Celestial pearl danios with shrimp

By the Shrimp Tank Hub editorsUpdated Oct 25, 2026Research-based

The celestial pearl danio (Danio margaritatus), also sold as the galaxy rasbora, is a tiny spotted cyprinid from the Salween drainage in Shan State, eastern Myanmar. Seriously Fish says it was first marketed in 2006 and grows to about 21 mm (0.8 in); Aquarium Co-Op says up to 1 inch. Its size and love of planted tanks make it a common nano-tank pick, but it is a more active hunter of shrimplets than its size suggests.

Celestial pearl danio at a glance

Will celestial pearl danios eat shrimp?

• Adults: usually no. At under an inch, CPDs are too small to eat adult cherry shrimp.
• Shrimplets: yes. Aquarium Co-Op says people have had varied results with cherry shrimp and that you should add plenty of hiding spots and expect CPDs to prey on any baby shrimp they find. Their favorite foods are baby brine shrimp, cyclops and daphnia, which are about the size of a newborn shrimp.
• Behavior: Practical Fishkeeping lists small danios among fish you can keep with shrimp if you reduce losses with plants, hiding places and well-fed fish, and notes that shrimp may hide more and breed less with any fish present.

In practice, a colony can keep growing if the tank is thick with moss and plants, but it grows more slowly. CPDs hunt more actively in the open water than pygmy corydoras do, and the trade-off is similar to ember tetras and chili rasboras. See cherry shrimp tank mates for gentler options.

Matching the water

This is where CPDs shine for Neocaridina: they come from clear, neutral, moderately hard water, close to what cherry shrimp like.

The shared zone is our comparison of the published ranges, not a tested target. For soft-water Caridina such as crystal red shrimp at pH below 7 and very low GH, CPDs are a weaker match. See shrimp water parameters and shrimp tank temperature.

Tank size and setup

• Size: Seriously Fish wouldn't keep a group in less than an 18 × 12 in base (about 11 gallons) because dominant males can be combative. Aquarium Co-Op suggests 10 gallons, or 20 for a school of 10 to 15. See how many shrimp per gallon.
• Dense plants: their wild pools are shallow and thickly vegetated (Seriously Fish). Dense planting also breaks up sight lines between sparring males and shelters shrimplets; see best plants for a shrimp tank and java moss.
• Gentle filtration: a sponge filter or a prefiltered intake suits both; see shrimp-safe filters.
• Clear water: Seriously Fish describes their habitat as clear rather than tannin-stained, so heavy leaf litter is optional.

Feeding both

• Tiny foods: Aquarium Co-Op suggests tiny, slow-sinking foods in the water column: crushed flakes, small fish foods, baby brine shrimp, frozen cyclops and daphnia, and micro worms.
• Shy feeders: Seriously Fish says CPDs are easily outcompeted by bigger or boisterous fish, which is another reason to keep them with shrimp and other nano species.
• Feed the shrimp on the bottom: sinking shrimp food lands below where the fish feed; see best shrimp food.

How to add celestial pearl danios to a shrimp tank

• Shrimp first. Practical Fishkeeping suggests letting the colony build up before adding fish.
• Mature tank: fully cycled and stable; see how to cycle a shrimp tank.
• Quarantine the fish separately. Fish medications can kill shrimp; see how to quarantine.
• Add a large group at once so male sparring is spread out; Seriously Fish says bigger groups are bolder and more colorful.

Breeding: fish and shrimp in the same tank

CPDs are egg scatterers with no parental care. Aquarium Co-Op says well-fed females may spawn almost daily in moss or a spawning mop, the adults eat their own eggs, and the eggs hatch in about a week when moved to a separate tank. Seriously Fish says a few fry may appear on their own in a dense, mature tank. Your shrimp will breed too, but expect fewer shrimplets to survive; see baby shrimp care.

Common mistakes

• Keeping only a few, which concentrates male aggression and keeps them hiding.
• Expecting a shrimp colony to boom with hunting fish present.
• A sparse tank with no moss or dense plants.
• Pairing them with soft, acidic Caridina water.
• Medicating fish in the shrimp tank.

Track it

Log temperature, pH, GH and TDS on the free Water Parameter Log printable so you can keep the tank in the range both species share.

Frequently asked questions

Can celestial pearl danios live with cherry shrimp?

Yes, with a trade-off. Adults leave adult shrimp alone, but Aquarium Co-Op says to expect CPDs to prey on any baby shrimp they find. Results vary.

Will celestial pearl danios eat baby shrimp?

Yes. Shrimplets are about the size of their favorite live foods. Thick moss and dense plants let enough babies survive for a colony to keep growing, slowly.

How many celestial pearl danios should I keep?

At least 10 to 15 (Aquarium Co-Op), ideally 20 or more (Seriously Fish). Bigger groups spread out male sparring.

What size tank do CPDs and shrimp need?

At least 10 gallons, and 20 for a school of 10 to 15 (Aquarium Co-Op). Seriously Fish suggests at least an 18 × 12 in base.

What water works for both?

About 72 to 76 °F, pH 6.6 to 7.5 and GH 5 to 8. That suits cherry shrimp well and is a weaker match for soft-water Caridina.

Are celestial pearl danios the same as galaxy rasboras?

Yes. Galaxy rasbora was the name it was first marketed under in 2006. It is a danio, Danio margaritatus.

Should I add CPDs or shrimp first?

Shrimp first, in a cycled, mature tank, so the colony is established before the fish arrive (Practical Fishkeeping).

Sources: Seriously Fish, Danio margaritatus (celestial pearl danio) (Danio margaritatus; Salween drainage, Shan State, eastern Myanmar and northern Thailand; first marketed 2006 as Galaxy Rasbora; shallow, clear, densely vegetated wetland; 21 mm SL; base at least 45 × 30 cm, about 11 US gal, due to combative dominant males; 20–26 °C, pH 6.5–7.5, 5–15 dGH; shy, outcompeted by larger fish; shoaling, males spar; group ideally 20 or more; egg scatterer, fry may appear in dense mature tanks); Aquarium Co-Op, Care guide for celestial pearl danios (up to 1 in; 10 gallons, 20 for 10–15 fish; thrive at 72–76 °F; pH 6.6–8.0, soft to moderate GH; varied results with cherry shrimp, expect CPDs to prey on baby shrimp; tiny slow-sinking foods; spawn in moss or mops, adults eat eggs, hatch within a week); Practical Fishkeeping, What can I keep with shrimp? (small danios an option; reduce losses with plants, hiding places and well-fed fish; shrimp first). Cherry shrimp ranges from our cherry shrimp care guide (The Shrimp Farm). Checked October 25, 2026.