TankBud

Badis

Badis badis

Also known as blue perch, chameleon fish

FreshwaterFish

Badis (Badis badis)
The original uploader was Tomolyka at Hungarian Wikipedia. · CC BY-SA 3.0

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
Diet
Carnivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Cave spawner · Hard
Rarity
Rare
Family
Badidae
Origin
India, Bangladesh, Nepal

Overview

The Badis is a small, peaceful fish for a calm, planted tank with cool water. It suits a keeper with some experience.

Did you know

The Badis is sometimes called the chameleon fish, because one fish can run through a wide range of colors and patterns within minutes. It shifts color with mood and breeding state by expanding and contracting pigment cells in its skin.

Caring for the Badis

Keep Badis as a single fish or a small group in a quiet, well-planted tank of at least 20 gal (75 L). Add driftwood and caves so each fish can claim a spot. They hang in the lower and middle levels, near plants and cover.

Badis like cooler, slightly soft water at 59 to 77°F (15 to 25°C) and a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. That makes the Badis a good fish for an unheated or low-heat setup. They are picky eaters that usually refuse dry food, so plan on live or frozen bloodworms, daphnia and brine shrimp.

Badis are peaceful but shy and territorial, so give them calm tank mates. They are cave spawners, and the male guards a chosen cave and tends the eggs and fry. Breeding them is hard.

Good to know

The Badis is a small fish in the family Badidae, with a stocky, laterally flattened body. It is also known as the blue perch, and wild populations are listed as Least Concern.

In the wild

Badis live in slow, shallow water across India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan. They are found in streams and ponds with sandy or muddy bottoms and heavy plant growth.

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.

What does a Badis eat?

A Badis eats live or frozen foods such as bloodworms, daphnia and brine shrimp. It is a picky eater and usually refuses dry food.

How big does a Badis get?

An adult Badis reaches about 2.4 in (6 cm).

How does a Badis breed?

A Badis is a cave spawner, and the male guards the cave and tends the eggs and fry. Breeding it is hard.

Related species