All fish / Badidae

Chittagong Badis

Badis chittagongis

Also known as chittagong badis, chittagong dwarf chameleonfish, badis chittagong, バディス・チッタゴンギス, 吉大港变色鲈

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A small, slender chameleonfish from Bangladesh. Males show a brownish to bluish body with dark vertical bars and can change colour quickly with mood. Keepers like it for its bold behaviour and the territorial displays it puts on in a planted tank with caves.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

4.5 cm

Temperature

20 to 26 °C

pH

6.5 to 7.5

Smallest tank

45 litres

Keep as

One male with one or more females, or a single pair

Diet

Carnivore: small live and frozen foods such as bloodworm, daphnia, brine shrimp and grindal worms

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

3 to 5 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Bangladesh (Chittagong region) and possibly adjacent northeast India and Myanmar

Breeding

A cave spawner: the male claims a cave or crevice, entices females inside, then guards the eggs and wrigglers until they swim freely. It breeds fairly readily in a quiet, well-planted tank, though the fry need very small live foods at first.

Good to know

Males are territorial with each other and with similar bottom dwellers, so give each male its own caves. It often refuses dried foods, and it is easily confused with Badis badis and other Badis species.