All fish / Badidae

Tiger Badis

Dario tigris

Also known as tiger dario, dario tiger, tiger badis dario, ダリオ・ティグリス

A tiny, shy badid with a tan to orange body crossed by dark vertical bars, giving it a tiger-like look. Males show more intense colour and longer fins. Keepers like it for nano biotope tanks where its careful hunting and display behaviour can be watched.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

3 cm

Temperature

18 to 24 °C

pH

6.5 to 7.5

Smallest tank

40 litres

Keep as

One male with several females, or a small group in a well-planted tank

Diet

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

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

3 to 5 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Myanmar (upper Chindwin and Irrawaddy area streams)

Breeding

Males claim small territories and court females, with eggs laid among plants or in small caves. Breeding happens readily in a quiet, heavily planted tank, and fry need infusoria or microworms at first.

Good to know

Usually refuses dried foods, so a steady supply of live or frozen food is needed. Males squabble in small tanks, and it should not be kept with boisterous or large fish.