DANIO PEARL 3.5CM

Brachydanio albolineatus (Pearl Danio): Known for its iridescent, mother-of-pearl, bluish-silver body, often featuring soft golden-tan or coppery tones on the back and head, alongside faint or diffuse lateral stripes (typically light yellow, white, or pinkish-orange).

The Pearl Danio is a peaceful, hardy species well-suited to community tanks. Native to the slow-moving rivers and streams of Burma, Sumatra, and Thailand. They use the middle and upper water and need open swimming room for their active swimming behaviour.

TANK SET UP:

• Length matters more than height.

• Use gravel or mixed rock, driftwood, and plants such as Java Moss, Anubias, and Cryptocoryne, which can provide cover and resting spots for the fish, while floating plants help diffuse light, mimicking their natural habitat.

• A tight lid is required — they jump through small gaps.

NOTE: Danios are generally peaceful but can become nippy if not kept in a large enough school.

TANK MATE: They can be kept with other peaceful fish such as Harlequin Rasbora, Neon Tetras, Zebra Danio, peaceful loaches, and Corydoras Catfish.

AVOID: Housing them with large or aggressive species that may see them as food—long-finned bettas, slow guppies, and anything that cannot handle their speed at feeding time.

They are schooling fish, so keep them in groups of at least 6 to promote social behaviour and reduce stress. This creates a more natural environment. They do not tolerate warm water well.

BREEDING: Pearl Danios are egg scatterers. Add fine-leaved plants such as Java Fern or spawning mops to provide a spawning site. They often spawn in groups rather than pairs, so adding twice as many males as females can encourage this behaviour.

FILTRATION: Moderate current is fine. Avoid a strong torrent.

MAINTENANCE: In a stable Sydney house, they often don’t need a heater except in winter. In summer, keep the tank out of direct sun so it does not sit above 26°C for long stretches.

Weekly 20% water changes.

FEEDING: Quality flake or small granules as the staple, plus frozen or live daphnia, brine shrimp, and bloodworm a few times a week.

They feed through the water column and at the surface. Feeding them 2-3 times a day in small portions will ensure they receive adequate nutrition