Celestial Pearl Danio - Danio margaritatus : Complete Fish Profile & Care Guide
Table of contents
Introduction
Celestial Pearl Danios (Danio margaritatus) captivate enthusiasts with their captivating hues and intriguing demeanour. They make a delightful addition to nano and densely planted aquariums, infusing vibrant splashes of colour into any aquatic landscape. To ensure their well-being, providing ample hiding spots and maintaining a tranquil environment is paramount, considering their shy disposition.
As shoaling creatures, Celestial Pearl Danios engage in social interactions, notably sparring among rival males. While minor fin-nipping may occur during these interactions, such behaviour is unlikely to extend to other tankmates. It is advisable to maintain these fish in groups of at least ten individuals, dispersing aggression within the cohort and enhancing the display of their vivid hues. Optimal companions for Celestial Pearl Danios encompass other small Cyprinids, microdevario species, and comparably sized surface-dwelling counterparts. It is advisable to refrain from cohabitating them with larger or more robust tankmates that could potentially intimidate or outcompete them for sustenance.
Crafting a natural and enriching habitat for these fish entails a densely planted environment with a dark substrate, fostering broken lines of sight to mitigate their inherent skittishness. Incorporating floating plants serves as a beneficial addition, while the introduction of driftwood and dried leaves should be avoided due to the release of tannins. Gentle filtration, particularly an air-powered sponge filter, proves to be most suitable for maintaining water quality and ensuring the well-being of Celestial Pearl Danios.
Male Celestial Pearl Danios showcase vibrant blue body pigmentation with enhanced colouration in their fins, contrasting with females that feature subdued bluish-green hues along with a yellowish tint adorning their bellies. Both genders are adorned with petite pearly dots distributed across their bodies, contributing to their distinctive aesthetic appeal.
Celestial Pearl Danio Photos
Sexual Dimorphism
Distinguishing between male and female Celestial Pearl Danios is relatively simple. Males tend to be thinner, more vibrantly coloured, and have a distinctively orangy chest. Additionally, their bodies tend to have a higher tail end. In contrast, females have a more rounded body shape and are slightly duller in colour.
Quick Facts
| Scientific Name | Danio margaritatus |
|---|---|
| Year Described | 2006 |
| Other Names | Galaxy rasbora, Fireworks rasbora, Rasbora toei, Chilli rasbora, Microrasbora |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Classification | Actinopterygii |
| Order | Cypriniformes |
| Family | Cyprinidae |
| Genus | Danio |
| Origins | Myanmar |
| Max Size | 2.5 cm |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Aquarium Level | Middle - Top |
| Difficulty | Beginner - Intermediate |
| Shoaling | Yes |
| Best kept as | Groups 6+ |
| Diet & Feeding | Omnivore |
| Reproduction | Egg-Scatterer |
| Average Lifespan | Up to 5 Years |
Water Parameters
| Water Type | Freshwater |
|---|---|
| pH | 6 .5 - 7.5 |
| GH | 3 - 15 |
| KH | 1 - 5 |
| TDS | 100 - 500 |
| ℉ | 68 - 78 |
|---|---|
| ℃ | 20 - 25 |
Natural Habitat
Celestial Pearl Danios are endemic to a specific geographic area near Hopong, situated east of Inle Lake, on the fringes of Taunggyi, the capital of the Shan state in Myanmar, formerly known as Burma. Their natural habitat is confined to this small mountainous region in Southeast Asia. This restricted distribution has significantly contributed to their appeal and popularity among aquarium enthusiasts, making them highly coveted additions to aquatic displays. Introducing these unique fish to your aquarium provides an opportunity to highlight their extraordinary beauty and rarity.
Breeding
As an egg-scattering species, Celestial Pearl Danios do not exhibit any parental care, but they can spawn often in a densely-planted aquarium. If you want to increase the yield of fry, a more controlled approach is necessary. You can condition a group of adult fish together and set up small containers with mature water, fine-leaved plants, or spawning mops. Introducing a single pair or group to each container, including one or two males and several females, should be done once the adult fish are well-conditioned. However, note that more individuals involved can increase the risk of egg predation, and males may distract each other from the females.
After spawning, it is best to remove the adults, or they will consume the eggs if given a chance. Females will require a recovery period before spawning again, as they cannot produce eggs daily. The eggs'incubation period is temperature-dependent, typically taking around 72 hours to hatch. The fry will become free swimming about three to four days later. Initially, Paramecium or a proprietary dry food of a small grade, should be used to feed the fry. You can introduce baby brine shrimp and microworm around a week later once the fry is large enough to accept them.
Diet & Feeding
To ensure the optimal health and colouration of your Celestial Pearl Danios, it's essential to consider their small mouth structure when choosing their diet. Fortunately, these fish are not discerning eaters and readily consume high-quality dried foods like pellets, granules, and flakes. Given their tendency to occupy the middle to bottom regions of the aquarium, sinking dried food options may be more appropriate. Additionally, supplementing their diet with live, frozen, or freeze-dried fare such as daphnia and bloodworms provides essential nutrients and can accentuate their natural vibrancy.
Frequently asked questions
Videos
10 tank mate ideas for the Celestial Pearl Danio
Looking for some awesome tank mate ideas for your Celestial Pearl Danio? Look no further! Here are 10 of the most captivating & fascinating options that will liven up your aquarium!
