The Celestial Pearl Danio, sometimes sold as Galaxy Rasbora, is a tiny spotted fish with colourful fins. It thrives in a calm, densely planted aquarium where a sizeable group can show natural behaviour.

Overview

• Origin: Shan State, Myanmar, and nearby waters
• Adult size: Approximately 2 cm
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Swimming level: Middle

Aquarium and water conditions

• Minimum aquarium size: At least 41 litres for a group, with a base of at least 45 × 30 cm
• Temperature: 20–26°C
• pH: 6.5–7.5
• Water hardness: 5–15 dGH

Use dense plants and a dark substrate with broken sight lines and gentle filtration. Leave some open water between planted areas. Maintain stable water quality with regular partial changes.

Behaviour and compatibility

Keep a sizeable group, ideally with several females for each male; rival males may spar. Small, peaceful companions are suitable, but larger or boisterous fish can outcompete them for food. Avoid housing with the closely related Emerald Dwarf Rasbora where hybridisation is a concern.

Diet

Offer very small sinking or slow-sinking foods, with varied small frozen or live Daphnia and Artemia. They may ignore food that stays at the surface, so check that every fish is feeding.

Care notes

This species can be shy, so dense planting and a larger group help it settle. Watch dominant males for persistent chasing and provide enough visual cover.

Live Animals Are Click and Collect Only. You can order online and choose click and collect and we will hold it for you.

Photograph: Lerdsuwa, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.5; colour adjustment by Togabi.