Moderate

Celestial Pearl Danio

By The Aquarium Calculators Editorial Team ·

Danio margaritatus

Complete Celestial Pearl Danio care guide covering omnivore diet requirements, peaceful temperament, minimum 10 Gallons tank setup, and compatible freshwater tankmates. Difficulty: Moderate.

Celestial Pearl Danio

Quick Answer

Celestial Pearl Danio (Danio margaritatus), also known as Galaxy Rasbora, is a small, stunning fish from Myanmar. It requires a minimum 10 Gallons aquarium with a pH of 6.5 - 7.5 and temperature range of 22-26°C. This omnivore occupies the middle zone and makes an excellent addition to community setups.

Intro

Celestial Pearl Danio (Danio margaritatus), also known as Galaxy Rasbora, is a small, stunning fish from Myanmar. Its deep blue body is covered with pearly white spots, and fins flash bright orange-red.

Setup

A heavily planted 10-gallon tank with dark substrate and hiding spots is ideal. They prefer still or slow-moving water. Use a sponge filter to avoid strong currents.

Feeding

Micro pellets, crushed flakes, baby brine shrimp, and daphnia. They have tiny mouths, so food must be small.

Compatibility

Peaceful and shy. Keep in groups of 8-12. Avoid large or fast fish. Good tankmates: Ember Tetras, Chili Rasboras, Cherry Shrimp.

Tank Position
Middle
Water Temp
22-26°C
Adult Size
See profile
Water pH
6.5 - 7.5

Species Characteristics

Adult Size
Lifespan
Growth Rate
moderate
Tank Compatibility
Community compatible
Indoor Aquarium
Yes

Water Parameters

Water Temperature
Humidity
Water pH

Tank Lighting

Tank Lighting
Standard lighting
Light Hours
N/A
Intensity
moderate

Feeding & Diet

Diet Type
Diet: Omnivore
Feeding Schedule
N/A
Live Food Options
N/A

Continue Learning

Recommended Tools

Fish Compatibility Calculator fish compatibility

Health & Disease

Ich (White Spot Disease) common disease • all fish

Related Guides

Understanding pH in Aquariums water parameters • ph

Similar Species

African Leaf Fish Care Guide: Diet & Tank Mates semanticSimilarity Angelfish Care Guide: Tank Size & Diet | The Aquarium Calculators semanticSimilarity Badis Care Guide: Tank Size & Compatibility semanticSimilarity

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Celestial Pearl Danios should be kept together?
Maintain a minimum school of 8 to 12 individuals in a tank of at least 15 gallons (57 liters) with a footprint of 24x12 inches (60x30 cm). Celestial pearl danios (Danio margaritatus) are shoaling fish that display vibrant breeding colors and social behavior only in groups over 10. Groups under 6 cause chronic hiding and stress-induced color loss. Maintain a 1 male:2 female ratio to reduce male aggression. Provide densely planted aquascape with moss (Java, Christmas) and small caves. Tank height under 12 inches (30 cm) is optimal as they are top/mid-water dwellers.
What are the exact water parameters for Celestial Pearl Danios?
Target pH 6.5 - 7.5, General Hardness 5 - 12 dGH, Carbonate Hardness 4 - 8 dKH, Total Dissolved Solids 120 - 250 ppm, Electrical Conductivity 240 - 500 μS/cm, and temperature 68°F - 78°F (20°C - 26°C). They prefer cooler water (optimal 72°F/22°C) and higher temperatures above 78°F (25.5°C) reduce breeding and lifespan. Maintain nitrates below 15 ppm with weekly 20% water changes. Use a sponge filter to avoid strong currents. Add driftwood and leaf litter. Hardness below 3 dGH causes clamped fins.
What is the dietary and medication protocol for Celestial Pearl Danios?
They are micro-predators with very small mouths, requiring 45% protein, 12% fat, 43% plant matter. Feed crushed high-protein flakes, micro-pellets (0.3 mm), live baby brine shrimp, daphnia, and frozen cyclops twice daily. They ignore large pellets. Offer spirulina powder weekly. Medication alert: Tolerate copper (0.15 mg/L) but sensitive to formalin. Use praziquantel safely. Salt baths up to 3 ppt for 10 minutes treat external parasites. Quarantine with malachite green at quarter dose. Avoid dimetridazole and high-dose antibiotics.
How to breed Celestial Pearl Danios in a home aquarium?
Condition 10-12 fish (1 male:2 female) with live baby brine shrimp and blackworms for 2 weeks. Set up a 10-gallon (38 liter) breeding tank with 4 inches (10 cm) of water (pH 7.0, dGH 6, 72°F/22°C), a dense clump of Java moss, and marbles as substrate. Spawning occurs daily at dawn; females scatter 20-30 eggs among moss. Remove parents every 2 days. Eggs hatch in 3-5 days at 72°F (22°C). Fry are 0.1 inch (2.5 mm); feed infusoria for 3 days, then microworms, then baby brine shrimp. Keep tank dark first 3 days.

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