Burmese caterpillar badis

Badis pyema

Also known as Pyema badis

FreshwaterFish

Care at a glance

Temperature: 68–79°F (20–26°C)
pH: 6.0–7.5
Adult size: 1.8 in (4.5 cm)
Minimum tank: 11 gal (40 L)
Temperament: Mostly peaceful
Social behavior: Solitary
Tankmates: Tankmates with caution
Swim level: Bottom
Difficulty: Medium
Breeding: Medium
Rarity: Rare
Origin: Kachin streams, northern Myanmar
Family: Badidae

Overview

The Burmese caterpillar badis is a slow moving, retiring dwarf that keeps to the bottom and to cover, so keep it singly or as one male-and-female pair rather than a group, since males are territorial toward each other. It is peaceful but shy and easily intimidated, so give it a species tank or only small, gentle tankmates that will not bully it or steal its food. It is a fussy micropredator that often refuses dry food and wants small live or frozen foods such as brine shrimp and daphnia. Provide a well structured tank of at least 40 liters with plenty of caves and broken lines of sight.

In the wild

It is known only from clear, forested hill streams around Putao in Kachin state, northern Myanmar, shallow and fast flowing over rock, gravel and sand. Recreate that with a sand and rounded-gravel bottom, water-worn stones, roots and leaf litter for shelter, and gentle to moderate flow with good oxygenation. Keep the water soft to medium and close to neutral, about pH 6.0 to 7.5, at a cool-tropical 20 to 26 C, with subdued lighting.

Good to know

Badis pyema is a chameleonfish in the family Badidae, reaching up to about 4.5 cm. It was described in 2002 by Kullander and Britz as part of their revision of the group. Like other badids it is a cave spawner of moderate breeding difficulty: a pair forms a brief bond, the male leads the female into a shelter, and after spawning the male alone guards and fans the eggs until they hatch.

Did you know

Courtship is a wrestling match. Pairs briefly lock jaws and flare before spawning inside a cave, after which the male stands guard alone, fanning fresh water over the eggs until they hatch.