Description
Scientific Name: Dario dario Common Names: Scarlet Badis, Red Badis, Gem Badis Origin: India (West Bengal and Assam)
Physical Characteristics This is a true “nano” species, perfect for small desktop tanks.
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Coloration: Males are spectacular, featuring a bright red body with 7 vertical iridescent blue bars. Their fins are often rimmed in electric blue.
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Females: It is important to note that females look completely different. They are plain, silvery-grey, and lack the red stripes. (Females are rare in pet stores because they are less colorful).
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Size: They are incredibly small, rarely exceeding 0.8 to 1 inch (2–2.5 cm).
Behavior and Temperament
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Movement: They have a unique swimming style. Rather than swimming constantly, they “hover” in the water, inspecting plants and rocks for tiny food, much like a hummingbird.
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Territorial: Despite their size, males can be territorial with each other. In a small tank, they will flare their fins and chase rivals, but they rarely do damage.
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Shyness: They are timid fish. If kept with large or fast-moving fish, they will hide constantly and may starve. They are best kept in a species-only tank or with other tiny fish like Chili Rasboras.
Care and Habitat
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The Feeding Challenge: This is the most difficult part of keeping Scarlet Badis. They are notoriously picky eaters. Most will not eat dry flakes or pellets. They typically require live or frozen food like baby brine shrimp, daphnia, or microworms.
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Tank Size: Because they are so small, a 5 to 10-gallon tank is sufficient.
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Decor: They require a heavily planted tank with plenty of moss and hiding spots to feel secure.
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