Scarlet badis (Dario dario) care guide

Group
Freshwater fish
Other names
Scarlet gem badis, Badis bengalensis
Family
Badidae (chameleonfishes)
Origin
Tributaries of the Brahmaputra in West Bengal and Assam, India, possibly Bhutan; shallow clear streams over sand or gravel with dense plants.
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
2 cm
Temperature
18–26°C
pH
6.5–8.5
Hardness
Soft to fairly hard, 1–15 dGH
Minimum tank
40 litres
Care level
intermediate
Temperament
peaceful

Care

One of the smallest perch-like fish known, the scarlet badis is best kept as a single male with a few females, or a pair, in a tank with a base of at least 45 × 30 cm (about 40 litres). Several males can be kept only in a bigger, densely planted tank where each can hold a territory. A heavily planted tank with fine sand or gravel, some moss, leaf litter and small caves suits it. Lighting can be moderate. It is slow, shy and easily outcompeted at feeding time, so it does best in a quiet tank where you can make sure it gets food. Keep it at about 18–26 °C with pH 6.5–8.5 and soft to fairly hard water. Clean, stable conditions matter more than exact figures. Males are red with seven iridescent blue vertical bars and longer fins; females are smaller, plain silvery-brown and stumpier. It was long sold as Badis badis bengalensis or Badis bengalensis, names you may still see. Similar fish such as Dario hysginon and D. dayingensis are occasionally traded too. The IUCN lists it as Data Deficient. Sources: Seriously Fish (seriouslyfish.com/species/dario-dario/); FishBase (fishbase.se/summary/Dario-dario.html); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dariodario). Checked October 2026.

Diet

A tiny micropredator. It needs small live or frozen foods such as Artemia nauplii, Daphnia, grindal worms and microworms; dried food is usually ignored. Avoid bloodworm and Tubifex, which can cause obesity and disease.

Breeding

Breeds readily in a well-planted species tank. Pairs spawn among plants or in small caves and moss; the male guards the spot. Eggs hatch in about 2–3 days. The fry are very small and need infusoria-grade foods at first, then microworm and Artemia nauplii. Adults give little care to free-swimming fry and may eat them, so plenty of moss helps, or move the fry to their own tank.

Compatibility and tank mates

Peaceful towards other species but too small and timid for a normal community. Best in a species tank or with very small, calm fish such as small rasboras (e.g. Boraras) and dwarf shrimp, which are left alone apart from the odd shrimplet. Males are territorial towards each other.

Last updated 5 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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