Celestial Pearl Danio (Danio margaritatus)

Celestial Pearl Danio

Celestial Pearl Danio

Danio margaritatus

Difficulty

Moderate

Min. Tank Size

38 Litres (10 US G.)

Size

2-2.5cm (0.8-1 ")

sg

Freshwater

pH

5.7 - 8

Temp.

20 -26 °C (68-78.8°F)

Water Hardness

8-12 °d

Stocking Ratio

1:3 M:F

Availability

Uncommon

Diet

Omnivore
Pellet Foods
Flake Foods
Live Foods

Life Span

3-5 years

Habitat

Asia

Family

Cyprinidae

This animal is available captive bred

Additional names

Galaxy Rasbora, Fireworks Rasbora, Chilli Rasbora, Celestial Pearl Danio

Additional scientific names

Microrasbora sp. "Galaxy", Rasbora toei, Celestichthys margaritatus

Origin

Asia: Myanmar

Sexing

Males have brighter colours and the male develops slightly dark markings on their barbels. Females have less intense colouration and virtually clear ventral and caudal fins.

Breeding

Early rumors that Danio Margaritatus is nearing extinction in the wild due to collection for the aquarium trade proved false. Nevertheless, the rumor persists and keeps prices high. This species is adaptable to captive breeding and tank raised specimens are sometimes available. Danio margaritatus are egglayers, utilising a breeding mop or vegetation (such as java moss). The adults will eat any eggs or fry they find. The eggs are only slightly adhesive so are not guaranteed to stick to the moss or breeding mop when removed to a fry tank.

Tank compatibility

Species tank only, mainly due to their size. Will happily thrive in a well planted small tank. Can be kept with similar sized fish such as Otocinclus, and the smaller Rasboras.

Diet

Mostly seem to prefer small live food such as daphnia and baby brine shrimp. Will also take small pellets or crumbled flakes.

Feeding regime

Feed once or twice a day.

Environment specifics

These fish do well in densely planted mature tanks.

Behaviour

Males can get in scuffles with each other, therefore keep in large enough mixed groups of male/females of 6 or more to spread this aggression.

Identification

Striking tiny fish, with dark blue flanks covered in tiny yellow spots. Their belly is lighter in colour and their fins are striped with orange and black bands.

Pictures

• 

  Celestial Pearl Danio

Videos

Two males sizing each other up	Young Galaxies curious about the camera

External links

• Fishbase (Mirrors: )

• Practical Fishkeeping - profile and care 9.11.06
• Practical Fishkeeping - article on renaming 21.1.08
• Danio margaritatus images and their eggs
• Wikipedia on Danio margaritatus
• The "Celestial pearl danio - A new genus and species of colourful minute cyprinid fish from Myanmar (Pisces: Cypriniformes). Raffles Bulletin of Zoology: Roberts, Tyson R. (2007)
• Connect Fish Frineds