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Contents
Overview
The Badis badis is nicknamed the chameleon fish because it changes color within seconds depending on its mood. It can shift from a dull brown with dark bars to blue, reddish or almost black tones while courting or guarding its turf. It grows to about 2.5 inches (6 cm), has broad fins and behaves very much like a dwarf cichlid.
It lives in slow-moving, vegetated streams and ponds in India, Bangladesh and Nepal. It is calm with other species, but males are territorial toward each other. It is an interesting alternative to dwarf cichlids for anyone wanting a fish with real personality in a medium planted tank, as long as you can provide live or frozen food.
Care and tank setup
A 15-gallon (60-liter) tank suits one male with one or two females. If you want several males, you need far more space and plenty of hideouts, since each claims its own cave. It is shy and stays hidden and washed out in bare tanks.
- Caves (coconut shells, stacked stones, ceramic tubes) and driftwood on the bottom.
- Dense planting and some shade from floating plants; moderate light.
- Gentle flow and stable water in a cycled tank, around 68-79°F (20-26°C); it does not need tropical heat.
- Sand or fine gravel, which it searches for food.
Tankmates: peaceful midwater fish that do not compete too hard for food, such as rasboras, small danios or calm tetras. Avoid other territorial bottom dwellers and greedy species. It will eat small shrimp and shrimplets, so keep it away from dwarf shrimp colonies you care about.
Feeding
It is a carnivore and fairly fussy. Base its diet on bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia and mysis, live or frozen. Many individuals ignore flakes and pellets, though some learn to take them over time. It eats slowly near the bottom or midwater, so make sure tankmates do not clean everything up first. Small snails are also on the menu.
Breeding
It is a cave spawner and breeds without much trouble. The male turns almost black, lures the female into his cave and the eggs are laid on the ceiling or walls. He guards eggs and larvae for several days, and the female is best removed after spawning. Once the fry swim freely, remove the male and feed them infusoria and baby brine shrimp.
Compatible tank mates
Species from our database that share water parameters, size and temperament with the Badis. Calculated from the data in each profile.
Cherry barb Puntius titteya 16 gal (60 L) · 73–81 °F (23–27 °C) 
Tiger barb Puntigrus tetrazona 26 gal (100 L) · 72–79 °F (22–26 °C) 
Betta fish Betta splendens 7 gal (25 L) · 75–82 °F (24–28 °C) 
Zebra danio Danio rerio 16 gal (60 L) · 64–77 °F (18–25 °C) 
Guppy Poecilia reticulata 14 gal (54 L) · 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) 
Platy Xiphophorus maculatus 16 gal (60 L) · 68–79 °F (20–26 °C) 
Harlequin rasbora Trigonostigma heteromorpha 16 gal (60 L) · 72–81 °F (22–27 °C) 
Neon tetra Paracheirodon innesi 16 gal (60 L) · 68–79 °F (20–26 °C) 
Swordtail Xiphophorus hellerii 32 gal (120 L) · 72–81 °F (22–27 °C) 
Bristlenose pleco Ancistrus sp. 26 gal (100 L) · 72–81 °F (22–27 °C) 
Nerite snail Neritina natalensis 5 gal (20 L) · 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) 
Horned nerite snail Clithon corona 5 gal (20 L) · 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) Check the compatibility of your whole tank →
What not to keep it with
Popular species you shouldn’t house with the Badis, and why.
- Discus: incompatible temperatures
- Clown loach: incompatible temperatures, one may eat the other due to size
- Oscar: one may eat the other due to size, incompatible temperaments
- Ember tetra: one may eat the other due to size
- Amano shrimp: eats shrimp
- Cherry shrimp: eats shrimp
Recommended equipment
What you need to keep the Badis healthy, checked against Amazon stock.
Frequently asked questions
How many liters does a Badis need?
At least about 60 liters. More space always helps keep the water stable.
What water temperature does the Badis need?
Between 20 and 26 °C, with a pH of 6 to 7.5.
What fish can live with the Badis?
Based on water, size and temperament, it fits with species such as Cherry barb, Tiger barb, Betta fish, Zebra danio and Guppy. Use our compatibility calculator to check your whole tank.
Can the Badis be kept with shrimp?
Not recommended: because of its size or instinct, it will eat shrimp.
