(F92) Blue Badis [≈ 2+ cm]

Description

🐟 Blue Badis

📌 Basic Info

• Scientific Name: Badis badis

• Family: Badidae (not true cichlids)

• Origin: India, Nepal, Bangladesh (slow rivers & streams)

• Size: 2 – 3 inches (5 – 7.5 cm)

• Lifespan: 4 – 6 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

• Known as the “Chameleon Fish” because it can change colors depending on mood and environment.

• Body is usually blue with black stripes, males are more colorful.

• Peaceful but males can be territorial.

• Shy, prefers lots of hiding spots and plants.

🍽️ Food

• Type: Carnivorous (micro-predator)

• Diet: Live/frozen foods (bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia, mosquito larvae).

• Rarely accepts dry pellets or flakes.

• Feeding: 1–2 times daily in small amounts.

🛠️ Maintenance

• Tank Size: Minimum 20 gallons for a pair or small group.

• Filtration: Gentle – avoid strong currents.

• Decor: Rocks, driftwood, caves, and dense plants for hiding.

• Water Change: 20–30% weekly.

👥 Social Behavior

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

• Tank Mates: Peaceful community fish like rasboras, tetras, gouramis, shrimp, and otocinclus.

• Avoid: Aggressive fish or very fast eaters (Blue Badis are slow, shy feeders).

✅ Do’s

• Provide plenty of plants and caves.

• Feed with live/frozen foods.

• Keep in peaceful community setups.

❌ Don’ts

• Don’t keep with aggressive/large fish.

• Don’t overcrowd males – they will fight.

• Don’t rely only on flakes/pellets.

⭐ Quick Tips

• Blue Badis are beautiful, peaceful nano fish.

• Their color-changing ability makes them unique.

• Great for planted or community aquariums with calm tank mates.