Celestial Pearl Danio care guide
Celestial Pearl Danio (Danio margaritatus) — minimum tank 30 L, temperature 20-26 °C, pH 6.5-7.5. Peaceful middle-water species.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
The Celestial Pearl Danio (Danio margaritatus), originally marketed as Galaxy Rasbora, was described in 2006 from Myanmar. Males display a dark blue-green body covered in pearly spots with vivid red-orange fins. The species is small and best kept in densely planted nano aquaria.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cyprinidae
- Genus: Danio
- Scientific name: Danio margaritatus
- Common synonyms: Galaxy Rasbora
Habitat
Native to small ponds and seepages at over 1,000 m elevation in the Salween basin of eastern Myanmar and northern Thailand. The natural waters are clear, cool and densely overgrown with submerged plants similar to Elodea.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 30 L (7.9 US gal)
- Adult size: 2-3 cm
- Temperature: 20-26 °C (68-79 °F)
- pH: 6.5-7.5
- GH: 2-10 °dGH
- Water flow: low
- Lifespan: 3-5 years
- School size: ≥6 individuals
Diet
A micropredator. In the wild it feeds on small zooplankton and insects. In aquaria provide micro-pellets, crushed flake and small live or frozen foods such as cyclops, daphnia and microworms. The species is not an active swimmer and feeds slowly.
Compatibility
Peaceful but timid; males may engage in non-damaging display fights. Maintain in groups of six or more with similar nano companions such as Chili Rasbora, Ember Tetra and dwarf shrimp. Avoid larger or boisterous species that may intimidate the fish into permanent hiding.
Breeding
Danio margaritatus is a continuous, vegetation-dependent egg-scatterer. Females release small batches of eggs hidden among fine-leaved plants or moss. In a mature, well-planted tank without predators, juveniles can appear without targeted intervention.
Breeding Celestial Pearl Danio
Overview
Danio margaritatus is an egg-scattering spawner that shows no parental care, and Seriously Fish notes the adults eat the eggs, so they must be removed immediately after spawning. In good condition the fish spawn frequently; Wikipedia reports they spawn almost every day in nature, with females needing recovery time between batches.
Sexing
Males have a steel-to-deep blue body with intense red and black striping in the fins, pearly-white spots, and a reddish abdomen when spawning. Females are blue-green with weaker fin color, cream-golden spots, and a larger, rounder body; a small dark vent (anal) marking appears when they are ready to spawn.
Conditioning the Breeders
Well-conditioned fish spawn readily. Pairs or groups can be conditioned in the main tank or in small separate containers of 10-15 litres.
Breeding Setup
- Fine wool mops, Taxiphyllum or other fine-leaved plants as the spawning medium
- Aged water; a small air-powered sponge filter is optional
- Strong lighting and filtration are not required
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Males display to passing females and conduct brief chases before pairs move into the vegetation to deposit eggs. Around 30 mildly adhesive eggs are deposited in a typical spawning event. Wikipedia adds that rival males may follow a mating pair to fertilize or eat the eggs.
Egg & Fry Care
Remove the adults after spawning. Incubation is temperature-dependent at roughly 72 hours, and Wikipedia gives 3-4 days at 24-25 C for larvae to emerge; fry are free-swimming 3-4 days post-hatch. First foods are Paramecium or a 5-50 micron proprietary dry food, progressing to Artemia nauplii and microworm. Coloration develops from about week 12.
Common Challenges
Egg predation by the adults and other males is the main risk, so a separate spawning medium and prompt removal of adults are important. The tiny fry require infusoria-grade first foods.