Scarlet badis Care Guide

Care Requirements

The Scarlet Badis (Dario dario) is a small and colorful fish that requires a specific environment to thrive. The ideal water temperature for Scarlet Badis ranges from 23°C to 27°C, and they prefer a pH level between 6.0 and 7.8. As moderately hardy fish, they are somewhat resilient yet require close monitoring of water conditions to maintain their health.

Tank Setup

The Scarlet Badis requires a varied habitat within the aquarium, thriving as surface, mid-tank, and bottom dwellers. The tank should be equipped to accommodate these behaviors. Ensure that the tank has plenty of hiding spots and plants for a natural environment. A minimum of 5 liters of water per fish is necessary, and they do best in schools with a minimum size of 6 individuals. This species has a difficulty rating of 4, indicating that they require more advanced care and setups.

Social Behavior

Known to be social but with specific social dynamics, Scarlet Badis are mostly peaceful but can be shy or semi-aggressive at times. During breeding, they might display moderate aggression, and they are known to have highly territorial behavior, requiring careful monitoring when mixing with other species.

Feeding

The Scarlet Badis has a varied diet that includes both live and processed foods. Suitable food options are flakes, pellets, bloodworms, brine shrimp, tubifex worms, frozen shrimp, vegetable matter, algae wafers, color enhancing food, daphnia, micro worms, feeder fish, freeze-dried foods, and stick-on tablets. It's essential to provide a balanced diet while catering to their preference for smaller live or frozen prey.

Rarity and Popularity

Scarlet Badis are considered to be of uncommon rarity and have a moderate popularity rating. These aspects may affect their availability in pet stores but also contribute to their allure among fish enthusiasts.

Maintenance Level

The Scarlet Badis ranks as a moderate maintenance species. Although not the easiest to care for, they reward attentive aquarists with their striking appearance and fascinating behavior patterns. Regular tank cleaning and consistent water quality checks are crucial elements of their care regimen.