Add a touch of the cosmos to your aquarium with the Galaxy Rasbora, also widely known as the Celestial Pearl Danio (CPD). One of the most stunning discoveries in the modern hobby, these tiny gems feature a deep midnight-blue body dusted with pearlescent "galaxy" spots and vivid scarlet fins with black banding. Whether you are a nano-tank enthusiast or a dedicated aquascaper, the Galaxy Rasbora is the ultimate centerpiece for a high-end freshwater display.

Quick Stats

• Scientific Name: Danio margaritatus (formerly Celestichthys margaritatus)

• Care Level: Easy to Intermediate

• Temperament: Peaceful but shy

• Lifespan: 3–5 years

• Max Size: 0.75 to 1 inch

Place of Origin

The Galaxy Rasbora was first discovered in 2006 in the high-altitude wetlands of Myanmar (Burma), specifically near Hopong east of Inle Lake. They naturally inhabit shallow, heavily vegetated ponds and spring-fed pools with crystal clear water.

Ideal Environment & Tank Size

Due to their diminutive size, Galaxy Rasboras are the gold standard for nano aquariums. A minimum tank size of 10 gallons is recommended to allow for a proper school.

• Substrate & Decor: They look most vibrant against a dark substrate. A heavily planted tank is essential; use dense greenery like Rotala, Vallisneria, and mosses to provide security. Floating plants can also help dim the light, making these shy fish feel more confident.

• Water Parameters: * Temperature: 68°F to 78°F (they prefer slightly cooler tropical waters)

  • pH: 6.5 – 7.5

  • Hardness: 5–12 dGH

Feeding & Diet

In the wild, Galaxy Rasboras are micro-predators. In the home aquarium, they are omnivorous but have very small mouths, so food size is critical.

• Primary Diet: High-quality crushed flakes, micro-pellets, or powdered specialty foods.

• Treats: They thrive when offered live or frozen baby brine shrimp, daphnia, and moina. Regular feedings of live foods will significantly enhance their red coloration.

Compatible Tank Mates

Galaxy Rasboras are peaceful but can be easily intimidated by large or fast-moving fish. They should be kept in groups of 6 to 10 or more to reduce shyness.

• Best Mates: Other peaceful nano fish like Chili Rasboras, Ember Tetras, Endlers, and Sparkling Gouramis. They are also excellent companions for freshwater shrimp (Neocaridina) and snails.

• Avoid: Large, aggressive species or boisterous tank mates like Tiger Barbs or large Cichlids that may outcompete them for food or view them as prey.

Breeding the Galaxy Rasbora

Breeding Celestial Pearl Danios is relatively straightforward for hobbyists.

1. Setup: Use a dedicated breeding tank with clumps of Java Moss or a spawning mop.

2. Spawning: They are egg-scatterers. Females will lay small batches of eggs daily among the plants.

3. Care: Galaxy Rasboras do not provide parental care and may eat their own eggs. It is best to move the adults out of the breeding tank once eggs are spotted.

4. Fry: The tiny fry hatch in 2–4 days and will require "infusoria" or liquid fry food until they are large enough for baby brine shrimp.

PLEASE READ BEFORE ORDERING

• The photos shown on fish product pages are representations of adult fish and are NOT the actual fish that you will be receiving. 
• Please visit our “Ordering/Shipping fish” page prior to checking out to familiarize yourself with our process.

• ⁃ We ship fish exclusively using overnight shipping with either FedEx or UPS. We will not ship fish with lesser expensive shipping services like “Ground” or “Priority Mail”. This is to ensure the safety of the fish.