Scarlet Badis
Dario dario
Scarlet Badis is a bottom-to-middle swimmer. Solitary housing is permitted; group housing needs additional context.
Save this fish or add it directly to one of your aquariums.
Need help with Scarlet Badis?
Explore compatibility, care or problems using this guide and your aquarium’s conditions.
Quick facts
- Adult size
- ≤ 0.8" (≤ 2 cm)
- Aquarium size
- 11 US gal (40 L) or larger / ≥ 17.7" (≥ 45 cm) minimum length
- Care level
- Intermediate
- Temperament
- Semi-Aggressive
- Swimming zone
- Bottom to middle swimmer
- Temperature
- 64–79°F (18–26°C)
- pH
- 6.5–8.5
- GH
- 1–15 dGH
- Diet
- Carnivore
- Lifespan
- up to 6 years
- Group behavior
- Solitary housing is permitted; group housing needs additional context
Care requirements
Care level: Intermediate.
Lifespan: up to 6 years.
Aquarium size and space needs
Minimum aquarium size: 11 US gal (40 L) or larger / ≥ 17.7" (≥ 45 cm) minimum length. Plan the layout and stocking within that limit.
Water parameters
Suitable water: temperature 18–26 °C, pH 6.5–8.5, GH 1–15 dGH.
Temperament and compatibility
Scarlet Badis needs careful companion choice because it can be territorial or semi-aggressive.
Swimming zone and behavior
This fish uses the lower to middle part of the aquarium, so leave enough open substrate area for movement and feeding.
Feeding
Use foods that suit a meatier diet and avoid combining it with fish small enough to be treated as food.
Offer small live or frozen invertebrates. Avoid bloodworm and Tubifex as the source links these foods to obesity and disease; do not rely on dried food alone.
Before adding this fish
- Plan for an aquarium of 11 US gal (40 L) or larger / ≥ 17.7" (≥ 45 cm) minimum length.
- Choose other fish carefully around this temperament.
- Solitary housing is permitted; group housing needs additional context.
- Offer a varied diet suited to this species’ documented feeding habits.
Natural habitat and origin
Origin: Bhutan India.
Important notes
- Scarlet badis often arrive in male-only shipments; a pair label cannot be treated as confirmed compatible unless sex and behaviour are verified.
Similar fish profiles
Use these profiles to compare fish with similar care level, size, temperature range, or swimming behavior.
FAQ
How large does Scarlet Badis get?
Scarlet Badis reaches ≤ 0.8" (≤ 2 cm).
What aquarium size does Scarlet Badis need?
Use an aquarium of at least 11 US gal (40 L) or larger / ≥ 17.7" (≥ 45 cm) minimum length.
Is Scarlet Badis peaceful?
Scarlet Badis needs more careful companion choice because the temperament data points toward boundaries, space, or similar-sized fish.
What temperature is suitable for Scarlet Badis?
Keep it between 18 to 26 °C.
Should Scarlet Badis be kept alone or in a group?
Scarlet Badis: Solitary housing is permitted; group housing needs additional context.
