Description
🐟 Blue Badis
📌 Basic Info
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Scientific Name: Badis badis
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Family: Badidae (not true cichlids)
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Origin: India, Nepal, Bangladesh (slow rivers & streams)
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Size: 2 – 3 inches (5 – 7.5 cm)
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Lifespan: 4 – 6 years
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Tank Zone: Mid to Bottom
🌊 Water Parameters
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TDS: 100 – 250 ppm
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pH: 6.5 – 7.5
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Temperature: 22 – 28°C (72 – 82°F)
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Hardness: 5 – 12 dGH
🐟 Characteristics
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Known as the “Chameleon Fish” because it can change colors depending on mood and environment.
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Body is usually blue with black stripes, males are more colorful.
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Peaceful but males can be territorial.
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Shy, prefers lots of hiding spots and plants.
🍽️ Food
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Type: Carnivorous (micro-predator)
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Diet: Live/frozen foods (bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia, mosquito larvae).
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Rarely accepts dry pellets or flakes.
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Feeding: 1–2 times daily in small amounts.
🛠️ Maintenance
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Tank Size: Minimum 20 gallons for a pair or small group.
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Filtration: Gentle – avoid strong currents.
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Decor: Rocks, driftwood, caves, and dense plants for hiding.
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Water Change: 20–30% weekly.
👥 Social Behavior
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Minimum Group Size: Best kept in pairs or harems (1 male + 2–3 females).
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Tank Mates: Peaceful community fish like rasboras, tetras, gouramis, shrimp, and otocinclus.
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Avoid: Aggressive fish or very fast eaters (Blue Badis are slow, shy feeders).
✅ Do’s
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Provide plenty of plants and caves.
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Feed with live/frozen foods.
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Keep in peaceful community setups.
❌ Don’ts
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Don’t keep with aggressive/large fish.
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Don’t overcrowd males – they will fight.
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Don’t rely only on flakes/pellets.
⭐ Quick Tips
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Blue Badis are beautiful, peaceful nano fish.
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Their color-changing ability makes them unique.
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Great for planted or community aquariums with calm tank mates.
