Microrasbora galaxy (Danio margaritatus)

The tiny fish known as Microrasbora galaxy, or Danio margaritatus, has won the hearts of aquarium enthusiasts all over the world. This species gives an energetic touch to any aquarium with its brilliant colors and detailed patterns.

The Microrasbora galaxy is native to small ponds in Myanmar and prefers calm, vegetated waters. It is a great option for community tanks, especially those with other small, non-aggressive species, due to its peaceful nature and small size.

It’s important to pay attention to these fish’s particular requirements, such as suitable water conditions, food, and tank mates, in order to keep them happy and healthy. The Microrasbora galaxy is a delightful addition to any collection, bringing beauty and tranquillity to your aquatic environment—regardless of your level of experience.

Habitat and habitat

It was believed that they were restricted to a single area in Shan State, eastern Myanmar, 1040 meters above sea level, close to the city of Hopong.

However, since then, they have been discovered in waterways connected to the Salween River, also known as Thanlwin, in the southern Shan and even further north in Thailand.

Originally from tiny lakes and dams with thick vegetation covering them. The area of flood meadows created in the spring by damming for agricultural purposes is the type of terrain.

The water is transparent, only 30 cm deep, and occasionally covered in dense thickets of aquatic plants, mostly belonging to the family Hydrocharitaceae, which includes species like Blyxa, Elodea, Egeria, and Anacharis.

Description

The fish are easily identified by their strikingly unusual color.

Numerous oval-shaped spots in shades of cream, gold, or red can be found all over the body. These spots can occasionally blend together to form tiny stripes.

The caudal fin has lobes and is moderately forked; the dorsal and anal fins are round, and the upper and lower fins are identically shaped and widely rounded. The body is primarily blue with white spots all over it. Unique to the genus, the fins have black veins and a reddish-orange coloration.

Size:

The largest fish to be officially registered is only 21 mm in size, making it a very small fish measuring about 2 cm.

Behavior and compatibility

Feels best in a big flock of its relatives in a heavily vegetated aquarium. The number of fish in the tank is determined by its volume; in a 20-liter aquarium, a school of fewer than 20–30 fish will be undetectable. You can keep several hundred of these fish in large aquariums.

Gets along well with small, calm fish of all kinds. Usually between males who are darker in color than the others, rivalry arises. They can pursue other students, but they won’t get into fights or get hurt.

Purchase as many as you can from 20 or more, as the fish are more active, less timid, more visible, and have better color when they are in this quantity.

Aquarium

Can be housed in aquariums of any size, ranging from enormous 300-liter aquariums to the smallest nano-aquariums.

Because dominant males can be aggressive, even though they are small, it is best to keep a group in an aquarium with basic dimensions of at least 45 * 30 cm.

It is necessary to have dense thickets of plants, some of which will float; this lessens timidity.

Water parameters:

Temperature range: 22–26°C pH range: 6.5 to 7.5 Durability: 2 to 10° dGH

Even though the fish dislike currents, filtration and aeration are still essential. Employ light filtration; an air sponge filter ought to be sufficient.

Feeding

They most likely eat algae, other zooplankton, and tiny invertebrates in the wild.

They will accept bloodworms, but they prefer small live food in an aquarium. Food of a dry quality is also permitted. Fish consume food at all depths of the water.

Adding live and frozen food items, like brine shrimp and daphnia, to the fish’s diet on a daily basis will enhance their coloring and encourage them to procreate.

Sexual Dimorphism

Males have intense red and black stripes on all but the pectoral fin, and a deep blue body color. Spots on the body are cream or pearly white in color. The overall color of the body intensifies during the spawning period, and the belly turns reddish.

Females’ blue-green body color is less noticeable, and their side spots are paler and do not extend to the front of the abdomen. They typically have a more rounded body shape and grow slightly larger than males.

Aquarium enthusiasts have come to love the calm and colorful Microrasbora galaxy, also called Danio margaritatus, due to its eye-catching appearance and colorful nature. This fish, which is native to Southeast Asia, requires little maintenance, which makes it a great option for aquarists of all skill levels. The lively behavior and shimmering pearl-like spots of the Microrasbora galaxy give a distinctive element to any freshwater aquarium.

Breeding

If the fish are healthy, they will spawn regularly, and in an established, heavily planted aquarium, a few fry might show up on their own.

But if you want to get more fry, you have to take a little more measured approach.

Breeding is not very difficult. Fish are ready to lay eggs by the age of 3 months. In the spawning tank, you need to add moss and small-leaved floating plants and start a pair or a small school of microrasbora. It is advisable to catch the fry, as the breeders eat them. A large number of floating small-leaved plants and live food reduces the amount of eggs eaten. It is strictly forbidden to introduce snails into the spawning tank, as they adore their eggs. The eggs are very tiny, incubation depends to some extent on the temperature, but usually takes about 72 hours, the fry begin to swim freely and feed after 3-4 days.

The fry is approximately 3–4 mm in size. They swim during the day and are affixed to the aquarium’s leaves or walls at night. Rotifers and infusoria are good starter foods, followed by Artemia nauplii. By 1.5 months of age, the fry reach 1.2 cm in length according to normal development. After three months, the fry grow to the size of an adult fish. Two months is when coloring first appears, and six months is when it is fully developed.

In ideal circumstances, one can expect to live for roughly three years.

With its vivid colors and energetic personality, the Microrasbora galaxy, also known as Danio margaritatus, is a fascinating addition to any aquarium. It’s a great option for community tanks due to its small size and calm nature.

These fish need clean water, a well-planted tank, and a diet rich in both dry and live foods in order to flourish. They can be a breathtaking focal point in your aquatic arrangement if given the proper care.

Creating a secure environment with lots of hiding places will help breeders of Microrasbora galaxy have a higher success rate. It can be satisfying to watch them in their native habitat in a well-kept aquarium.

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