All fish / Badidae

Red Badis

Badis ruber

Also known as red badis, burmese badis, badis badis burmanicus, chameleon fish, red chameleon fish, badis burmanicus, ปลาแป้นแก้วแดง, バディス・ルベル, レッドバディス, badis merah, 红变色鲈, 红鲈鱼

A small, shy perch-like fish whose males turn a deep brick red with dark vertical bars and blue-edged fins when settled. It is kept for its striking colour changes and interesting territorial behaviour in a planted, cave-rich aquarium.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

5 cm

Temperature

20 to 26 °C

pH

6.5 to 7.8

Smallest tank

60 litres

Keep as

One male with one or more females, or several in a large well-planted tank

Diet

Carnivore: live and frozen bloodworm, daphnia, brine shrimp and small worms; often refuses dry food

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

3 to 5 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Myanmar, southern China and northern Thailand (Salween, Irrawaddy and Mekong drainages)

Breeding

Males claim a cave, court females with intense colour and guard the eggs and fry after spawning. Breeding is fairly easy in a quiet tank with plenty of hiding places, though the fry need tiny live foods.

Good to know

Males are territorial towards each other and similar bottom dwellers, so give each male its own caves. Avoid boisterous tankmates that outcompete it for live food, and do not confuse it with Badis badis or Dario species.