Do Pearl Danios need a heater?

Yes, while they can tolerate slightly cooler water around 20°C, they are tropical fish and are best kept in an aquarium with a stable temperature between 20°C and 25°C to maintain a strong immune system and vibrant colours.

Why are my Pearl Danios constantly chasing each other?

Chasing is natural shoaling behaviour for danios, often involving males displaying to females or individuals establishing a pecking order within the group. As long as no physical damage is occurring, it is perfectly normal.

Are Pearl Danios fin nippers?

They are generally peaceful but may occasionally nip the fins of slow-moving, long-finned fish if kept in a group smaller than six. Keeping them in a sufficiently large shoal diffuses this nervous energy among themselves.

How can I bring out the colours of my Pearl Danio?

Providing a dark substrate, dense planting, stable water conditions, and a diet rich in high-quality live or frozen foods will dramatically enhance their iridescent, pearlescent sheen.

Can Pearl Danios live with Bettas?

It is generally a risk. While Pearl Danios are not highly aggressive, their constant, darting movement can easily stress a slower-moving Betta, and they may nip at its long fins if they feel cramped.

FreshwaterTropicalBeginner

Pearl Danio

Danio albolineatus

The Pearl Danio is an incredibly active, hardy, and iridescent schooling fish that thrives in planted community aquaria.

List this species for sale Find Pearl Danio near me

Ideal Conditions

Temperature: 20 – 25 °C
pH range: 6 – 8
Hardness: 2 – 15 dGH
Adult size: 5 – 6 cm
60L for a minimum shoal of six: 60 litres+
Lifespan: 3 – 5 years
Diet: Omnivore
Water flow: Moderate
Preferred setup: Well-planted with open horizontal swimming space and a tight-fitting lid

About the Pearl Danio

Native to the clear, flowing streams of Southeast Asia, the Pearl Danio (Danio albolineatus) is a beloved staple in the aquarium trade. When properly conditioned, their bodies display a mesmerising, pearlescent shimmer that shifts between pale pink, blue, and violet depending on the light. They are energetic surface-to-midwater swimmers that bring constant movement and vibrancy to the upper levels of a tank.

Find Pearl Danio

Search current listings in your chosen area. If none are available, save an alert and we’ll let you know when a match is listed.

Find locally Check compatibility Add to a Setup

Availability alerts only use public sale listings. Adding this species to a Setup updates your private records.

Is it right for your tank?

Check Pearl Danio against a habitat you already keep. We compare water type, temperature, pH, adult size, group needs and everything living there.

Where Pearl Danio comes from

Native range

Southeast Asia, Malay Peninsula, Sumatra

Countries / regions

Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia

Habitat

Clear, well-oxygenated hill streams and river tributaries often shaded by dense forest canopies.

Widely distributed across the region, leading to several geographical colour morphs.

Similar species

Zebra Danio
Danio rerio
Glowlight Danio
Danio choprae
Leopard Danio
Danio rerio var. frankei

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

Bronze Corydoras
Corydoras aeneus
Peaceful bottom dwellers that occupy a completely different water column, avoiding any competition with the top-dwelling danios.
Great
Rummy-Nose Tetra
Hemigrammus rhodostomus
Active, similarly sized shoaling fish that enjoy the same water parameters and will peacefully co-exist.
Great
Bristlenose Pleco
Ancistrus sp.
A robust, peaceful algae eater that keeps out of the danios' way in the lower regions of the tank.
Great
Siamese Fighting Fish
Betta splendens
The hyperactive darting of the danios can severely stress a Betta, and they may occasionally nip its long, flowing fins.
Compatible with caution
Oscar
Astronotus ocellatus
Large, predatory cichlids will easily view small, torpedo-shaped danios as live food.
Not recommended

Current marketplace listings

Checking the marketplace…

See all Pearl Danio listings

Public Wanted requests

No open requests for Pearl Danio in this market yet.

Looking for Pearl Danio?

Search current listings near you, or post a wanted request so local sellers know what you’re looking for.

Search Pearl Danio listings Post a wanted request