“They’re ugly.” That’s the first thing Erica, my girlfriend, said about the small fish I had just added to our 20 gallon tank. They were young, so I half expected that reaction. I didn’t expect her to demand them to be removed from the tank! After some convincing (and a little begging) she allowed them to stay.
The fish were Danio Margaritatus, Celestial Pearl Danios (CPD’s), a recent and uncommon addition to the hobby. These fish instantly caught my attention. CPD’s max out at about 1″ in length and have a body size and shape reminiscent of the popular Neon Tetra. The body color is midnight blue/ black covered with pearly white “stars”. The fins edging the body are fiery orange-red with 1-2 black lines running horizontally across them.
Unlike other, more commonly seen danios, CPD’s are not boisterous and fast moving. You will often see them in a loose school, generally hanging around a plant thicket. Keeping them with other calm fish in a heavily planted tank will let them feel secure enough to roam around and flash their striking colors.
Breeding CPD’s is accomplished in the same manner as other danios. A small group should be placed in a tank with layer of large pebbles or marbles covering the bottom. Give them a large portion of java moss or similar plant for cover. After 5-7 days, remove the group. The eggs hatch in 72hrs. Spawns are generally much smaller than other danio species. They fry have been easy to raise, for me, on powdered prepared foods.
As for my display? Erica has been on me asking when I’ll be returning the fish from the breeding tank to the display! Seems these little fish caught her eye and heart as well. We’ve even purchased more to add to our little group. Most stores cannot show how truly amazing these fish can be and often get overlooked. Definitely give a group of these small fish a try if you are looking for something a little more
exotic without the fuss.