Contents
Looking for a new fish to add to your aquarium? The celestial pearl danio (galaxy rasbora) may be the perfect choice! These little fish are beautiful and easy to care for, making them a popular choice for both beginner and experienced aquarists.
In this guide will provide you with all the information you need to care for these amazing creatures properly. We'll cover everything from their ideal tank conditions to the best food to feed them. So, whether you're just getting started with this fish species or are looking for ways to improve your current care regimen, read on for tips and advice that will help you create a healthy home for your celestial pearl danios!
What are celestial pearl danios and what do they look like?
Celestial pearl danios are a type of fresh water tropical fish that are native to Myanmar. They are a peaceful fish that school together both in captivity and in the wild in the fish's natural habitat. They are also known as galaxy rasboras or galaxy fish.
Celestial pearl danios are typically quite small with adult fish only growing to be about an inch long. They have small fins and a streamlined body shape. The fish's most distinguishing feature is its iridescent scales, which can range in colour from white to silver to blue.
They are named for their red bellies and bright, colourful flanks. The back is paler than the flanks and also stands out.Female fish in their reproductive years can be spotted by a black anal spot. This separates the color of their belly from the uniform red base of the anal fin. Meanwhile, males have a small black pad at the edges of their lower jaw - something that's either absent or greatly reduced in females. Immature fish show some indication of a striped pattern, which eventually decomposes into pearly dots.
Celestial pearl danios are popular fish for aquariums and small ponds because of their beautiful colours and peaceful nature.
What is the lifespan of a celestial pearl danio?
Galaxy rasboras are popular among aquarium enthusiasts due to their peaceful nature and relatively low maintenance requirements. In the wild, galaxy rasboras typically live for 3-5 years. However, in captivity, they can often live for much longer. With proper care, it is not uncommon for galaxy rasboras to live for 10 years or more. So if you're looking for a low-maintenance pet with a long lifespan, the galaxy rasbora might be the perfect choice for you.
How big do celestial pearl danios get?
Celestial pearl danios are relatively small fish, typically only growing to be about an inch long. However, they are hardy fish and can often tolerate a wide range of tank sizes.
As a general rule of thumb, you should expect your celestial pearl danio to grow about 1/2 an inch per year. So, if you have a 10 gallon tank, you should be able to comfortably house 10 adult fish.
Celestial pearl danio care guide:
Now that you know a little bit more about these amazing fish, it's time to start thinking about how to best take care of them. In this section, we'll go over everything you need to create a healthy and happy home for your celestial pearl danios.
Tank size and setup:
Ideally, your celestial pearl danio should be kept in a tank that is at least 10 gallons but also do well in nano tanks of 5 gallons and can be a great option for a single species nano tank.
However, if you are keeping a larger school of these fish, you will need a larger tank. As a general rule of thumb, you should expect your celestial pearl danio to grow about 1/2 an inch per year. So, if you have a 10 gallon tank, you should be able to comfortably house 10 adult fish.
When it comes to setting up your tank, there are a few things you'll need to take into consideration.
Firstly, you'll need to make sure that you have a good filter system in place. This is especially important if you plan on keeping a larger school of fish as they can produce a lot of waste.
Secondly, you'll need to create a substrate that is soft and sandy. This is because celestial pearl danios are bottom-dwelling fish and they prefer a substrate that won't damage their delicate fins.
Thirdly, you'll need to make sure that there are plenty of hiding places for your fish to feel safe and secure. This can be in the form of live aquatic plants, floating plants, caves, or even just some driftwood. Dense vegetation can also be beneficial as it will help to keep the water quality high.
Lastly, you'll need to make sure that the water is well-oxygenated. This can be achieved by using an air stone or powerhead to create some water movement in the tank.
Water parameters and quality:
Celestial pearl danios are very sensitive to water quality and parameters. This means that you'll need to be extra vigilant about testing your water and keeping it clean.
The ideal water temperature for celestial pearl danios is between 72-78 degrees Fahrenheit. The pH of the water should be between 6.5 and 7.5, and the hardness should be between 5-10 dGH.
It's also important to make sure that the water is well-oxygenated. This can be achieved by using an air stone or powerhead to create some water movement in the tank.
When it comes to filtration, you'll need to make sure that you have a good filter system in place.
What should you feed celestial pearl danios?
Celestial pearl danios are not picky eaters and will accept a wide variety of foods. In the wild, their diet consists mostly of small insects and zooplankton.
In captivity, they can be fed a variety of live, frozen, and flake foods. Some good options include bloodworms, baby brine shrimp, daphnia, and mysis shrimp. It's also a good idea to supplement their diet with some high-quality flake food or pellet food.
How often should you feed them?
