Pearl Danio

Looks how to spot one

Slender, torpedo-shaped cyprinid

A slim, fast fish with a softly iridescent body that can look pinkish, silvery or brownish yellow depending on origin and light. Two pale stripes run from under the dorsal fin to the tail, sometimes edged with blue or red. Females are a little larger, rounder and less colourful, and have two pairs of barbels. Golden forms seen in shops are partly albino.132

Personality what they are like

Friendly and peaceful, always on the move. It gets along well with a wide range of community fish.1

Daily activity how busy a day looks

A fast, energetic swimmer that uses the full length of the tank and enjoys some current. It jumps well, so a tight cover is needed.1

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Easygoing to care for. Give a long tank, steady water quality and a lid without gaps.1

Home where they are happiest

Tolerates a wide range: about 16 to 25 C, pH roughly 6.0 to 8.0 and hardness 1 to 20 dGH. A base of at least 90 x 30 cm (about 80 litres). Wild fish live in clear, oxygen rich hill streams as well as ponds, ditches and rice fields.12

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Mostly eats insects and zooplankton in the wild. Takes dry foods readily, best supplemented with bloodworm, Daphnia and brine shrimp.123

Company who they like around

A schooling fish best kept in a group of 8 to 10 or more. Good with other small cyprinids, tetras and livebearers.1

The story where it all began

Described by Blyth in 1860 from the Tenasserim region of Myanmar. It has carried several names over the years, and some related fish once grouped with it are now treated as separate species. It has long been a favourite, easy to breed aquarium fish.13

Recognised by the official bits

IUCN Red List

Least Concern (assessed March 2011)2

FishBase

Highly commercial in the aquarium trade2