Scarlet Badis

The scarlet badis (Dario dario) is a tiny fish from clear, weedy streams in West Bengal and Assam, and it behaves more like a miniature cichlid than a nano tetra. Males are red-orange crossed by vertical blue-white bars, with blue in the fins, and they hold small territories which they defend by flaring at each other. Females are plain grey-brown and much less often sold. It moves in short deliberate hops rather than swimming continuously.

Aquarium care

• Reaches about 2 cm.
• Males are territorial with one another; give each one cover to claim.
• Wants a densely planted tank with fine-leaved plants, moss and gentle flow.
• Often refuses dry food. Frozen and live foods such as cyclops, daphnia and baby brine shrimp are usually needed.
• Feeds in the lower and middle levels.
• Slow and deliberate; fast tankmates take its food.

Best in a small planted species tank or with very calm nano fish. It will hunt baby shrimp, so it is not a good match for a shrimp breeding tank.

Stock rotates with each shipment, and livestock is sold for local pickup at our Lethbridge store. See more in assorted and interesting.