As a general rule of thumb, you should feed your celestial pearl danios 2-3 times per day. However, it's always best to err on the side of caution and feed them a little less rather than a little more.
Overfeeding can lead to a build-up of toxins in the water, which can be harmful to your fish. It can also cause your fish to become obese, which can lead to a variety of health problems.
What are the best tank mates for celestial pearl danios?
Galaxy rasbora are peaceful schooling fish that do well with a variety of tank mates and considered a great option for a community tank. Some good options include other peaceful fish like neon tetras, harlequin rasboras, white cloud minnows, and guppies. You can also keep them with peaceful invertebrates like nerite snails and Amano shrimp.
You should try to avoid putting them in the same tank as aggressive fish as this can cause them a lot of stress.
How do you breed celestial pearl danios?
Celestial pearl danios are relatively easy to breed in captivity. However, there are a few things you'll need to take into consideration.
Firstly, you'll need to make sure that you have a well-established tank with plenty of hiding places for your fish.
Secondly, you'll need to make sure that the water quality is high and the parameters are within the ideal range.
Thirdly, you'll need to feed your fish a high-quality diet to ensure that they're in good health.
Fourthly, you'll need to make sure that you have a group of at least six fish. This is because celestial pearl danios are schooling fish and they prefer to breed in groups.
Once you have all of this sorted, you can start the breeding process by slowly raising the temperature of the water to 82 degrees Fahrenheit over the course of a week. You should also add some Indian almond leaves or other tannins to the water to make it more acidic.
Once the water is at the correct temperature and pH, you can start adding your fish to the tank. The males will start chasing the females around and trying to impress them with their flashy colours.
If a female is ready to breed, she will allow a male to chase her into a hiding place. The male will then wrap himself around the female and they will start to spawn.
Once they have finished spawning, you can remove the parents from the tank as they may eat their eggs.
The eggs will hatch after 24-48 hours and the fry will be free-swimming a few days later. At this point, you can start feeding them newly hatched brine shrimp or other small live foods.
In just a few months, your fry will start to develop their adult colours and they will be ready to be moved into their own tank.
Additional questions:
How many celestial pearl danios should be kept together?
Ideally, you should keep a group of at least 6 celestial pearl danios together. This will allow them to feel secure in their environment and will also give them plenty of opportunity to socialize with each other.
If you're keeping a larger school of fish, you'll need a larger tank. As a general rule of thumb, you should allow for 10 gallons of tank space per fish.
Are celestial pearl danios fin nippers?
No, celestial pearl danios are not fin nippers. However, they can sometimes be a little nippy with each other if they're not getting enough to eat. This is usually only a problem if you're keeping them in a too-small tank or if you're not feeding them enough.
If you're having problems with your fish nipping each other, you can try feeding them more often or increasing the amount of food you're giving them. You can also try adding more hiding places to the tank so that they have somewhere to retreat to if they're feeling stressed.
How fast do celestial pearl danios grow?
Celestial pearl danios usually reach their full size of just under 1 inch within 6-8 months. However, they can sometimes take up to a year to reach their full size. In their natural habitat , they often grow a little slower due to the cooler water temperatures.
Which diseases do celestial pearl danio get?
Celestial pearl danios are relatively resistant to disease. However, like all fish, they can sometimes succumb to illness if their environment is not well-maintained or if they're under a lot of stress.
The most common diseases that affect celestial pearl danios are Ich, velvet, fin rot and bacterial infections. These can usually be treated with a combination of medicated food and aquarium salt.
If you think your fish are sick, it's important to take them to a vet as soon as possible. This is because fish are very good at hiding their symptoms and by the time they're showing signs of illness, they're often quite sick.
It's also important you clean your fish tank regularly and keep an eye on your fish's behaviour. This way, you can spot any early signs of illness and treat it before it becomes a problem.
What do baby celestial pearl danios look like?
Baby celestial pearl danios look very similar to their adult counterparts. However, they're usually a little less colourful and their patterns are not as well-defined.
They also have a small transparent fin on their backs, which they lose as they grow older. This fin is used to help them balance in the water and gives them extra manoeuvrability.
Are galaxy rasbora good for fresh water ponds?
Outdoor freshwater ponds are not ideal for keeping galaxy rasbora as they need very specific water conditions to thrive. They also don't do well in cold water, so they're not suitable for most climates.
If you live in an area with a warm climate and your pond is big enough, you could try keeping them outdoors. However, they would be much happier and healthier if you kept them in an indoor aquarium.
Final thoughts
Celestial pearl danios are beautiful, peaceful fish that make a great addition to any community tank. They're easy to care for and breed, and they're also compatible with a wide variety of tank mates. If you're looking for a beautiful schooling