Celestial Pearl Danios, sometimes called Galaxy Rasboras, have the almost perfect combination of beauty and effortless care that’s highly sought after by many aquarists around the world.
They are an invaluable addition to nano aquariums when an aquarist desires to add a special, colorful look to their tanks.
Even if you are tempted to ignore them, these fish will have something special to capture your attention. Be it the undemanding care needs, beauty, or adaptability.
While they have gained plenty of attention in recent years, a vast majority of pet owners don’t realize just how flexible these fish can be in modern aquariums. This guide will cover everything you need to know about keeping the Celestial Pearl Danio.
You will find out who their best tank mates are, the primary care guidelines to keep in mind, ideal tank size, the key water parameters, breeding, and much more!
Species Overview
Celestial Pearl Danios were only discovered in 2006 but have become everybody’s favorite little Danio within the fishkeeping community.
They are one of the newest arrivals in the aquatic scene that were discovered in small rivers and ponds in Myanmar. And just a few years following their discovery, they were at risk of decline as they quickly became everybody’s favorite pet in the fishkeeping community.
It took the sheer commitment of scientists and breeders around the world to stabilize their population again.
| Category | Rating |
| Family | Cyprinidae |
| Color | White spots along the body with red-colored fins |
| Lifespan | 3-5 Years |
| Care Level | Medium |
| Behavior & Temperament | Peaceful fish community |
| Compatibility | Peaceful communities |
| Food and Diet | Omnivore |
| Size | Up to 1 Inch |
| Tank Setup | Freshwater, shallow with plenty of vegetation |
| Tank Size (Minimum) | 10 Gallons |
Initially, they were called Celestichthys margaritatus. But in 2008, scientists classified them accurately as Danio margaritatus, following conflicting opinions about their identity as just another variety of Rasbora species.
Currently, they are one of the best options for aquarists looking to introduce a beautiful Danio friend to the aquarium. If you want to add an exquisite look to your tank, using a fish species that epitomizes natural beauty, the Celestial Pearl Danio easily fits the bill.
These fish are even more captivating in captivity if you provide quality care that facilitates their complete growth to maturity.
Lifespan
Celestial Pearl Danios have an average lifespan of 3-5 years in home aquariums. A ton of factors can inhibit their growth in captivity, the greatest being low water quality.
Typically, they are peaceful fish species that are perfect for nano tanks. However, they are quite vulnerable to changes in water conditions.
Also, their relaxed demeanor makes them vulnerable to easy attacks from more aggressive species, which could shorten their lifespan even further.
Appearance
Celestial Pearl Danios have never failed to capture the attention of first-time aquarists and even seasoned hobbyists. In fact, you may choose to keep them in a home aquarium purely based on appearance.
For a minute, you would think you are in dreamland, completely taken over by the exquisite look that has earned these fish a new name, Galaxy Rasbora.
Generally, these fish will have their bodies covered in deep blue shades, with striking spots resembling a pearl. They have deep red or orange fins that carefully stabilize their bodies when swimming.
The fins match perfectly with their small body size, and you won’t fail to notice them as they search for food in the tank. In addition, they have a large dorsal fin and two pelvic fins, completing their unique body pattern.
Like many fish species, you will notice slight differences between the male and female Celestial Pearl Danios. The males will generally have a more slender shape, with thinner bodies than the plump females.
Also, coloration gives the subtle differences between the male and female Danios. The males tend to have a more vibrant color throughout their bodies, while the females are slightly faded with orange shades in place of red.
Size
Celestial Pearl Danios don’t fit the category of large fish species in the aquarium. They grow to about 0.75-1 inch in full maturation. However, they have a faster growth rate, and the young ones will have reached the optimum size by three months.
We can’t tell if the small body size is an advantage or a disadvantage to you. But all we know is that Celestial Pearl Danios are an excellent choice if you need a tiny little friend to help you create a spotless aquarium.
Celestial Pearl Danio Care
Caring for the Celestial Pearl Danio should be easy, regardless of your level. Usually, these fish need modest adjustment to the tank conditions to thrive.
You will want to pay meticulous attention to the water conditions for a start, as this could make or break the fishkeeping experience.
