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Danio margaritatus (Roberts, 2007)
Rasbora galaxy (OR) Celestial Pearl Danio
Picture by Ye Hein Htet (Hein Aquarium)
In the year 2007, the most exciting aquarium fish, popular among the hobbyists of the world, was discovered in Myanmar. The fish was popular with the common name," Galaxy" (OR) "Rasbora galaxy" and still this name is widely used in aquarium field although Tyson R. Roberts named "Celestial Pearl Danio". For the taxonomic status, this small and beautiful cyprinid fish, even quite similar with Danio erythromicron, Tyson Roberts erected the new genus, Celestichthys for the fish and named as, Celestichthys margaritatus. However, very recently (January, 2008) Kevin Conway, Wei—Jen Chen and Professor Richard Mayden of Saint Louis University, made more thorough research work and renamed as, Danio margaritatus. First of all hobbyists puzzled that the fish was only discovered in micro habitat, one of the small pond at Hopong township, in Southern Shan State. Actually the fish is widely distributed in drainages of east side and west side of the Than Lwin River not only in Myanmar, but also in Thailand.
Explanation of scientific name: The specific name "margritatus" means adorned with pearls.
Original description: Roberts, T. R. 2007, "The Celestial Pearl Danio, a New Genus and Species of Colorful Minute Cyprinid Fish from Myanmar." The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology 55(1): 131-140.
Type specimen: Celestichthys margritatus
Type locality: Heavily-vegetated pools near Hopong, 30 km east of Taunggyi, elevation 1040 m.
Distribution: East of Inle Lake, Southern Shan State, and North- eastern part of Thailand.
Habitats: Small pools with the depth 60- 90 cm, with some aquatic plants. The parameters of water of the pools are pH 7-7.8, conductivity 200-250 μS, and moderately hard. The temperature range 14- 30oC depending on the season.
Characters: The body of the fish is short and strongly compressed like Danio erythromicron. The dorsal and anal fins have convex margin. Caudal fin is moderately forked; both lobes are nearly equal and broadly rounded. The fish has round head, and short snout. The mouth of the fish is very small. The color of the most of the body is deep blue and numerous white, pearly pink iridescent spots are distributed all over the body. The maximum total length of the fish is 19 - 22 mm.
Sex differences: Males of the fish are deep midnight blue overall, with series of pinkish pearl spots over their flanks. Dorsal, anal, and caudal fins of the males have bright red stripes outlined in midnight blue. The ventral fins are red. The belly of the male is bright red color. The color of the females are not very bright as male. The ventral fins are clear.
Aquarium keeping: The beautiful fish can be kept in community tank, but their beauty is more prominent in the species tank. The minimum tank size should be 60 x 30 x 30 cm for keeping the fish. Thick plantation is essential for this fish . The quality of water is not very important as long as extremes are avoided. A pH about 7 or slightly above, and medium hardness is perfect. Foods for this tiny fish are finely crushed flakes, newly hatched brine shrimp, and other live foods such as daphinia, moina, and grindal worms.
Spawning: The size of the breeding tank is 30 x 20 x 20 cm. For the water quality, the pH 7 and conductivity 250 μS are applicable for breeding. For spawning medium, java moss or woolen spawning mops are used. The well conditioned females and males, two pairs, are placed in the tank. Wait and pay attention for the spawning activity of both male and female, and collect the spawning media as well as eggs to he separate tank. The eggs hatch 3-4 days and free swimming will be seen after 7 days. The paramecia is the best foods for the fry. One week feedig with paramecia is enough to size up the fry to eat newly hatched brine shrimp. From this stage onward, care of fry are not the difficult task.
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Myanmar Freshwater Fishes |
