Badis
Badis badis
Also known as blue perch, chameleon fish
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 59–77°F
- 15–25°C
- pH
- 6.0–7.5
- Adult size
- 2.4 in
- 6 cm
- Minimum tank
- 20 gal
- 75 L
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Hard
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Badidae
- Origin
- India, Bangladesh, Nepal
Overview
Badis are peaceful but shy and territorial, so they do best as a single fish or a small group in a quiet, well-planted tank with calm tankmates. They hang in the lower and middle levels, near plants and cover. Keep the water at 15 to 25 C and pH 6 to 7.5. They are picky eaters that usually refuse dry food, so plan on live or frozen bloodworms, daphnia, and brine shrimp.
In the wild
Badis live in slow, shallow water across India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan, in streams and ponds with sandy or muddy bottoms and heavy plant growth. Give them a well-planted tank with driftwood and caves so each fish can claim a spot. They like cooler, slightly soft water, so this is a good fish for an unheated or low-heat setup.
Good to know
This is a small fish in the family Badidae, reaching about 6 cm. It has a stocky, laterally flattened body and shifts color with mood and breeding state. It is a cave spawner: the male guards a chosen cave and tends the eggs and fry. Wild populations are listed as Least Concern.
Did you know
They are sometimes called chameleon fish because a single individual can run through a wide range of colors and patterns within minutes. The change comes from pigment cells in the skin that the fish expands and contracts.
Common questions
What size tank does a Badis need?
A Badis needs at least 20 gal (75 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does a Badis need?
A Badis is comfortable at 59–77°F (15–25°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.
How big does a Badis get?
An adult Badis reaches about 2.4 in (6 cm).
Related species
2 in (5 cm)20 gal (75 L)64–77°F (18–25°C)Burmese badis
Badis ruber
2 in (5 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)
2.8 in (7 cm)21 gal (80 L)64–77°F (18–25°C)Spotted badis
Badis assamensis
2.8 in (7 cm) · 21 gal (80 L)
1.8 in (4.5 cm)11 gal (40 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)Burmese caterpillar badis
Badis pyema
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1.6 in (4 cm)11 gal (40 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)Tiger badis
Badis kyar
1.6 in (4 cm) · 11 gal (40 L)
1.6 in (4 cm)11 gal (40 L)61–77°F (16–25°C)Torpedo badis
Badis autumnum
1.6 in (4 cm) · 11 gal (40 L)
1 in (2.5 cm)5 gal (20 L)64–75°F (18–24°C)Swamp badis
Badis laspiophilus
1 in (2.5 cm) · 5 gal (20 L)