra Danio gorging on fry replace their regular diet entirely.

Monitor for aggressive chasing that stresses other fish.
Remove the vulnerable fry you intend to raise before introducing it to the Zebra Danio tank.

So, the occasional fry meal is natural Zebra Danio behavior with little downside. As long as it is kept in moderation, there is no harm in letting Zebra Danio indulge this instinct.

In Summary

Zebra Danio are peaceful community fish but will eat guppy fry due to their natural predatory instincts.
Guppies and Zebra Danio can coexist well in the same tank, except when guppy fry is present.
To protect guppy fry, isolate pregnant females or move the newborn fry to a separate rearing tank. Heavy planting can also provide some refuge.

Eating the occasional fry is natural Zebra Danio behavior and provides enrichment. It should not cause issues in moderation.
With proper precautions for fry, Zebra Danio and guppies make excellent community tank mates given their similar water needs and peaceful temperaments.
Understand the natural behaviors of each species when selecting tank mates. Planning helps avoid predation issues.

Don’t let the Zebra Danio’s fry-eating instincts alone deter you. With some preparation, you can house these two popular species together successfully!