Scarlet Badis Care Guide: Tank Size, Diet & Tankmates

The Scarlet Badis (Dario hysginon, sometimes sold as Red Neon Badis) is one of the smallest and most colorful freshwater fish in the hobby — males glow a deep scarlet-red striped with iridescent blue. At Tropical Treasures Wyo, we carry the Scarlet Badis along with its close cousin the Tiger Badis, plus a rotating range of other nano fish. Stock rotates often, so message us if you don't see one listed.

Meet the Scarlet Badis

Native to slow, heavily planted streams in India and Myanmar, the Scarlet Badis is a true micro-predator that tops out at well under an inch — males reach about 0.8 inch and females are smaller and plainer. They are shy, curious, and best appreciated in a quiet, mature aquarium where their color and hunting behavior can really shine.

Tank Size and Setup

Because they are so tiny and territorial, a heavily planted nano tank of 10 gallons or more is ideal for a small group. The key is structure: lots of plants, leaf litter, and sight breaks so males can hold small territories without constant fighting.

• Dense live plants and floating plants for cover and dimmer light.
• Plenty of moss, driftwood, and leaf litter to break up lines of sight.
• Gentle filtration and flow — they dislike strong currents.
• A mature tank with microfauna gives them natural grazing between feedings.

Water Parameters and Temperature

Scarlet Badis like warm, stable, gently moving water. Aim for a temperature of 72–79°F, a pH of about 6.5–7.5, and soft to moderately hard water. Because they are so small, they are sensitive to swings, so steady parameters and regular small water changes matter most.

Feeding Your Scarlet Badis

This is the make-or-break point with Scarlet Badis: they are micro-predators that usually refuse dry flake food. Plan to offer small live and frozen foods.

• Live or frozen foods such as baby brine shrimp, daphnia, and cyclops.
• Microworms and other tiny live cultures are eagerly accepted.
• Some individuals will learn to take Hikari Micro Wafers, but live and frozen should be the staple.
• A mature, planted tank supplies extra microfauna to graze on.

Tankmates and Temperament

Scarlet Badis are peaceful toward other species but the males can squabble with each other, so give them room and sight breaks. They do best with calm, similarly tiny tankmates that won't outcompete them at feeding time. Good companions include small schoolers like chili rasboras and ember tetras, peaceful bottom-dwellers such as pygmy corydoras, and a cleanup crew of dwarf shrimp and nerite snails. Note that adult Scarlet Badis may hunt very small shrimplets, so a mature shrimp colony fares better than new babies. Avoid boisterous or large fish that will bully them or steal their food.

Is the Scarlet Badis Right for You?

The Scarlet Badis suits patient keepers who can run a mature, planted nano tank and provide small live or frozen foods. If you want another peaceful nano centerpiece, our sparkling gourami guide, Norman’s lampeye guide, and nano community tankmates guide are great next reads.

Frequently Asked Questions

How big do Scarlet Badis get? They are one of the smallest aquarium fish — males reach only about 0.8 inch, and females are smaller, so a planted nano tank suits them well.

Will Scarlet Badis eat flake food? Usually not. They are micro-predators that need small live or frozen foods like baby brine shrimp and daphnia; some learn to take micro wafers over time.

Can Scarlet Badis live with shrimp? They can coexist with adult dwarf shrimp, but they may hunt tiny shrimplets, so an established shrimp colony is the safer pairing.