Blue badis

Badis badis

Mood-changing brown bars and blue fins in adult males

Natural males can shift from brown to very dark display colours, with blue iridescence in the fins. A dark spot sits above the pectoral base.

Adult length: Up to 6 cm (standard length, without the tail fin)
Water temperature: 15–25 °C
Lifespan: 3–5 years
pH: 6–7.5
Hardness: 3–15 dGH

Natural habitat: Found in rivers, ponds, ditches and swamps.

Confirm feeding before purchase. Tiny fish and shrimp may be prey; males defend territories.

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Appearance and identification

Dario dario is a separate, smaller species with red-blue male barring. Several Badis species need morphological counts to identify; changing colour or one dark spot is not enough.

Social behaviour and territory

Not a tight-schooling fish. Give rival males separate territories and separate persistently chased fish.

Compatibility limits

Avoid forceful competitors and mixing different Badis species, which risks hybrids.

Space requirements

An 80 × 30 cm base for a pair or small group. Distribute caves and cover.

Aquarium environment

Does not damage plants. Plant cover does not make the aquarium shrimp-safe or remove the need to feed.

Diet and feeding

Offer appropriately sized live or frozen invertebrates and check that this deliberate feeder eats. Do not assume dried food is accepted.

Sources

www.fishbase.se ↗ 2026-10-25

www.seriouslyfish.com ↗ 2026-10-22

api.gbif.org ↗ 2026-10-22