Tiger badis
Badis kyar
Also known as Kyar badis
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 68–79°F
- 20–26°C
- pH
- 6.0–7.5
- Adult size
- 1.6 in
- 4 cm
- Minimum tank
- 11 gal
- 40 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Diet
- Carnivore
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Cave spawner · Medium
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Badidae
- Origin
- Myitkyina wetlands, northern Myanmar
Overview
The tiger badis is a small, quietly territorial bottom fish for a rocky stream setup. It is best kept by someone with a little experience.
Did you know
The tiger badis carries its common name in its scientific name too. Kyar is the Burmese word for tiger, chosen for the bold dark bars this fish wears from youth right through to adulthood.
Caring for the tiger badis
Give the tiger badis a well structured tank of at least 11 gal (40 L). Use a sand or fine gravel bottom with plenty of water-worn rocks, rounded stones and pebbles for shelter. Plants such as Java fern or Anubias can grow on the decor. It likes a little visible current, slightly more flow than most dwarfs enjoy.
Keep the water close to neutral, at a pH of 6.0 to 7.5 and 68 to 79°F (20 to 26°C). It tolerates cooler spells. The tiger badis is a micropredator that prefers small live and frozen foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia and the occasional bloodworm. It often refuses dry food.
Keep it singly or as a pair rather than a group, since males will not share territory. It patrols the bottom and the cover, and it is shy and easily intimidated. A species tank suits it, or small, calm fish that stay off the floor.
The tiger badis is a cave spawner, and breeding is moderately difficult. After a brief pairing, the eggs are hidden in a shelter. The male is left to guard and fan them.
Good to know
The tiger badis is a slim chameleonfish in the family Badidae, also sold as the kyar badis. Kullander and Britz described it in 2002 in their revision of the family.
In the wild
The tiger badis lives in weedy, gently flowing wetland shallows and streams around Myitkyina, in the upper Irrawaddy of northern Myanmar.
Common questions
What size tank does a tiger badis need?
A tiger badis needs at least 11 gal (40 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a tiger badis need?
A tiger badis is comfortable at 68–79°F (20–26°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.
What does a tiger badis eat?
A tiger badis eats small live and frozen foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia and the occasional bloodworm. It is a micropredator and often refuses dry food.
How big does a tiger badis get?
An adult tiger badis reaches about 1.6 in (4 cm).
How does a tiger badis breed?
A tiger badis spawns in a cave. The pair spends only a short time together, the eggs go into a shelter, and the male guards and fans them. Breeding it is moderately difficult.
Related species
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)
1.8 in (4.5 cm)11 gal (40 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)Burmese caterpillar badis
Badis pyema
1.8 in (4.5 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)
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)
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)
2.4 in (6 cm)20 gal (75 L)59–77°F (15–25°C)Badis
Badis badis
2.4 in (6 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)