celestial pearl danio

Scientific name Danio margaritatus
Descriptor Roberts
Year of description 2007
IUCN category (World) DD
Family Danionidae
Genus Danio
Danio margaritatus Danio margaritatus

Introduction

The fish species Danio margaritatus, commonly known as celestial pearl danio or galaxy rasbora, gets its name from the pattern on its flanks that resembles a starry sky. In English, it is called the "Celestial Pearl danio."

This fish originates from the shallow ponds of Myanmar. It was known to aquarists for a long time before being formally described. It was classified under different genera, particularly Celestichthys, before being placed back among the Danio in 2008.

Who is it?

Morphology

  • Average size
    2 cm
  • Maximum size
    2 cm
  • Longevity
    5 year
  • Pattern
    circle pattern
  • Average size
    2 cm
  • Maximum size
    2 cm
  • Longevity
    5 year
  • Pattern
    circle pattern

How to recognize the celestial pearl danio ?

The body is metallic blue to gray, covered with five to six irregular rows of spots arranged in longitudinal bands across the body. Only two rows extend to the caudal fin.

Bright red stripes adorn the fins. It is easily identified by the 'A' band on the anal fin and the two red bands on the caudal fin.

The mouth is upturned with shortened jaws. The species has between eight and nine main rays. Similar to the emerald danio (D. erythromicron), the galaxy has a miniature size made possible by the gradual disappearance of certain bones. Both species also lack barbels.

Sexual dimorphism

Females have a more rounded abdomen than males and are generally stockier. Males display brighter fin colors.

Behaviour & Life cycle

  • diet
    carnivorous
  • Sociability
    living in shoals
  • territorial
    No
  • Way of living
    diurnal

The celestial pearl danio lives in hiding in groups in vegetation. It is a specialized micro-predator, hunting insects. This non-territorial species pays little attention to other fish.

Reproduction

  • Reproduction
    ovipare qui pond en eau libre

The celestial pearl danio is an oviparous fish that spawns in open water.

Harmless species

This species does not pose any particular danger to humans in its natural habitat.

Where to find it?

Conservation status of populations (IUCN)

World : DD

Geographic distribution & Conservation

The type locality is a pond near the town of Hopong in Myanmar. However, the species is found in a wider area and has even been identified in neighboring Thailand.

Where to see this species?

What is its habitat?

Natural environment characteristics

  • Temperature
    24 - 26 °C
  • pH (acidity)
    6.8 - 7.5
  • gh (hardness)
    8 - 12

Biotope presentation

This species resides in the shallow, vegetation-rich waters of small ponds in Myanmar.

Species of the same biotope

Magasins partenaires proches

Main recommendations for fishkeeping

Deontology

In order to preserve wildlife, if you acquire this animal, it must not be released into the wild. See also, the Fishipedia charter.

Fishipedia supports the practice of responsible and environmentally friendly aquarium keeping. We encourage maintenance if it is motivated by a desire to understand the biological functioning of living things and if it is done with respect for animal life.

We believe that aquaristics is an opening to the discovery of aquatic environments, especially freshwater, and that this knowledge is necessary to better protect and respect these environments. Logically, we refute the compulsive purchase of animals that would not find a sufficient and / or adapted place in the host aquarium.

Our recommendations

  • Min volume
    40 liters
  • Population min
    10
  • Temperature
    24 - 26 °C
  • pH (acidity)
    6.8 - 7.2

Characteristics

  • Difficulty breeding
    moderate
  • Robustness
    tolerant
  • Behaviour
    peaceful
  • Availability
    usual

General reminders

It is strongly advised to read the complete dedicated file and to get information on the feedbacks of maintenance of the envisaged animal, this to avoid any potential conflict whose end result is generally the death of the individual (or the other inhabitants). It is important not to overload your aquarium to limit pollution. This will make maintenance easier.

In nature, animals are subject to weather conditions and live in waters with variable characteristics. The recommendations offered by our team for aquarium maintenance are a guidance and cannot be assimilated to scientific datas.

General reminder on maintenance datas

Le démarrage d'un aquarium est une partie primordiale pour l'équilibre et le bien-être des poissons. Lorsque l'on met en eau un aquarium, l'eau passe naturellement par un cycle biologique : le cycle de l'azote. Celui-ci dure environ trois semaines. Tous les 2 jours, nous vous conseillons de tester votre eau jusqu'à ce que le taux de nitrite soit à zéro pendant plusieurs jours d'affilée.

