Celestial Pearl Danio
Danio margaritatus
Also known as Galaxy Rasbora, CPD
Edited by Ivan F. · Reviewed
Beginner verdict
A tiny, spotted fish that looks like a miniature galaxy, ideal for a heavily planted small tank. It is shy, and larger or more boisterous fish will intimidate it and take its food. Dense plants, a dark substrate and small companions bring it out into the open.
Care at a glance
- Min tank size
- 11 US gal
- Footprint
- 18 x 12 in
- Temperature
- 68–79 °F
- pH
- 6.5–7.5
- Hardness
- 5–15 dGH
- Swim zone
- Mid-Water
- Min group
- 6 fish
- Lifespan
- 3–5 years
Celestial Pearl Danio care mistakes to avoid
The mistakes beginners most often make with this species.
- Do not buy just one or two. Keep at least 6 fish so they feel secure.
- Plant heavily. This timid fish hides constantly in a bare or brightly lit tank.
- Keep it with very small, calm fish. Larger tank mates outcompete it for food.
- Do not worry about small sparring. Rival males nip at each other, but rarely at other species.
- Check your tank before you buy. Our sourced minimum is 11 US gallons.
Celestial Pearl Danio tank mates and swim zone
Mid-Water
Spends most of its time in this part of the tank.
Poecilia wingei
Trichopsis pumila
Corydoras pygmaeus
Otocinclus macrospilus
Hymenochirus boettgeri
Epiplatys annulatus
Danio rerio
Celestial Pearl Danio is small and shy, and is easily outcompeted for food by Zebra Danio.
Puntius titteya
Celestial Pearl Danio is small and shy, and is easily outcompeted for food by Cherry Barb.
Barbodes semifasciolatus
Gold Barb is much larger than Celestial Pearl Danio and may frighten or even eat it.
Poecilia reticulata
Celestial Pearl Danio is small and shy, and is easily outcompeted for food by Fancy Guppy.
Xiphophorus hellerii
Swordtail is big enough to eat or bully a fish as small as Celestial Pearl Danio.
Trichogaster lalius
Dwarf Gourami is big enough to eat or bully a fish as small as Celestial Pearl Danio.
Pelvicachromis pulcher
Kribensis Cichlid is big enough to eat or bully a fish as small as Celestial Pearl Danio.
Mikrogeophagus ramirezi
Their temperature ranges do not overlap, so one of them would always be stressed.
Carinotetraodon travancoricus
Pea Puffer is fast and nippy and will bully a timid little fish like Celestial Pearl Danio.
Celestial Pearl Danio feeding and care
How to feed
- Feed crushed flakes and micro pellets small enough for its mouth.
- Add baby brine shrimp or daphnia, which shy fish will come out for.
- Feed small portions you can see finished within a couple of minutes, because overfeeding fouls the water fast.
Telling males from females
Males have a deep blue body and intense red and black fins. Females are paler, with a rounder belly.
Plants that suit it
Species facts
- Family
- Cyprinidae
- Native to
- Shan Plateau, Myanmar
- Adult size
- 0.8 in (2.1 cm)
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social needs
- Schooling/Shoaling (6+)
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Water flow
- Gentle
- Substrate
- Any
- Live plants
- Yes - Loves Plants
- Shrimp
- Adult Shrimp Only
- Fin nipping
- Low
- Vulnerable to nippers
- No
- Breeding
- Moderate
Celestial Pearl Danio FAQ
What size tank do Celestial Pearl Danios need?
Our sourced minimum is 11 US gallons (41 liters), with a footprint of 45 x 30 cm. A bigger tank is always easier to keep stable.
How many Celestial Pearl Danios should I keep?
Keep at least 6 fish. Bigger groups usually look better and behave more confidently.
What can live with Celestial Pearl Danios?
Good matches on our list include Endler's Livebearer, Sparkling Gourami and Pygmy Corydoras. Avoid Swordtail and Dwarf Gourami.
How long do Celestial Pearl Danios live?
Care guides report about 3–5 years. Stable water and a good diet make the biggest difference.
Are celestial pearl danios shy?
Yes, especially at first. Dense plants, dim light and small surface-dwelling companions usually help them settle and show themselves.
Where to buy Celestial Pearl Danio
Stores that list it under the same scientific name as this page. We earn nothing from these links. We have not bought from them, so check each store's own terms.
We have not found a store that sells Celestial Pearl Danio under its scientific name yet. We add stores as we confirm them.
Live animals and plants travel by courier. Check the store's live-arrival guarantee, and only buy once your tank has cycled (see how to cycle a fish tank).
Some US states restrict certain species. Check our US state aquarium rules table and your state's own rules before you buy.
Complete the tank
The essentials for a small, gently filtered tank.
Tank size for this species
At least 11 US gallons (41 L), 45 x 30 cm footprint
Filter
Air-driven sponge filter
Gentle flow that small fish and long fins can handle, plus a safe home for good bacteria.
Aquarium Co-Op Coarse Sponge Filter (Small) US
Fluval AquaClear 20 Power Filter US
Tetra Brillant Filter Spain
Fluval AquaClear 20 Power Filter Spain
Why we chose these (Best Filter for a 10-Gallon Tank). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Heater
Adjustable heater, about 5 W per gallon: 25 W at 5 gallons, 50 W at 10
Keeps a small tank stable. Adjustable models let you set the temperature your species needs. Size up for a cold room.
Fluval T50 Fully Electronic Aquarium Heater US
Aqueon Pro Adjustable Heater 50 W US
Fluval T50 Fully Electronic Aquarium Heater Spain
Eheim Thermocontrol e 50 Heater Spain
Why we chose these (Best Heater for a 10-Gallon Aquarium). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Water Conditioner
Dechlorinator such as Seachem Prime
Tap water contains chlorine or chloramine that harms fish.
Seachem Prime US
Fritz Complete Water Conditioner US
API Betta Water Conditioner US
sera aquatan Spain
Tetra AquaSafe Spain
Maker's page · Sold at Kiwoko · Sold at Tiendanimal · Sold at zooplus.es
Why we chose these (Best Water Conditioner for Betta Fish). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Test Kit
Liquid kit such as API Freshwater Master
Tracks ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH while the tank cycles.
API Freshwater Master Test Kit US
API General & Carbonate Hardness Test Kit US
Maker's page · Sold at The Shrimp Farm · Sold at Bulk Reef Supply
sera aqua-test box (Cl) Spain
JBL PROAQUATEST COMBISET Plus NH4 Spain
Why we chose these (Best Test Kit for a Freshwater Aquarium). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Cycle the tank before adding animals. See our guide on how to cycle a fish tank.