Celestial Pearl Danios, also known as Galaxy Rasboras, are a small, colorful fish that make a great addition to any freshwater aquarium. They are relatively easy to care for and are peaceful, making them a good choice for a community or species tank.
Tank Setup…
Celestial Pearl Danios prefer a well-planted tank with plenty of hiding places. They are not too picky about water parameters, but they do best in slightly acidic to neutral water (pH 6.5-7.5) with a temperature of 72-78°F (22-25°C).
In June of 2007 Mr. Tin Win of the Hein Aquarium in Myanmar conducted a survey and found the fish at five locations around Ho Pong. It was from this survey that I received these photos from Mr. Tin Win along with the water sample data.
Tin Win reports the water where these fish are found is crystal clear with a pH of 7.3 and the conductivity of 250 micro siemen. The pond bottom is covered with sand. The area is mostly grassland and rice paddies, so the ponds are open to the sun and filled with a rich variety of aquatic plants.
This area is a highland region, part of the Shan Plateau, with elevations reaching over 1000 meters (3280 feet) above sea level. Due to the elevation, Hopong enjoys a more moderate climate than the lowland areas of Myanmar. Temperatures are generally cooler, especially at night. Expect average temperatures to range from the mid-60s to the low 80s Fahrenheit (18-28°C). All this means that while CPD’s prefer cooler temperatures than many tropical fish, they can tolerate a bit of a range.
A 10-gallon tank is sufficient for a small school of these fish.