Pearl danio
Danio albolineatus
easy careOverview
The pearl danio (Danio albolineatus) is the understated beauty of the danio group — plain at a glance, but under good light its flanks shimmer with a pearly pink-and-blue iridescence. Slightly larger and just as hardy as the zebra danio, it is an active, peaceful shoaling fish that suits a beginner who has a tank with room to swim. Give it numbers and length and it rewards you with constant, glittering movement.
Tank & water
Pearl danios are fast, restless swimmers, so prioritise a long tank of at least 60 litres (15 gallons) for a shoal of six.
- Temperature: 20–26 °C; a heater set low holds it steady, though they tolerate the cooler end well.
- Water: adaptable, pH 6.5–7.5; stable, dechlorinated water is what counts.
- Filtration: they appreciate some flow, so standard filter current suits them.
- A lid: like all danios they jump, so keep the tank covered.
Feeding
An easy omnivore, the pearl danio eats a wide range of foods. Use a quality flake or micro-pellet as the staple and add frozen or live treats — daphnia, bloodworm, brine shrimp — for colour and condition. They feed quickly near the surface, so make sure slower or bottom-dwelling tankmates also get fed. Small amounts once or twice a day are plenty.
Tankmates
Peaceful but lively, pearl danios pair best with other active, robust community fish: zebra danios, larger rasboras, barbs, corydoras and similar fast swimmers. Avoid slow or long-finned fish such as bettas and fancy guppies, which may be nipped or out-competed.
Hardy, active and quietly gorgeous, the pearl danio is a fine, low-fuss choice for a cycled community — start with our beginner tank picks.
Pearl danio — frequently asked questions
How big do pearl danios get?
Around 5–6 cm, slightly larger than the zebra danio. They are active swimmers that need a tank with real length, so factor in their adult size and energy rather than the small fish you see in the shop.
Are pearl danios peaceful?
Yes, but energetic. Like other danios they can nip fins if kept in too small a group or with slow, long-finned tankmates. A shoal of six or more in a long tank keeps their behaviour calm and natural.
Do pearl danios need a heater?
They are fairly cool-tolerant and comfortable from about 20–26 °C, so a heater set low keeps them stable in most rooms. Like zebra danios, they cope better than most tropicals with cooler water, but avoid sudden swings.
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