Pearl Danio

Geographic Origin and Biotope: Southeast Asia (Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia). Lives in fast-flowing clear hill streams, shaded by forests, with gravel and pebble bottoms.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Pearl Danio (Danio albolineatus). A classic medium-sized aquarium cyprinid. Features an aerodynamic tapered body of a current swimmer and two pairs of long barbels.

Social Behavior: Hyperkinetic, lively, peaceful. Strictly gregarious species: must be kept in schools of at least 8-10 individuals. Males perform fast bloodless displays to establish hierarchies.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Breathtaking iridescent coloration: pearlescent lilac, pinkish and light blue shades, crossed by two lateral lines (one white and one reddish). Males are more slender, more colorful and have reddish-edged fins.

Aquarium Setup: A long aquarium (minimum 80-100 cm / 32-40 inches) with ample space for swimming at the top is essential. Oversized filter that creates a vigorous current, river rocks, wood and tightly sealed lid (they jump!).

Diet and Feeding: Insectivore and surface omnivore. Appreciates high quality flakes, but gives its best if fed with fruit flies (Drosophila), bloodworms, daphnia and brine shrimp.

Water Quality: Very robust and tolerant to chemical values, provided the water is very fresh, oxygenated (does not tolerate summer hypoxia) and poor in pollutants.

Compatibility and Tankmates: Perfect in Asian community tanks. Ideal companion for Botias, Garras, calm Barbs and bottom fish. Its frantic swimming can unnerve static and slow fish like Anabantoids (Gouramis or Bettas).

Aquarium Reproduction: Very easy. They scatter their eggs in the morning among mosses or fine-leaved plants. No parental care; adults will ruthlessly eat the eggs if not separated by a bottom grid.

Risks and Diseases: Confinement stress: if kept in short tanks (e.g. 40 cm) or in small groups they develop apathy, color loss and a predisposition to bacteriosis. Jumping suicides are frequent.