Galaxy Rasbora - Danio margaritatus

Galaxy Rasbora (Danio margaritatus)

The Galaxy Rasbora, Danio margaritatus, is a tiny but spectacular freshwater nano fish with a dark blue to charcoal body covered in pale pearl-like spots, plus bright orange-red fin markings in mature males. Also known as the Celestial Pearl Danio or CPD, this peaceful Myanmar species is ideal for mature planted aquariums, nano displays and calm community setups. It is small and shy rather than difficult, but it needs a proper group, gentle tank mates, stable water quality and plenty of plant cover to show its best colour and behaviour.

Common Name:
Galaxy Rasbora, Celestial Pearl Danio, CPD, Galaxy Danio, Fireworks Rasbora.

Scientific Name (Latin):
Danio margaritatus
Formerly known as Celestichthys margaritatus.

Maximum Size:
Usually around 2–2.5 cm.

Water Type:
Freshwater

Origin / Natural Habitat:
Native to Myanmar, where it was originally discovered in small, shallow spring-fed ponds and seepage areas with dense aquatic vegetation. These habitats are calm, clear and heavily planted rather than fast-flowing river environments.

Water Parameters:
Temperature: 20–25°C
pH Range: 6.5–7.5
Hardness or Salinity: Soft to moderately hard freshwater; stable, clean water is more important than chasing extremes.

Temperament:
Peaceful but shy. Galaxy Rasboras are best kept in groups and should be housed with calm, similarly sized tank mates. Males may display, flare fins and spar lightly with each other, but serious damage is uncommon when the group is large enough and the aquarium has plenty of cover.

Diet:
Omnivorous micro-feeder. Offer very fine flakes, micro pellets, powdered foods, frozen daphnia, cyclops, baby brineshrimp, microworms and other tiny live or frozen foods. Their mouths are small, so food size is important. Small live and frozen foods help improve colour, condition and breeding behaviour.

Minimum Tank Size:
A minimum of 40 litres is recommended for a small group, with 60 litres or more preferred for a larger shoal or mixed nano community. Although tiny, they do best in mature, stable aquariums rather than very small unstable setups.

Behaviour & Activity:
A small mid-to-lower level shoaling fish that spends much of its time moving between plants, mosses and open pockets of water. Keep at least 8–10 individuals, with larger groups preferred for confidence and natural behaviour. Males can be especially attractive when displaying, showing stronger fin colour and pearly body contrast. This species may scatter eggs among mosses, fine-leaved plants or spawning mops, and adults may eat eggs or fry if not separated.

Aquarium Category:
Community Fish
Suitable with peaceful nano fish such as tiny rasboras, small tetras, Ember Tetras, Pygmy Corydoras, Otocinclus, peaceful shrimp with caution, snails and other calm species that enjoy similar water conditions. Avoid large predators, aggressive cichlids, fin-nippers, boisterous danios and any fish large enough to swallow or intimidate them.

Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Best kept in a mature, heavily planted aquarium with mosses, fine-leaved plants, floating plants, wood and shaded areas. Avoid bright, bare aquariums, unstable new tanks and aggressive tank mates. Gentle filtration is preferred, but good water quality and oxygenation are still important. A secure lid is recommended, as small danios can jump when startled. Captive-bred stock is preferred where available.

Suitable for:
Beginner to intermediate fishkeepers

Availability:
Common to occasional in trade / Captive-bred where relevant

All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.