All fish / Badidae

Siamese Badis

Badis siamensis

Also known as siamese badis, thai badis, badis siamensis, chameleon fish, dwarf chameleon fish, ปลาหมอแคระ, バディス・シャメンシス, 暹罗变色鲈, 泰国变色鲈

A small, stocky perch-like fish with a long dorsal fin and dark vertical bars over a brown to bluish body, the colours changing quickly with mood. Males turn deep and vivid when displaying, and its curious, deliberate hunting behaviour makes it a favourite for planted nano and biotope tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

4.5 cm

Temperature

22 to 28 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

45 litres

Keep as

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

Diet

Carnivore: live and frozen foods such as 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

Thailand (Mae Klong, Chao Phraya basins); possibly Myanmar

Breeding

A cave spawner: the male claims a cave or crevice, courts a female inside, then guards the eggs and wrigglers until they swim free. Breeding is fairly easy in a heavily planted tank with caves, and the fry can be raised on infusoria and baby brine shrimp.

Good to know

Males are territorial towards each other and similar bottom dwellers, so provide plenty of caves and avoid fast, boisterous tankmates that outcompete it at feeding. Often confused with Badis badis and other Badis species in the trade.