Breeding Zebra Danios

1- Place a coarse plastic mesh inside the breeding tank and the water level in the tank is adjusted so that the fish have about 5 centimetres to swim in. This ensures that they are unable to eat the eggs.

2 - Zebrafish reproduction depends strongly on photoperiod. Mating is initiated at the onset of light, and spawning typically takes place over a short period thereafter. Zebrafish can occasionally breed throughout the day.

3 - Zebrafish reach sexual maturity at the 3rd month of their development, the breeding fish should be between 7 and 18 months of age for maximum embryo production. An optimal breeding frequency for zebrafish is every 10 days.

4 - Keep and condition males and females danios in separate tanks with up to 8 females or 16 males per 40 litres tank. Feed the fish two three times per day.

5 - Transfer the males into the tank with the females at a ratio of 1 male to 2 females.

6 - Generally, they will spawn within 24 hours and you will see the base of the tank covered in small clear eggs. If they do not, leave them for another 24 hours.

7 - The embryos normally hatch after about 3 days of development but do not need to be fed until 4 days after fertilization. At that time, feed the larvae live microorganisms which can be prepared as an infusoria.

8 - Microworms are an excellent food for small fry, and are one of the easiest live foods to culture.

9 - When the baby fish have reached 21 days of age, they are ready to be transferred to a larger aquarium.