Pearl danio

Behaviour and habits

The pearl danio is a hardy, shimmering shoaler with a pearly, rainbow sheen, and it is among the calmer, slower danios, though it still enjoys current and open swimming water. It uses the full length of the tank and, in a shoal of six or more, stays relaxed and active; a lone fish hides and loses condition. It is a good community fish that suits cooler water and a planted tank with some flow.

What to feed, and how often

Almost any small food suits it — flake, micro-pellet or frozen daphnia. Feed once or twice a day; being a fast surface feeder, it beats slower fish to the food, so make sure everyone in a mixed tank gets some.

Water changes and maintenance

Change 25% weekly, matched closely. It is tolerant of a wide range, including cooler water, but prefers a mature, well-filtered tank with some flow and clean, stable water.

Care and how easy it is

Very hardy and ideal for a beginner's tank, especially in cooler water where many tropical fish would struggle.

Common health problems

Robust; ich and fin rot appear mainly after a chill or in a neglected tank.

If it gets sick

Keep the water clean and the temperature steady, and treat the rare infection promptly.