Pour accélérer ce cycle, vous pouvez utiliser un activateur de bactéries comme JBL Denitrol. Cette solution riche en bactéries vivantes et enzymes permet une mise en place rapide du cycle de l'azote. Les poissons peuvent alors être introduits plus rapidement.

Il est important de tester l'eau de son aquarium régulièrement pour maintenir un environnement sain pour les poissons et les autres habitants. Les tests d'eau permettent de mesurer les niveaux de différents paramètres tels que le pH, la dureté totale, ainsi que les taux de nitrates, de nitrites et d'ammoniaque.

Pour réaliser ces tests, vous pouvez utiliser des produits d'analyse spécialisés tels que JBL ProScan qui permet de réaliser un diagnostic de l'eau directement via un smartphone. Il existe également des coffrets de tests plus classiques de bandelettes, comme JBL PROAQUATEST.

En cas d’usage de l’eau du robinet, vous pouvez utiliser un conditionneur d’eau de type Biotopol de JBL pour éliminer les substances nocives comme le chlore, le cuivre, le plomb et le zinc. Les conditionneurs d'eau garantissent une meilleure santé aux poissons et une meilleure croissance des plantes.

Chlorine and chloramine are dangerous for the health of animals. Used to disinfect water, these agents are present in significant quantities in tap water. We recommend using an anti-chlorine agent every time you change the water. In addition to chlorine, treatments and medicines sold for aquarium use sometimes contain dangerous heavy metals in high doses.

Specific needs for the celestial pearl danio

The celestial pearl danio is a species which lives naturally at a temperature between 24 °C and 26 °C. For proper maintenance, the temperature should never exceed the 29°C for long periods. Nitrate levels should remain below 50mg/L. To keep the water clean and unpolluted, plan on changing 20% to 30% of the water volume each month.

The breeding of this species is accessible on condition of being well informed about its needs in aquarium . Any cohabitants must be chosen with care to avoid the loss of animals.

This species is particularly common in the aquarium trade. Animals from long-term breeding are usually acclimatized at a temperature of about 26 °C in neutral water.

Jumping fish

Be careful, the celestial pearl danio is an excellent jumper, naturally using this faculty to change its living area or to escape from predators. The aquarium must be perfectly covered to prevent him from making a deadly jump...

Cohabitation & Environment

Being a living in shoals fish, it is advisable to install at least 10 individuals in an aquarium of 40 liters minimum. Group maintenance is a prerequisite to ensure their well-being. Lonely individuals tend to quickly become stressed and become especially susceptible to disease. Although sometimes certain groups can "merge", mixing several gregarious species living in the same zone of life is not recommended if the volume is not consequent.

The celestial pearl danio is a peaceful species that generally does not exhibit behavioral problems in a community aquarium.

It should be noticed that this species should not be kept with large crustaceans or fish, as it would become a prey of choice. Smaller species should preferably be inserted in the aquarium some time before the larger ones. Moreover, if you want to breed it, it is better to put them in a specific aquarium.

The species enjoys a particularly vegetation-rich environment. The addition of plants will provide many useful hiding places for resting. These areas are also conducive to possible breeding in the aquarium.

Tips for feeding

The celestial pearl danio is carnivorous.

This species can eat dry food (flakes, pellets), fresh food and frozen food. To avoid deficiencies, it is recommended to vary the types of food.

You should not overfeed your residents to avoid polluting the water. For most species, it is better to feed a few small portions each day rather than one large meal.

Food recommendations from our partner JBL - Products PRONOVO

Reproduction protocol

  • Maintenance difficulty
    hard
  • egg-laying protection
    No

Hybridization risks

In general, it is advised not to mix several species of the same genus or different varieties of the same species, to avoid the risks of hybridization.

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Sources & Contributions

Participation & Validation

The Fishipedia team and specialist contributors are committed to providing high-quality content. However, although the information comes from scientific sources or testimonials from specialists, the cards may contain inaccuracies.

Translation

Translation done with the valuable contribution of our translators, who make this information available to a wider audience. We sincerely thank them for their commitment.

Bibliographic references

The “Celestial Pearl danio” is a miniature Danio (s.s) (Ostariophysi: Cyprinidae): evidence from morphology and molecules - Kevin W. Conway - WEI-JEN CHEN - RICHARD L. MAYDEN - ZOOTAXA - 2008.

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