Just keep in mind that these fish are susceptible to increasing stress levels. And the least you can do to improve their lifespan is to keep everything at the right level.
Working tirelessly to provide the right tank size, a balanced diet, and proper care is the secret to keeping a healthy Celestial Pearl Danio community, regardless of the number.
If you start everything on the right foot, be sure to enjoy a wholesome experience with your little Celestial Pearl Danio friends.
Tank Size
The most suitable tank size for the Celestial Pearl Danio will depend on the actual number you intend to keep. Assuming you are going with 5-6 fish simultaneously, the minimum tank size will be 10 gallons.
Then, you will have to keep a simple rule in mind. It states that for every additional Danio you will be introducing to the tank, you require an extra 2 gallons. This should give every fish enough swimming space while maintaining comfort even when packed in the same tank.
And now that we are talking about the right tank size, you may be wondering if going with a bigger tank size is even worth it at all, given their small size.
Well, to clarify, any fish species would always appreciate enough room for swimming and security, and the tiny Celestial Pearl Danio is no exception. If you have the budget, space, and resources, creating the perfect habitat for your little pet friends won’t hurt.
Water Parameters
Regarding water parameters, the key to keeping Celestial Pearl Danios healthy and active in the tank remains pretty much the same as in any other fish species.
Whatever happens, be sure to replicate the exact conditions they are quite fond of in their original habitat. In the wild, they live in pure shallow stream waters throughout Myanmar. This already indicates that they will love their tank waters pure with low saline content.
The general guiding principles when setting the ideal tank for these fish are highlighted below:
- Water Temperature: 73°F-79°F
- Water Hardness: 2-10 dKH
- pH Levels: 6.5-7.5
Usually, we encourage aquarists to purchase the right test kit to help them frequently measure the water’s status in the fish’s habitat.
By monitoring the water conditions habitually, you will be taking a huge stride towards creating a pristine environment for your Celestial Pearl Danios.
What to Put in Their Tank?
How about the right tank décor? Should you go with artificial caves? Let’s see.
Well, when it comes to what to include in a Celestial Pearl Danio’s habitat, vegetation should be automatic. Their original habitat in Myanmar has pure water because of the tightly packed vegetation around the place.
Celestial Pearl Danios have a unique relationship with live plants. And their popularity in the aquascaping community proves just as much.
Aside from acting as comfy hiding places, introducing vegetation in the aquarium will also give your fish the best spots for breeding. Not to mention the good snacks they could become on occasion.
A little flexibility is not a bad idea when introducing live plants to the tank, but not at the expense of comfort. That’s why we recommend popular live plants such as Java Moss, Java fern, and Hornwort.
Also, driftwoods and rocks are an important addition to the tank to give your fish natural hiding spaces and a stress-free environment for survival. Again, you can opt for flexibility when introducing suitable substrates.
Celestial Pearl Danios are not necessarily bottom dwellers, but they tend to spend a lot of time at the bottom half of the aquarium.
Besides, they are not quite adept at digging, so you can go with the suitable substrate depending on the live plants you’ve included in the tank. We always recommend dark, fine sand for versatility, but you may want to go with what suits your tank.
Finally, never forget the importance of proper filtration when keeping Celestial Pearl Danios at home. They are neat fish that won’t tolerate water pollutants.
For effective filtration, the canister filter or the standard hang-on filter should be fine. You may not need air bladders and strong pumps because these fish have a strong liking for slow-flowing water, just like in Myanmar ponds.
Common Diseases
A few things may worry you about keeping Celestial Pearl Danios, but species-specific diseases are certainly not one of them. At the moment, there’s no specific disease that’s strongly linked to the Celestial Pearl Danio alone.
In general, they may be affected by common conditions affecting the entire freshwater community. We could only think of the fin rot disease here, given these fish were only discovered about a decade ago. This disease causes discoloration and fragility at the edges of the fish’s fin.
Usually, it is linked to a range of possible causes, including poor water conditions and fighting. You can prevent it by maintaining sustainable conditions in the tank and keeping the right number of fish in the same space.
