Celestial pearl danio
Danio margaritatus
intermediate careOverview
The celestial pearl danio (Danio margaritatus) — long known as the galaxy rasbora — is one of the most beautiful nano fish in the hobby. A deep blue-green body scattered with pearl spots and finned in orange and black makes the males look hand-painted. Discovered only in 2006 in the highlands of Myanmar, it is peaceful and jewel-like, but its small size, shyness and need for a mature, gentle tank make it an intermediate rather than a beginner fish.
Tank & water
A shoal is best in a mature, planted 40-litre (10-gallon) or larger tank. They come from cool, densely vegetated ponds, so replicate that.
- Temperature: cooler tropical, 20–26 °C; a heater set low keeps it steady in most rooms.
- Water: neutral, pH 6.5–7.5, and clean; they dislike the swings of an immature tank.
- Filtration: a gentle sponge filter avoids strong flow and won’t harm such small fish.
- Planted: dense plants and hiding spots turn shy fish into confident, displaying ones.
Feeding
Celestial pearl danios are micropredators with tiny mouths. Feed fine crushed micro-pellets and powdered foods as the staple, plus plenty of small live and frozen items — baby brine shrimp, cyclops, daphnia and microworms. Their best colour comes from a varied, protein-rich diet, so rotate foods and feed small amounts often.
Tankmates
Keep the community calm and small. CPDs pair beautifully with chili rasboras, harlequin rasboras, pygmy corydoras, small snails and dwarf shrimp such as cherry shrimp. Avoid boisterous, fast or large fish that intimidate them or steal their food.
Give the celestial pearl danio a mature, cool, well-planted nano and a proper group, and it becomes a living jewel that rewards a little extra care.
Celestial pearl danio — frequently asked questions
Is the celestial pearl danio the same as the galaxy rasbora?
Yes. When it was discovered it was sold as the 'galaxy rasbora', but it was later classified as a danio — Danio margaritatus. Both names refer to the same jewelled nano fish, and you will still see the old name in shops.
Why are my celestial pearl danios hiding?
They are naturally shy, and hiding usually means they feel exposed or outnumbered. Keep a group of at least six, plant the tank densely, and avoid large or fast tankmates. In a secure, well-planted nano they grow bold and display constantly.
Do celestial pearl danios need a heater?
They prefer cooler tropical water, around 20–24 °C, and a heater set low keeps that range stable in most homes. They tolerate the low end well but should not be kept cold or subjected to swings.
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