Pearl Danio

Danio albolineatus

Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii›Cyprinidae

📍 Myanmar & Northeast India

Pearl danios have an iridescent, pearlescent sheen with subtle pink-orange highlights along the flanks. They are extremely hardy, cold-tolerant, and make excellent dither fish for livebearers and other community species. Fast and peaceful.

Size2.5"

Min Tank15g

School6+

peaceful

Zonetop

Care Guide

Diet

Pearl danios are omnivores that thrive on a varied diet of high-quality flake food, micro pellets, and regular supplements of live or frozen foods such as daphnia and brine shrimp. Feed small amounts once daily, offering only what they can consume in 2-3 minutes. Occasional vegetable matter like blanched spinach supports digestive health.

Behavior

Pearl danios are active, fast-swimming schooling fish that spend most of their time in the upper water column darting between plants and décor. They are peaceful and non-aggressive, making excellent dither fish that help shy species feel more confident. They are most active during dawn and dusk, displaying their iridescent sheen as they move.

Breeding

Breeding pearl danios in captivity is possible but requires patience and specific conditions. Provide a separate breeding tank with fine-leaved plants, slightly acidic water (pH 6.5), and temperatures around 24-26°C. Females scatter eggs among plants; remove adults after spawning as they may eat eggs. Fry are tiny and require infusoria or liquid fry food initially.

Tank Mates

Emerald Dwarf Rasbora

Similar size, peaceful temperament, and identical water parameter requirements make them ideal companions.

excellent

Glowlight Danio

Closely related danio species with matching behavior and water needs; school together harmoniously.

excellent

Otocinclus

Peaceful algae eater that occupies different water zones and has compatible temperature requirements.

good

Neon Tetra

Small, peaceful community fish with overlapping temperature ranges; avoid very small fry as danios may predate them.

good

Corydoras Duplicareus

Bottom-dwelling catfish that won't compete for space; prefers slightly cooler water but tolerates pearl danio conditions.

good

Gold Mystery Snail

Peaceful invertebrate that occupies different ecological niche; danios generally ignore snails.

good

Common Diseases

Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis)

Symptoms

White spots on body and fins, rapid breathing, flashing against décor, lethargy

Treatment

Raise temperature gradually to 28-30°C, perform daily 25% water changes, use aquarium salt (1 tsp per 5 gallons) or commercial ich treatment; maintain for 10-14 days.

Fin Rot

Symptoms

Frayed or disintegrating fin edges, white or black margins on fins, reduced activity

Treatment

Improve water quality with frequent water changes, remove sharp décor, treat with antibacterial medication or salt baths; ensure temperature stays in optimal range.

Bacterial Infection

Symptoms

Open sores, cloudy eyes, loss of appetite, color fading, torn fins

Treatment

Perform 50% water change immediately, treat with broad-spectrum antibiotic medication, isolate if severely affected, maintain pristine water conditions.

Velvet Disease (Oodinium)

Symptoms

Fine golden or rust-colored dust on body, rapid breathing, scratching behavior, lethargy

Treatment

Increase aeration, raise temperature to 28-30°C, perform daily water changes, use copper-free velvet treatment; darken tank as parasites are light-sensitive.