You will notice a massive improvement in the health of the affected species as soon as you restore the water conditions to optimum levels. Also, you can use the right medications to manage the fin rot disease at home.
What do Celestial Pearl Danios Eat?
Celestial Pearl Danios are not very selective with their diets, perhaps because they are omnivores. In the wild, their diet will comprise of plants and algae.
Plankton is their favorite snack, and they will consume it often to supplement their nutritional needs. Also, they may look for small vertebrae when they need protein.
In captivity, they do well with commercial fish food, including pellets and flakes. Sinking pellets are also an excellent choice if you can get the best quality.
As part of a proper feeding plan, you won’t want to overfeed your Celestial Pearl Danios or pollute the tank during feeding. So, you will need to understand their feeding habits in the tank. If you have to feed them pellets, be sure to get the right size that fits their small mouths.
Never forget that these fish have tiny mouths, just like their entire body. And physical foods of larger sizes may endanger their lives.
When it comes to dietary supplements, the list is almost endless. Here, you can introduce your fish to live Daphnia, Grindal worms, krill, Brine shrimps, and other commercial foods they’ve become quite fond of in the aquarium.
Behavior & Temperament
Celestial Pearl Danios love to live in groups and exhibit a peaceful demeanor for the better part of the day. Separation is common in these fish species once they are fully absorbed into their new environment.
One thing you will want to control is the potential for squabbles inside the tank. This is especially common if you keep more than one male in the same tank.
If you can designate enough space for every male in the tank, you will have managed the most common cause of fights over territorial control.
But even with enough space for swimming, the male Danios may still fight over the females. If you can’t separate the males in the tank to avoid endless fights, keep more females in the same aquarium to eliminate competition.
Celestial Pearl Danio Tank Mates
Celestial Pearl Danios are excellent for pairing with most fish of the same species. They are best kept with gentle fish species that will mind their own business.
This group includes the neon tetras, guppies, and any other less aggressive fish species. The larger fish may be dangerous for your Celestial Pearl Danios because they will see the little Danios as edible snacks.
Even when going for peaceful fish, be sure to get the right type or at least a more active species to let the Celestial Pearl Danios casually occupy their favorite spot inside the tank.
In summary, these are some of the best fish species you can keep together with Celestial Pearl Danios for compatibility:
- Sparkling Gourami
- Honey Gourami
- Amano Shrimp
- Endler’s Livebearer
- Red Cherry Shrimp
- Molly Fish
- Cory Fish
- Killifish
- Guppies
- Tetras
Breeding
Galaxy Rasboras are easy to breed. We would call it effortless to show you how easy it can be to breed these fish in captivity.
Unlike many species, Galaxy Rasboras have no specific season for breeding. So, you can initiate the process quickly at home by providing the right food.
The females will want the perfect hiding spot with reduced water flow to lay at least 30 eggs for fertilization. You must be alert during this period to keep an eye on the laid eggs, given their small size.
Also, the males are a major threat to the eggs and will want to feed on them without close monitoring. To continue the breeding process, you may want to separate the eggs to a spawning tank, safe from the other species and potential dangers.
Usually, the eggs hatch after 2-4 days, after which you will need to take care of the young loaches. This is not the right time to introduce ordinary fish food just yet. Instead, you can go with micro foods to help steady the fish’s growth to full maturity.
The primary diet will always change according to the growth rate until the little ones are ready to eat small worms, flakes, and baby brine shrimp. Under normal conditions, their fish should have attained full maturation by the time they approach three months.
Final Thoughts
From this guide, there are several things you will love about the Celestial Pearl Danio, and ease of care is just one of those. These unique fish species are the perfect option for creating a lively home aquarium filled with fun and extreme beauty.
You can’t imagine how often we recommend Celestial Pearl Danios to different aquarists around the world. We can’t get enough of their striking look!
If you are still on the fence regarding Galaxy Rasbora care at home, we strongly encourage you to be decisive.
Celestial Pearl Danios are a joy to watch at home and the ideal low-maintenance option for a wholesome fishkeeping adventure.
If you can follow our care guidelines, we can only imagine how much fun the Celestial Pearl Danio will bring to your favorite pastime!
