(F92) Red Badis [≈ 2cm ]

Description

Red Badis

📌 Basic Info

• Scientific Name: Dario dario

• Family: Badidae (not true cichlids, but similar in care)

• Origin: India (Brahmaputra River basin)

• Size: 0.8 – 1 inch (2 – 2.5 cm)

• Lifespan: 3 – 5 years

• Tank Zone: Mid to Bottom

🌊 Water Parameters

• TDS: 100 – 250 ppm

• pH: 6.5 – 7.5

• Temperature: 22 – 28°C (72 – 82°F)

• Hardness: 5 – 12 dGH

🐟 Characteristics

• Small, colorful fish with bright red body and blue vertical stripes.

• Males are more vibrant, females are duller and smaller.

• Peaceful but males can be territorial toward each other.

• Very shy – prefers densely planted aquariums.

🍽️ Food

• Type: Carnivorous (micro-predator)

• Diet: Live/frozen foods like daphnia, brine shrimp, mosquito larvae, micro-worms.

• Rarely accepts dry flakes or pellets – needs live/frozen foods.

• Feeding: Small meals 1–2 times daily.

🛠️ Maintenance

• Tank Size: Minimum 10 gallons for a small group.

• Filtration: Gentle – they dislike strong currents.

• Decor: Heavily planted tanks, caves, driftwood, and leaf litter.

• Water Change: 20–25% weekly with stable parameters.

👥 Social Behavior

• Minimum Group Size: Best kept in pairs or harems (1 male + 2–3 females).

• Tank Mates: Peaceful nano fish (rasboras, ember tetras, small shrimp, otocinclus).

• Avoid: Aggressive or fast-feeding fish – Red Badis are shy eaters.

✅ Do’s

• Provide heavily planted aquariums with hiding places.

• Offer live/frozen foods regularly.

• Keep in peaceful nano setups.

❌ Don’ts

• Don’t mix with big/aggressive fish.

• Don’t rely on dry food alone.

• Don’t overcrowd males – they become territorial.

⭐ Quick Tips

• Red Badis are tiny but stunning fish for nano aquariums.

• Males display beautiful red and blue colors, especially when courting.

• Perfect for aquarists who enjoy small, peaceful species with unique behavior.