Galaxy rasbora

The Galaxy Rasbora (or Celestial Pearl Danio) is one of the most sought-after freshwater fish for nano aquariums. Native to small, vegetation-rich ponds in Myanmar, it grows to only 2.5 cm (1 inch). It features a deep midnight-blue body covered in pearl-like white spots, contrasting sharply with bright red-orange fins. It is a peaceful but shy shoaling fish that thrives in heavily planted tanks with cooler water temperatures. It is an excellent choice for aquascapers looking for a “jewel” to finish their tank. Now In stock

Category: Fishes

Description

1. Origin & History

Scientific Name: Danio margaritatus (formerly Celestichthys margaritatus).
Discovery: Discovered in 2006 in the Hopong area east of Inle Lake, Myanmar.
Habitat: They live in shallow, permanent ponds created by spring water. These ponds are densely packed with aquatic plants, which is why they love planted tanks so much.

2. Appearance

The “Galaxy” Pattern: Their body color is a dark metallic blue, covered in small, iridescent white or cream spots that resemble stars in a galaxy.
Fins: The fins are a striking bright orange or red, traversed by two black horizontal stripes.
Sexual Dimorphism:
- Males: Slimmer, with a deep blue body and intense red fins.
- Females: Rounder (especially when full of eggs), with a duller blue-green background and paler orange fins.

3. Temperament & Behavior

Shyness: They are naturally skittish. If kept in a sparsely planted tank, you will rarely see them. They need dense plants to feel safe enough to come out.
Social Structure: They are not a tight schooling fish but a shoaling one. Males will stake out small territories and display their fins to rivals (sparring), which is entertaining to watch.
Group Size: Keep at least 6 to 10 individuals. The more you have, the more confident they will be.

4. Aquarium Care

Tank Size: Minimum 10 gallons.
Water Conditions:
- Temperature: They prefer cooler water, 20°C – 26°C (68°F – 78°F). High temperatures (above 27°C) shorten their lifespan.
- pH: 6.5 – 7.5.
Decor: A heavily planted tank is non-negotiable for them to thrive. Floating plants are also excellent for dimming the light and encouraging them to swim higher.

5. Diet

Micro-predators: In the wild, they eat tiny invertebrates.
Food: Because of their tiny mouths, they need micro-foods. Crushed high-quality flakes, baby brine shrimp, daphnia, and micro-pellets are best. They are somewhat shy eaters and may not compete well with aggressive feeders.

6. Tank Mates

Best Friends: They do best with other shy, nano fish like Chili Rasboras, Emerald Dwarf Rasboras, Pygmy Corydoras, and Neocaridina Shrimp (Cherry Shrimp).
Avoid: Angelfish, large Gouramis, or boisterous Danios that will out-compete them for food.