Celestial Pearl Danio

Danio margaritatus

Discovered only in 2006, the "galaxy rasbora" wears a starry body and fins striped like tiny tigers.

A peaceful freshwater fish that grows to 2.5 cm, lives in the middle of the tank in groups of 6 or more and needs 20–26 °C, pH 6.5–7.6 and an aquarium of at least 30 L.

Care at a glance

Water

Freshwater

Temperature

20–26 °C (68–79 °F)

pH

6.5–7.6

Adult size

2.5 cm (1.0 in)

Aquarium

30 L or bigger (8 US gal)

Temperament

Peaceful

Group size

6 or more

Swims

Middle

Diet

Omnivore

Wild home

Spring-fed ponds of Myanmar

Good to know

• Shy. Stressed without plants, rocks or caves to hide in.

Tank mates

Good company: Amano Shrimp, Bristlenose Pleco, Corydoras, Dwarf Gourami, Ghost Shrimp, Honey Gourami, Kuhli Loach, Marbled Hatchetfish, Mystery Snail, Neocaridina Shrimp.

Eaten by: Angelfish, Asian Arowana, Axolotl, Bala Shark, Black Ghost Knifefish, Comet Goldfish, Electric Blue Acara, Fancy Goldfish, Firemouth Cichlid, Flowerhorn, Frontosa, Jack Dempsey and 9 more.

Attacked by: Demasoni Cichlid, Flowerhorn, Jack Dempsey, Pea Puffer.

Eats the newborn fry of: Crystal Red Shrimp, Neocaridina Shrimp.

Its fry are eaten by: Betta, Black Skirt Tetra, Bloodfin Tetra, Boesemani Rainbowfish, Cardinal Tetra, Cherry Barb, Clown Loach, Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid, Congo Tetra, Discus, Dwarf Gourami, Dwarf Neon Rainbowfish and 22 more.

Colours and breeding

• Classic rare

In Aquarius a grown male and female breed in a healthy tank. Their young are born about 0.3 cm long and take after one of the parents.

The care values are the ones Aquarius uses, based on how these animals live. Tank mates follow the game's rules: water type, temperature and pH, who can swallow whom, fin nipping, temperament and territory.