Scarlet Badis (Dario dario) Care & Info | Pint-Sized Perches

If you’re looking for fish to keep in a nano aquarium, your options will unfortunately be somewhat limited. Most species just get too big! That being said, there are still a few fish out there that will do well in a smaller tank. Our favorite? Dario dario, better known as the scarlet badis.

Keep reading for everything you need to know about the scarlet badis, where it’s from, and what yours will need to thrive!

Scarlet badis description & natural habitat

Description

Despite their very small size (only about 1”), male scarlet badis are not easy to overlook. Their bright orange-reddish color is interrupted by seven blue, iridescent bars on the body. There’s also some iridescence on the fins, which they will gladly show off when confronted with a female or a male intruder to their territory.

Females of the species are a lot less spectacularly colored than the males. They’re also smaller and their fins stay shorter, which is why they can be more difficult to find in the aquarium trade.

These shimmery little fish belong to the Badidae or chameleonfish, a family of small fish belonging to the larger superfamily Percoidea (“perch-like” or perciformes, though technically not true perches). Their common name of “badis” makes them easy to confuse with their equally colorful cousin, Badis badis, but that one’s blue rather than red.

Indeed, today’s subject was thought to belong to the genus Badis for a long time. It was called Badis dario until scientists reclassified it in 2002!

Natural habitat

The scarlet badis is naturally found in India (West Bengal, Assam) and possibly into neighboring Bhutan. It inhabits small streams and tributaries that flow into the massive Brahmaputra system, but doesn’t occur in the river itself.

This species’ favorite waters are known to be shallow (not much more than 2ft) and very clear. They’re also heavily vegetated with both floating and aquatic plants, and feature a fine gravelly to sandy substrate.

Did you know? The IUCN Red List considers Dario dario to be a species of Least Concern. This means it’s not currently threatened in the wild. This being said, the organization does note that its natural habitat is under pressure due to deforestation and other human activities.

Scarlet badis aquarium

Because the scarlet badis is a true microfish, it’s a popular choice among nano aquarists and aquascapers. You can keep yours in a tank with a volume of 10 gallons or up, although the species will also do fine in a larger aquarium.

Another nice thing about Dario dario is that we know exactly what kind of environment it needs to thrive: shallow and with an abundance of plants. It’ll appreciate something similar to its natural habitat in the aquarium. In fact, yours might become shy, pale, and withdrawn if you don’t offer enough cover.

To keep your fish happy and feeling at ease, choose a soft substrate. Add lots of (floating) plants (Limpnophila, Vallisneria, Hygrophila and other species it might encounter in the wild would be ideal), and include plenty of decor in the form of rocks and driftwood. Keep the filter flow calm and don’t blast your fish with overly bright lighting.

Water parameters aren’t too much of an issue, as the scarlet badis does well in a wide range of pH and hardness levels. The same goes for temperature. The most important factor is stability: avoid sudden swings in water quality.

Make sure, as always, that the tank is fully cycled before adding your Dario dario or any other livestock. Keep up with weekly water changes and other aquarium maintenance.

Tankmates

Although scarlet badis are technically predators, their size obviously makes them prey as well. They’re a little timid and don’t combine well with larger or more assertive aquarium fish species. Many aquarists prefer keeping them in a single-species set-up, especially in nano tanks.

If you do want to add tankmates, go for peaceful fish that prefer similar water values. Small tetra species, pygmy Corydoras or microrasboras work well. They won’t outcompete the badis for food, but are also unlikely to be bothered by it.

As for their own kind, as we’ve mentioned, it can be difficult to find female scarlet badis in your local aquarium store. They simply aren’t sold as much due to their less spectacular coloration and finnage.

This is a pity, because you’ll enjoy your scarlet badis the most if you keep them in a pair or harem. Having females around allows the male to show off his courting skills and beautiful coloration. In a 10-gallon aquarium, something like 1 male and 2 females should work fantastically.

The males are quite territorial and shouldn’t be kept together unless you have a larger (20+ gallon) aquarium. Be sure to set up coconut huts or upturned flower pots for them on opposite sides of the tank, so they can establish their own territories.

Scarlet badis diet

Generally speaking, scarlet badis are not a demanding species. They’ll do fine in the care of a beginning aquarist. The most challenging aspect of caring for them in the aquarium is their diet: these micropredators naturally feed on anything that’s tiny and moves. In captivity, they can have trouble adjusting to pellets and flake foods.

If you’d like to keep scarlet badis, it’s a good idea to set up a live food culture (which we think is something any aquarist would do well to look into anyway!). All fish will appreciate being able to hunt tiny live fare like freshly hatched brine shrimp, Daphnia, grindal worms, and similar small critters.

Breeding scarlet badis

If you’re interested in breeding your fish, you’ll be delighted to hear that scarlet badis make a great choice for aspiring aquaculturists! They breed pretty readily in the aquarium. In densely planted tanks, you may find offspring popping out of the greenery without any interference on your part.

To give the fry better chances of survival, it’s best not to keep your scarlet badis with any tankmates. Feed plenty of nutritious live and frozen foods and keep the water quality high. You’ll soon see the male starting to show off and attempting to entice females into his territory.

The eggs are deposited on plants or similar surfaces, so it’s helpful to add some Java moss or spawning mops. These are easy to take out of the tank so you can raise the fry separately (which prevents predation by the parents). Do keep in mind that the babies are tiny, so you’ll need to have an infusoria culture ready to feed them once they’ve absorbed their yolk sacs.

Conclusion

Scarlet badis are the perfect addition to a small (or big!) jungle-style aquascape, which in turn makes an amazing eyecatcher in any home or office. FantaSEA Aquariums has experienced freshwater aquascapers ready to design, set up and maintain your tank for you.

If you’d like all the enjoyment and none of the hassle of owning an aquarium, simply contact us here with your ideas. We’ll get working on your dream tank ASAP!