A highly active, schooling cyprinid native to the clear, flowing streams of Southeast Asia. Known for their iridescent, pearlescent bodies that shimmer under aquarium lighting with hints of blue, pink, and orange. They are very hardy but require significant horizontal swimming space and a tight-fitting lid due to their notorious jumping ability.
Pearl Danio At a Glance
Pearl Danio Tank Requirements
Will Pearl Danio fit in your tank?
Care guides tell you what Pearl Danio needs, the next question is whether your tank can safely provide it. Test Pearl Danio against your tank size, maintenance needs, and the fish you already keep before you buy.
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Pearl Danio Water Parameters
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Pearl Danio Temperament & Compatibility
Pearl Danio Varieties
Each variety inherits the species defaults above. Only differences are highlighted.
Standard
The standard Pearl Danio. Best kept in groups of 6 or more to reduce stress and display natural schooling behavior. Because of their hyperactive nature, they can inadvertently outcompete slow, shy fish during feeding time.
Same care requirements as the base species
Also known as: Wild Type
Pearl Danio Care Guide Summary
The Pearl Danio, scientifically known as Danio albolineatus, belongs to the Cyprinids family group. Adults reach a maximum size of approximately 6.5 cm and have a fusiform body shape with a moderate growth rate. Classified as peaceful, this species primarily occupies the surface and mid-level zones of the aquarium and produces a low level of biological waste.
To thrive, the Pearl Danio requires a freshwater only aquarium with a minimum volume of 75 litres and a tank length of at least 80 cm. Water temperature should be maintained between 20°C and 26°C, with a pH range of 6–8 and a general hardness of 2–15 dGH. A moderate water flow is preferred.
The Pearl Danio is a rewarding species to keep, provided its core environmental needs are met. The Pearl Danio is typically available in one standard form.
Pearl Danio Habitat Setup
When setting up an aquarium for the Pearl Danio, a moderate water flow best suits their natural preferences. Because this species occupies the surface and mid-level zones, the aquarium layout should prioritise adequate surface area with floating cover to make them feel secure near the waterline and open swimming space in the centre of the tank for free movement. Useful additions include dense planting to provide cover, break sightlines, and reduce stress. Keepers should note that a tight-fitting lid is essential, as this species is a known jumper.
Pearl Danio Compatibility Notes
Classified as peaceful, the Pearl Danio is a schooling species that feels most secure in a sizeable group, where natural shoaling behaviour reduces stress and brings out their best colours. When choosing tankmates, shy or slow-feeding tankmates may be outcompeted at feeding time and their energetic swimming style may stress more sedentary or timid species. Selecting tankmates that favour different water layers from the surface and mid-level zones can help reduce competition and territorial overlap.
Pearl Danio Recommended Tank Sizes
Standard aquarium sizes that meet the minimum volume and length requirements for Pearl Danio.
30 Gallon Breeder
40 Gallon Breeder
55 Gallon Standard
60 Gallon Breeder
75 Gallon Standard
90 Gallon Standard
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Frequently Asked Questions About Pearl Danio
How big does Pearl Danio get?
Pearl Danio (Danio albolineatus) typically reaches a maximum adult size of approximately 6.5 cm. They have a fusiform body shape and a moderate growth rate.
What tank size does Pearl Danio need?
A minimum aquarium volume of 75 litres and a tank length of at least 80 cm are recommended for Pearl Danio. This ensures enough swimming space and helps maintain stable water conditions.
What water parameters does Pearl Danio need?
Pearl Danio thrives in freshwater only conditions with a temperature range of 20–26°C, a pH between 6 and 8, and a general hardness of 2–15 dGH. A moderate water flow is preferred.
Is Pearl Danio peaceful or aggressive?
Pearl Danio is classified as peaceful with an aggression score of 1 out of 10. They are generally well-suited to peaceful community tanks.
How many Pearl Danio should be kept together?
Pearl Danio is a schooling species and should be kept in groups of at least 6. Larger groups help distribute aggression and encourage natural schooling behaviour.
Does Pearl Danio have any special tank requirements?
Yes. Pearl Danio benefits from plants - densely covered in the aquarium. These features help replicate their natural habitat and promote overall health and well-being.
Does Pearl Danio need a lid on the tank?
Yes. Pearl Danio is a known jumper, and a tight-fitting lid or cover is essential to prevent escape. Even a small gap can be enough for a determined fish to leap out.
Top Tank Mates for Pearl Danio
These fish are strong compatibility matches for Pearl Danio based on water preferences, temperament, adult size, and tank behavior.
Pacific Sturgeon
Acipenser transmontanus
Ideal Tank MatesHillstream Loach
Beaufortia leveretti
Ideal Tank MatesSchwartz's Cory
Corydoras schwartzi
Ideal Tank MatesLeopard Cory
Corydoras leopardus
Ideal Tank MatesHi Fin Peppered Cory
Scleromystax macropterus
Ideal Tank MatesGold Laser Cory
Corydoras sp. 'CW010'
Ideal Tank MatesPlants That Suit Pearl Danio
These plants pair well with Pearl Danio based on shared water preferences, layout fit, and how likely they are to hold up in the same aquarium.
Afzel's Anubias
Anubias afzelii
Amazon Sword
Echinodorus amazonicus
Anacharis
Egeria densa
Anubias Barteri
Anubias barteri
Baby Tears
Lindernia rotundifolia
Balansae
Cryptocoryne crispatula
Fish Similar to Pearl Danio
Zebra Danio
Danio rerio
One of the most robust and active aquarium fish available. Native to South Asia, they are a model organism in science due to their genetics. They are extremely active top-level swimmers that must be kept in schools to prevent stress and fin-nipping. They prefer cooler, oxygen-rich water with a current.
Giant Danio
Devario aequipinnatus
The Giant Danio is a robust, incredibly active schooling fish native to fast-flowing streams in South Asia. Known for their striking blue and gold horizontal stripes, they are constantly in motion and require long tanks with strong water flow. Due to their boisterous nature, they make excellent 'dither fish' for mild-mannered cichlids but should not be kept with slow, shy, or long-finned species as they will easily outcompete them for food.
Celestial Pearl Danio (Galaxy Rasbora)
Danio margaritatus
A breathtaking nano fish native to small, vegetated ponds in Myanmar. They feature a midnight blue body covered in pearlescent spots with striking red and black striped fins. CPDs are notoriously shy and require heavily planted aquariums to feel secure. Males will constantly display and mock-spar with each other, so a larger group is essential to disperse this behavior.
Emerald Dwarf Danio
Danio erythromicron
An exquisite, tiny cyprinid endemic to Lake Inle in Myanmar. Known for their striking emerald vertical bands and reddish-orange fins. Because they originate from a slightly alkaline mountain lake, they prefer cooler, harder water than many tropical fish. They are notoriously shy and must be kept in schools in heavily planted tanks with broken sightlines to feel secure.
Glowlight Danio
Danio choprae
A strikingly colorful and hyperactive nano fish native to the Irrawaddy River drainage in Myanmar. Named for its glowing orange/red horizontal bands and vertical barring. Despite their small size, they are incredibly fast, dynamic swimmers that require a long aquarium with ample swimming space. They must be kept in large schools and are notorious jumpers, so a tight-fitting lid is mandatory.
Axelrod's Rainbowfish
Chilatherina axelrodi
A highly active, colorful schooling fish native to Papua New Guinea. Known for a bluish-grey upper body and yellowish-white lower body divided by a dark lateral stripe. Like most rainbowfish, they are incredibly fast, active swimmers that require pristine water, moderate flow, and significant horizontal swimming space.