Order Perciformes
Family Badidae
Genus Badis.
The genus Badis inhabits Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Thailand, typically in standing or slow-flowing waters. These are small fish ranging from 3 to 7 cm, with a slender body shape and rounded, non-extended fins. Aggressive within the genus and in interspecific competition, surface-oriented species are better suited as tankmates. They prefer a solitary lifestyle; in nature, they live in small colonies maintaining sufficient distance. All Badis species reach sexual maturity very early.
During the spawning period, males occupy a small territory near a dark cave and defend it against competitors. The male cares for the fry brood. Caves in the form of coconut shells, flower pots, and various tubes serve as shelters. The water must be clean, but they are undemanding regarding other parameters. Badis fish usually feed only on live food.
Until 2002, the genus included only five species. However, an extensive revision by Kullander and Britz added at least ten new species. Badis dario was separated into its own genus and named Dario dario. The former subspecies B. b. burmicanus and B. b. assamensis were elevated to species status. These recent studies also showed that there are five groups within the genus, each containing species most closely related to one another.
The Badis badis group contains B. badis, B. chittagongis, B. ferrarisi, B. kanabos, and B. tuivaiei. The Badis ruber group consists of B. ruber, B. siamensis, and B. khwae. As inhabitants of southern regions, the water temperature should not drop below 20°C. The Badis assamensis group is represented by B. assamensis and B. blosyrus. These are the largest fish in the genus, reaching up to 9 cm, predatory and fish-eating. The Badis corycaeus group includes B. corycaeus, B. pyema, and B. sp. Buxar. All these fish range from more or less reddish-brown to bright red with dark stripes. They inhabit the northern upper reaches of rivers and therefore tolerate lower temperatures. The last group includes only B. kyar.
Also kept in aquariums: — Badis blosyrus [Kullander & Britz, 2002]. India. 3.5 cm. Body is burgundy. A stripe of black spots runs at an angle through the eye. A dark spot on the gill cover and two rows of irregular blackish spots along the body. A black spot at the base of the caudal fin. Similar to B. assamensis, differing by a longer jaw; — Badis ferrarisi [Kullander & Britz, 2002]. Found on the border of India and Myanmar, Chindwin River. 3.5 cm. On the burgundy body, about 11 dark brown to black vertical stripes are present only in the middle of the body, where together they form a wide longitudinal stripe. Caudal fin is rounded; — Badis juergenschmidti [Schindler & Linke, 2010]. Eastern Myanmar. 3.5 cm. Body coloration is yellowish-brown with chocolate-brown vertical stripes all over the body. The first stripe runs from the lips through the eye onto the forehead. A dark spot at the base of the tail;
— Badis kanabos [Kullander & Britz, 2002]. India. 3 cm. A dark spot above the pectoral fins, a prominent dark spot at the front of the dorsal fin. Dark vertical stripes narrowing towards the belly on the flanks. Caudal fin with dark spots in a circle at the base; — Badis khwae [Kullander & Britz, 2002]. Thailand, Kwae River. 3 cm. Body is light brown with longitudinal rows of small red dots. A stripe runs at an angle from the lips through the eye to the nape. A dark spot on the caudal peduncle; — Badis kyar [Kullander & Britz, 2002]. Northern Myanmar. 4 cm. Body is very slender, light brown with 10 curved dark stripes; — Badis sp. Buxar. Eastern India. 4 cm, females are smaller. Body is bright red, with a dark spot at the rear of the anal fin and the soft part of the dorsal fin.
— Assam badis — Badis assamensis [Ahl, 1937]. Synonym: Badis badis assamensis. Northeast India, Brahmaputra River. 7 cm. They have dark spots on the rear part of the gill cover and two rows of irregular blackish spots on the flanks. Aquarium with densely planted vegetation, driftwood, and stones creating numerous hiding places, with subdued lighting in the lower area where it will spend most of its time.
Cave-like structures such as half coconut shells or an inverted clay pot should be included as potential spawning sites. A soft sandy substrate is preferred, although fine gravel is also acceptable. Can be kept with cyprinids and most gouramis that inhabit the upper layers of the aquarium.
These are not schooling fish, and males can be very aggressive towards each other, especially in small aquariums. Therefore, they should be kept as a single pair or one male with several females, but in a spacious tank with enough room for each male to have his own territory. They feed on aquatic crustaceans, worms, insect larvae, and zooplankton.
It is difficult to get them accustomed to dried foods. They move slowly and arrive late at feeding sites, which may leave them hungry. The male is entirely responsible for the clutch and fry. This species is subject to seasonal temperature fluctuations in nature (15-25°C), so it can be kept in cold-water aquariums. Prefers slightly acidic to neutral water with pH 6.0-7.5. Hardness 3-10°.
