🐟 Scarlet Badis Care Guide (Dario dario)
🌟 Overview The Scarlet Badis (Dario dario) is one of the smallest freshwater fish available in the aquarium hobby, admired for its brilliant red coloration and peaceful nature. Native to India, these nano fish are best suited for heavily planted aquariums with gentle tank mates.
🔑 Quick Facts
- Scientific Name: Dario dario
- Common Name: Scarlet Badis
- Origin: India (Brahmaputra River basin)
- Size: 0.5 – 0.8 inches (1.5 – 2 cm)
- Lifespan: 3–4 years
- Temperament: Peaceful but territorial males
- Care Level: Moderate (due to specialized feeding)
🏠 Tank Requirements
- Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons (ideal for a small group)
- Water Temperature: 72–79°F (22–26°C)
- pH: 6.5–7.5
- Hardness: 5–15 dGH
- Aquascape: Heavily planted tank with hiding spots, driftwood, and gentle filtration
🍽️ Diet
- Scarlet Badis are micro-predators that often refuse dry foods. They prefer live and frozen foods such as:
- Baby brine shrimp
- Daphnia
- Grindal worms
- Microworms
- Frozen bloodworms & cyclops
- With patience, some individuals may accept finely crushed pellets or flakes. A varied diet is essential for vibrant color and good health.
🧑🤝🧑 Tank Mates
- Best with other small, peaceful nano fish: ember tetras, chili rasboras, celestial pearl danios
- Compatible with dwarf shrimp and snails (though tiny shrimp fry may be eaten)
- Avoid larger, aggressive, or fast-feeding fish
🧠 Behavior & Tips
- Males are territorial and may display to each other; keep multiple females per male if housing in groups.
- Provide plenty of plants, caves, and line-of-sight breaks to reduce aggression.
- Keep in groups of 6+ for more natural behavior, but ensure enough space.
❓ FAQ
Q: Are Scarlet Badis hard to keep?
A: They are hardy once established, but feeding can be a challenge since many refuse dry foods.
Q: Can I keep Scarlet Badis in a community tank?
A: Yes, but only with peaceful, slow-feeding nano species. They may starve if housed with aggressive eaters.
Q: How can I tell males from females?
A: Males are more colorful (red with stripes) and slightly larger, while females are paler and rounder-bodied.
