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, glassworms, 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 cover 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.
Care
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Aggressive
Colour Form: Red, Black
Diet: Omnivore
Max Size: 2cm
Tank Size: 90L
Temperature: 19-26c
pH: 6.5-8.0
*Product Photo is for reference only.
