Why are my Celestial Pearl Danios hiding all the time?

They are naturally timid fish. Without dense planting, floating cover, or a sufficiently large shoal (at least 6, ideally 10 or more), they feel vulnerable to predators and will remain hidden.

Can Celestial Pearl Danios live with Betta fish?

It is a significant risk. While CPDs are fast, a Betta may view them as a snack or chase them relentlessly, causing extreme stress. Much depends on the size of the tank and the individual Betta's temperament.

Do Celestial Pearl Danios eat dwarf shrimp?

Adult cherry shrimp are perfectly safe. However, CPDs are opportunistic micro-predators; they will hunt down and eat tiny, newly hatched shrimplets if they spot them in the open.

Why are my CPDs swimming in tight circles and fighting?

Males frequently spar for dominance and breeding rights. This circular 'dancing' and fin-flaring is entirely normal behaviour and rarely results in actual injury, provided the tank is spacious enough for the loser to retreat.

How do you sex Celestial Pearl Danios?

Males have deep, metallic blue bodies with bright red and black striped fins. Females are duller, slightly plumper, have a yellowish-green base colour, and lack the intense red-black banding on their anal and pelvic fins.

FreshwaterTropicalIntermediate

Celestial Pearl Danio

Danio margaritatus

A stunning, jewel-like nano fish native to the high-altitude ponds of Myanmar, prized by aquascapers for its starry markings and striking red-and-black fins.

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Ideal Conditions

Temperature: 20 – 26 °C
pH range: 6.5 – 7.5
Hardness: 5 – 15 dGH
Adult size: 2 – 2.5 cm
Standard 45L (10-gallon) for a starting shoal: 45 litres+
Lifespan: 3 – 5 years
Diet: Omnivore / Micro-predator
Water flow: Low to moderate
Preferred setup: Heavily planted with dense foreground and background vegetation, dark substrate, and some floating cover.

About the Celestial Pearl Danio

Initially introduced to the hobby in 2006 as the 'Galaxy Rasbora', the Celestial Pearl Danio (CPD) took the fishkeeping world by storm. These micro cyprinids boast an incredible pearlescent spot pattern across deep blue flanks. Males proudly display vivid red-and-black striping on their fins, making them one of the most vibrantly coloured additions to a nano planted aquarium.

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Is it right for your tank?

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Where Celestial Pearl Danio comes from

Native range

Southeast Asia, Salween River basin

Countries / regions

Myanmar

Habitat

High-altitude, spring-fed shallow ponds and flooded grasslands densely choked with aquatic vegetation.

Endemic to a very small area near Hopong in the Shan State of Myanmar.

Similar species

Emerald Dwarf Rasbora
Danio erythromicron
Glowlight Danio
Danio choprae
Chili Rasbora
Boraras brigittae

We’re adding more full species guides as the catalogue grows.

Compatible tank mates

Reviewed guidance based on this species' recorded traits.

View all compatibility

Pygmy Corydoras
Corydoras pygmaeus
Equally small, completely peaceful, and occupies the bottom substrate without intimidating the danios.
Great
Cherry Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi
Adult shrimp are perfectly safe. While the danios may pick off a few tiny newborn shrimplets, a planted tank ensures shrimp colonies thrive alongside them.
Great
Otocinclus Catfish
Otocinclus vittatus
Gentle, herbivorous algae eaters that completely ignore other fish, making them an ideal cleanup crew for timid nano species.
Great
Betta Fish
Betta splendens
Depending on the Betta's individual temperament, it may hunt or constantly harass these tiny danios, leading to extreme stress.
Compatible with caution
Angelfish
Pterophyllum scalare
Angelfish grow large enough to easily swallow Celestial Pearl Danios whole as they mature.
Not recommended

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