Fish
Pearl Danio
Danio albolineatus
Origin: The pearl danio inhabits streams and rivers of Southeast Asia — Myanmar, Thailand, Sumatra, and neighbouring areas. It prefers clear, flowing waters with soft, slightly acidic conditions, sand-and-gravel beds, and marginal vegetation.
Also known as: Danio albolineatus, Brachydanio albolineatus
Fact sheet
- Size
- 6 cm
- Lifespan
- 5 years
- Minimum tank size
- 60 L
- Temperature
- 20–26 °C
- pH
- 6.5–7.5
- Hardness GH
- 5–12 °dH
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Schooling
- Group size
- 6+ individuals
- Swimming zone
- Middle, Top
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Jumps out
- Yes
- Eats plants
- No
Overview
The pearl danio is an elegant schooling fish with a delicate iridescent pinkish sheen that glows under side lighting. Undemanding, hardy, and active, it is an excellent beginner's fish. Like other danios it keeps to the upper water layers and needs a shoal of at least 6–8. It is peaceful and sociable in a community tank. Its colour shows best in a well-lit aquarium with dark substrate and live plants.
Appearance
The body is slender and spindle-shaped, reaching 5–6 cm. The base is milky-pink with a pearly lustre; a bluish-gold stripe runs along the body, clearer toward the tail. The fins carry a soft pink-orange tint. A pair of barbels sits by the mouth. Males are brighter and slimmer; females are larger and fuller.
Care
An elongated tank of at least 60 L with a lid, as the fish jump. Temperature 20–26 °C, pH 6.5–7.5, hardness GH 5–12. Filtration with gentle current, aeration, and 25–30% weekly water changes are needed. Dark substrate and live plants along the sides highlight the pearly colour.
Feeding
An omnivore. It takes flakes and small pellets and relishes live or frozen daphnia, cyclops, brine shrimp, and small bloodworm. It picks food from the surface and midwater. Feed once or twice daily in small portions.
Compatibility
A peaceful schooling fish. Excellent with other danios, rasboras, tetras, corydoras, and small peaceful species. Its energy makes it unsuitable for slow or long-finned tankmates. Keep in shoals of at least 6–8.
Breeding
Breeding is easy. Place conditioned adults in a spawning tank with a protective mesh or fine-leaved plants and soft water at 25–27 °C. Eggs are scattered over the bottom; remove the parents after spawning. Fry hatch in 2–3 days; first foods are infusoria and brine shrimp nauplii.
Fun facts
The pearly pink sheen is best seen under side lighting, hence the name 'pearl danio'. The species readily hybridises with other danios. Like its relatives it is an excellent jumper, so keep the tank covered.