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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.
Pearl
Danios
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.