zebra fish
zebra fish, any member of either of two unrelated groups of fishes, the freshwater species in the genus Danio (family Cyprinidae; order Cypriniformes) and the saltwater species in the genus Pterois (family Scorpaenidae; order Scorpaeniformes). The zebra danio (Danio rerio), a popular freshwater aquarium fish originally from Asia, is small (up to about 4 cm [1.5 inches] long) and has dark-blue and silvery longitudinal stripes.
zebra fishZebra danios (Danio rerio) are popular aquarium fishes.
The distinctive saltwater zebra fishes (Pterois), used in marine aquariums, have extremely large pectoral fins, numerous extremely poisonous spines, and colourful vertical stripes. Some species are more commonly known by the names lionfish and turkeyfish.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica This article was most recently revised and updated by John P. Rafferty.
Citation Information
Article Title:
zebra fish
Website Name:
Encyclopaedia Britannica
Publisher:
Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.
Date Published:
23 September 2020
Access Date:
November 14, 2026