SCARLET BADIS

The Scarlet Badis is an exquisitely beautiful species that has all of the best qualities that one could seek in a “nano” fish!

The Scarlet Badis (Dario dario), also known as the Gem Badis, is a beautiful micro fish that hails from India. This rare fish displays brilliant red and blue vertical striping across its entire body. It is a somewhat timid fish, but it will become more bold and active in a heavily planted, well-decorated aquarium where it will feel secure. Males are the most colorful when competing for the attention of females, which are less colorful but still often have noticeable blue and red coloration.

The Scarlet Badis is a micropredator requiring a diet of meaty foods.  Many specimens will not accept dry flake and pellet foods (at least initially), so live and frozen foods should be regularly offered. In nature, this fish eats various small worms, small crustaceans, insects and insect larvae. In the aquarium, cyclops, glass worms, enriched Artemia, and Daphnia will make an excellent staple diet.  Bloodworms and Tubifex worms can be fed on occasion if no other appropriate foods are available, but should generally be avoided since they can lead to obesity problems and disease with badis species.

The aquarium of the Scarlet Badis should include plenty of plants, rockwork, and driftwood. Plenty of covers is necessary for this species and will ensure the most activity and least stress. This fish is a cave spawner, so it is also a good idea to shape some décor into cave-like structures. During spawning, the male will guard the eggs and newly-hatched fry, but any adults should be removed thereafter to avoid cannibalism of the fry by the parents.

The Scarlet Badis will thrive in a planted aquarium with relatively mild to moderate water flow and is generally peaceful with other species of fish. Though it is a micro predator, its small size makes it safe with virtually any fish or invertebrate that is too large to be considered prey. It can be housed with some invertebrates such as snails and larger shrimp, but it may eat the fry and juveniles of most Caridina and Neocaridina shrimp or any other small invertebrates that will fit in its mouth. The Scarlet Badis is somewhat timid compared to more boisterous fish, so it is necessary to make sure that this badis is not out-competed for food.  It may hybridize with other similar badis species.

What We Like About This Fish:

• Beautiful red and blue coloration
• Peaceful disposition with most fish and peaceful invertebrates too large to be considered prey
• Adaptable to a very wide temperature range
• Very active in middle and lower levels of the aquarium
• Will not bother plants

RECOMMENDED TANK PARAMETERS:

• Temperature:  64° – 77° F (18° – 26° C), though 68° – 75° F (20° – 24°) is best for long-term care.
• pH:  6.5 – 8.5
• KH:  2 – 6 dKH
• Minimum tank size:  20+ gallons for a group of 6 or more

CARE GUIDELINES: 

• Diet:  Micropredator. Live and frozen meaty foods, especially frozen foods such as cyclops, Daphnia and Artemia, Bloodworms, and Tubifex worms should generally be avoided. Dry foods will often be ignored, but some specimens may accept them eventually
• Social behavior:  Mostly peaceful, loosely schooling/shoaling in small groups. Adult males can be territorial with other males.
• Origin:  India
• Average adult size:  0.5 – 0.8 inch (1.2 – 2 cm)
• Average purchase size:  0.5 – 0.8 inch (1.2 – 2 cm)