Celestial Pearl Danio (CPD / Galaxy Rasbora)
Danio margaritatus
Celestial Pearl Danio (CPD / Galaxy Rasbora) (Danio margaritatus) is a freshwater species with an adult-size reference of about 2 cm. It needs at least 40 litres and 8 individuals, with its social and territorial profile taken into account.
Water Temperature
20 - 25 °C
pH Value
6.5 - 7.5
Water type
Freshwater
Tank level
Middle
Adult size
2 cm
Minimum tank volume
>= 40 L
Minimum group
>= 8
GH
5 - 15 dGH
KH
2 - 8 dKH
TDS
95 - 305 ppm
Conductivity
148 - 477 uS/cm
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: A freshwater species; the enclosure should provide stability, oxygenation, space and shelter consistent with its behaviour without turning one habitat description into a mandatory recipe.
Taxonomy and Morphology: The accepted scientific name is Danio margaritatus; the verified classification records genus Danio, family Danionidae, subfamily Danioninae, order Cypriniformes. Historical names remain searchable as synonyms rather than separate species.
Social Behavior: Celestial Pearl Danio (CPD / Galaxy Rasbora) is social and should be kept in a group. The minimum reference is 8 individuals; sex, maturity and available space can require a more conservative composition. Observe access to food, resting behaviour, chasing and use of shelter. Isolation, persistent competition or aggression means the number, composition or environment needs to be corrected.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Colour and shape can vary with age, sex, physiological state and environmental conditions. Identification and sexing require recognized species-level characters; one appearance or photograph is not enough.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Aquarium Setup: Celestial Pearl Danio (CPD / Galaxy Rasbora) needs an aquarium of at least 40 litres, sized for adult body size and a minimum group of 8 individuals. Filtration, shelter and swimming room must match the species and the actual number kept. Volume alone does not make an enclosure suitable: tank shape and length, usable area, oxygenation and the ability to separate territories must reflect adult behaviour.
Diet and Feeding: The recorded diet is omnivorous. Offer appropriately sized foods varied within that category, and adjust quantity and frequency from actual intake, body condition and leftovers. One food or a fixed schedule is not suitable for every age and situation.
Water Quality: Maintain stable, well-oxygenated water appropriate to a freshwater species; the card's reference values are 20–25 °C, pH 6.5–7.5. Verify conditions with reliable tests and size maintenance and filtration to the actual load. Ranges are not automatic thresholds for treatment or rapid chemical correction.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: The cohabitation profile is suitable for a compatible community, with a generally peaceful temperament. Keep at least 8 individuals; tankmates, stocking density and decor must allow escape, rest and feeding without excessive competition. Watch interactions especially during feeding, maturity and breeding. Persistent chasing, injury or exclusion from food requires a change in stocking or layout, or separation of the animals.
Aquarium Breeding: The recorded reproductive profile is “egg scattering”. Breeding should be attempted only with healthy adults, separation capacity and a plan for eggs or young. Do not treat unverified triggers, sex ratios or hatch times as universal for this species.
Risks and Diseases: Use a secure cover and close escape gaps. Prevent problems through quarantine of new arrivals, stable water, appropriate feeding and daily observation. Similar signs can have different causes, so check parameters, history and diagnosis before medication. Follow the product label and qualified aquatic-veterinary advice; there is no universal reduced dose for a species or family.
Geographic origin and distribution
A freshwater species; the enclosure should provide stability, oxygenation, space and shelter consistent with its behaviour without turning one habitat description into a mandatory recipe.
Origin
South and Southeast Asia
Fish profile
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Celestial Pearl Danio (CPD / Galaxy Rasbora) has a generally peaceful temperament. Insufficient space, an unsuitable social ratio or incompatible tankmates can substantially change observed behaviour.
- Diet
- Omnivore
- They are micro-predators that naturally feed on zooplankton and tiny invertebrates. In the aquarium, they require small-sized foods such as crushed high-quality flakes, specialized micro-pellets, and powdered fry food. Live or frozen micro-foods like daphnia, microworms, and newly hatched brine shrimp are highly recommended for optimal health and color.
- Life expectancy
- 3-5 years
- Adult size
- 2 cm
- Sex ratio
- Group
- Celestial Pearl Danio (CPD / Galaxy Rasbora) is social and should be kept in a group. The reference minimum is 8 individuals and must not be read as permission to overcrowd the aquarium.
- Feeding frequency
- Twice daily
- Because of their small digestive tracts, they should be fed tiny amounts of food twice a day. They are careful, sometimes hesitant feeders that prefer to pick food out of the middle of the water column as it slowly sinks. Care must be taken to ensure food reaches them if they are hiding among the plants.
- Bioload
- Low
- The Celestial Pearl Danio produces a negligible bioload due to its tiny size, making it an excellent candidate for nano tanks. However, because they are somewhat sensitive to water quality fluctuations, the aquarium must still have a fully cycled and mature filtration system. Routine, small water changes are essential to keep nitrates low.
- Flow
- Moderate
- They originate from shallow, densely vegetated ponds and slow-moving streams in Myanmar. They strongly prefer gentle, sluggish water flow in the aquarium; strong currents will quickly exhaust and stress them. A sponge filter or a baffled hang-on-back filter provides the perfect amount of gentle circulation.
- Jump risk
- Yes
- Like many small cyprinids, they possess a moderate jump risk when startled. Sudden changes in lighting, vibrations, or being chased by a dominant male can cause them to dart upwards. A tight-fitting lid or a thick cover of floating plants is recommended to prevent accidental escapes.
- Reproduction
- Egg scatterer
- They are continuous egg scatterers that are relatively easy to breed in a dedicated setup. Females will lay a few non-adhesive eggs daily among dense vegetation like Java moss. The parents are prone to eating the eggs and fry, so separating the adults from the spawning site after a few days is necessary.
- Compatibility & tankmates
- Community
- The cohabitation profile is suitable for a compatible community, with a generally peaceful temperament. Keep at least 8 individuals; tankmates, stocking density and decor must allow escape, rest and feeding without excessive competition. Watch interactions especially during feeding, maturity and breeding. Persistent chasing, injury or exclusion from food requires a change in stocking or layout, or separation of the animals.
- Tank level
- Middle
- They predominantly occupy the lower and middle levels of the aquarium, rarely coming to the absolute surface. They are inherently shy and require a densely planted tank with plenty of hiding spots to feel secure. When comfortable, males will confidently display in the open spaces between plants.
Scientific Parameters & Models
FishBase
Window to the official scientific data of the species
FishBase v25.04Data synced on: 06/15/2026
- Trophic level
- 3 ± 0.4 se
- Resilience
- High (less than 15 months)
- Phylogenetic uniqueness (PD50)
- 0.5
- Bayesian Length-Weight
- a = 0.00589, b = 3.12
- VulnerabilityLow vulnerability (10 / 100)
Related species
Recommendations grouped by close relatives, companion choices, and similar care.
