Pearl danio or Brachydanio albolineatus are members of the family Cyprinidae. Other members of this family include tiger barbs, koi, goldfish and freshwater sharks. Pearl danios are native to Sumatra, Burma and Thailand. They inhabit clear watered rivers and hill streams.
Pearl Danio received their name because of their iridescent bodies. They shimmer like a pearl, especially under bright aquarium light. They come in various colors including pink, silver, brownish-yellow and striped. There is also a variety marketed as golden danio. These are actually semi-albinos.
Danios are peaceful, schooling fish that make for good community fish. It should be explained that schooling fish are a type of shoaling fish. Shoaling fish live in a community with other members of their species. Schooling fish not only ban together but also swim in the same direction. In either case, you should add a minimum of four to your fish tank. Social fish were not intended to live a solitary existence. Danios swim at all levels of the aquarium.
Pearls are an extremely hardy fish. They would make the perfect choice for a beginning aquarist. Because they are schooling fish and should be kept in a group, a minimum tank size of 20 gallons is recommended if you intend to have a community tank. If you plan having a mono-species tank can get away with a smaller aquarium. In their natural habitat they are accustomed to the moving water of streams and rivers. A high capacity filter will mimic this movement adequately. And on a final note: Pearls are jumpers. They should only be kept in a lidded aquarium. Follow these rules as a newbie aquarium owner and you are sure to have healthy, happy fish.
These fish are native to tropical climates and thrive in neutral water. Acceptable pH levels are 6.8-7.2. Water temperature should range from 68-78 °F. They will grow to 2.5 inches in length and have an average life span of 5 years but have been reported to live as long as 10.
Pearls are omnivorous. They can survive just fine on common variety tropical fish flakes.
Male and females are similar in appearance. Males tend to be a little more colorful and female bodies slightly more rounded. Body fullness is accentuated if the female is carrying eggs.
Breeding Pearl Danio
If you wish to spawn danios and are unable to sex the, place the entire group in a breeding tank with an abundance of fine-leafed plants.
Danios are egg layers. They scatter their eggs. Most egg-scatterers will eat their own eggs if given a chance. The purpose of the plants is to capture the eggs. Another handy trick is to put a layer of marbles on the bottom of the breeding tank. The eggs that are not captured by the plants will sink down to the bottom falling between the marbles. This will prevent the adults from getting to them. Once spawning is complete, the adults should be removed from the tank.
Fry will hatch in 36-40 hours. After they become free swimming they can be fed infusoria or liquid fry food. There are both liquid and powdered fry foods formulated specifically for egg layers. In about a week change their diet to newly hatched brine shrimp, powdered fry food, or powdered eggs.