— Chameleon Fish. Brown-blue Perch. Badis — Badis badis [Hamilton, 1822]. Synonym: Badis buchanani, Labrus fasciata, badis. (Eng. Chameleon Fish). Clean streams and standing water bodies of the Indian Peninsula. 6 cm, females are smaller. Body is relatively low, laterally compressed, back slightly convex, belly somewhat concave, head comparatively small with a deep mouth cleft. Dorsal and anal fins are large and rounded, the latter located far back. This species has many geographical forms.
The fish gets its name from its ability to change color (males are especially notable for this), which depends on mood, physiological state, and environmental conditions. It can be gray, gray-yellow, brownish, bluish, greenish, or black with a violet-blue sheen and a mosaic pattern of silvery, blue-black, and reddish scales. The fish is either completely invisible against the substrate, suddenly darkens to charcoal, or sharply displays transverse bars, transitioning within a short time from deep blue to brownish-gray, with fins ranging from bright blue to gray.
Hiding in a cave where it guards its offspring, the male periodically emerges, literally each time with a new shimmering coloration. The back ranges from olive to black-blue, and its belly is greenish or bluish. A dark spot with a light border is sometimes visible on the back. A thin black stripe runs from the mouth through the eye to the base of the tail.
Fins are yellowish-green, bluish, or dark blue with a green or blue iridescent shine. The caudal fin may have a red or green stripe and a pinkish edge. The male’s coloration is characterized by a metallic sheen and frequent alternation of a wide scale of colors. Its fins are stronger than those of females, with elongated tips on the dorsal and anal fins; older males are somewhat bulbously arched, with sunken bellies.
It is especially beautiful during spawning: dark brown, almost black, with alternating glittering red, blue, and green dots. Fins are bright blue with a pearlescent sheen. Young fish often show 6-10 dark transverse bands on their flanks. Females are smaller, dully colored, lack blue in their fins, and have a clearly convex belly.
They get along with any non-predatory species. While females dart back and forth exploring the aquarium, males quickly establish a small territory around one of the shelters and leave it only to feed. Males are territorial and aggressive towards each other, and fierce duels between them often end fatally.
A single male in a community aquarium is very aggressive; it is better to keep one male and several females, providing multiple caves made from coconut shell halves. Combining it with similar territorial bottom-dwellers should only be done in a large aquarium. These fish lead a secretive lifestyle, dislike the company of other species, and are best kept separately in dimly lit aquariums with plenty of hiding places and plants. If the shelters are too deep, you will rarely see your pets.
Dense plants and small caves give Badis fish a sense of complete security while preventing them from hiding completely out of sight, which is natural for these fish. Stone structures and driftwood provide numerous hiding places and serve to demarcate territories. They require a fine sand substrate. They feel much better in peat-filtered water with a slightly acidic to neutral reaction. Water changes should be done gradually in small portions. They eat exclusively live food, including small snails, and do not eat dry foods. Very slow-moving Badis can starve in a community with swift fish.
They reach sexual maturity at 4-6 months at a length of 5 cm. Spawning can occur in a community aquarium. Eggs are deposited in a flower pot cavity or on its surface, as well as on stones covered by plants. Some males prepare spawning sites in the sand in the form of small depressions. The male cares for the eggs and fry; it is advisable to remove the female immediately as the male does not tolerate her presence. At birth, the fry are very small and sensitive to water quality. If the brood is left entirely in the aquarium, depending on the tank size, only a few stronger males that have claimed their territory will develop normally. dH 5-20°; pH 6.0-7.5; T 20-26°C.
— Small-spotted badis — Badis corycaeus [Britz & Kullander, 2002]. From the upper Ayeyarwady River basin and Indawgyi Lake in northern Myanmar. 6 cm, females are smaller. Males are yellowish-brown with transverse rows of brown spots. Each scale has a dark spot. Fins are dark burgundy with contrasting white edges. They lack a dark spot on the gill cover.
These are not schooling fish, and males can be very aggressive towards each other, especially in small aquariums. Therefore, you should keep one pair or one male and several females, but in a spacious tank with enough room for each male to have his own territory. They spawn in a cave. This species is subject to seasonal temperature fluctuations in nature (15-25°C), so it can be kept in cold-water aquariums. Hardness 1-5°, pH 7.0-8.0.
Identification: Genus Badis — Badis assamensis, badis, corycaeus.
Dario dario, Dario dayingensis, Dario hysginon.
Parambassis ranga, Parambassis wolffii. 
