The fascinating little fish known as the Dario dario, or Scarlet Badis, can liven up your aquarium with a burst of color and personality. For aquarists who want to create a lively, colorful tank, these little fish are a favorite because of their striking patterns and vivid red colors. For both novice and experienced fish keepers, Scarlet Badis are a captivating option because of their personality-filled small size.
Dario dario is a native of Bangladesh and India, where it grows well in calm, well-planted aquariums that replicate their natural environment. They like environments with lots of hiding places and a calm water flow because it makes them feel safe and supports their innate tendencies. They are a great option for community setups with other peaceful species or smaller tanks due to their calm nature and small size.
Maintaining the proper water parameters and feeding Scarlet Badis a diet appropriate for their small mouths are two aspects of caring for them. They don’t have many needs, but being aware of them helps to keep them happy and healthy. A little care and the appropriate surroundings can make Dario dario a magnificent focal point in your aquarium, adding elegance and charm to your aquatic landscape.
| Characteristic | Description |
| Scientific Name | Dario dario |
| Common Name | Scarlet Badis |
| Size | Up to 2 cm |
| Diet | Carnivorous, prefers live and frozen foods |
| Water Temperature | 22-28°C |
| pH Level | 6.5-7.5 |
| Tank Size | Minimum 10 liters |
| Behavior | Peaceful but territorial |
| Compatibility | Best kept with other small, peaceful fish |
| Lifespan | Up to 4 years |
Habitat and range
Appears to be limited to a network of tributaries that flow into the Brahmaputra River in Assam and West Bengal, India; however, they may also reach Bhutan.
Usually inhabits clear, shallow streams that are up to one meter in depth, with sand or gravel at the bottom and dense clumps of aquatic or coastal vegetation. There were plants belonging to the genera Hygrophila, Limnophila, Otelia, Rotala, and Vallisneria in one location within the assembly of macrophytes*.
*Macrophytes serve as indicators of water quality, a substrate for numerous fish to spawn on, a haven for their young to rest and grow, and the home of the most significant phytophilic fauna in terms of food.
Description
The male of this tiny fish has seven transverse rows of shimmering turquoise stripes on his red body. Every fin has a blue outline and is red. When they reach sexual maturity, males and females are different. The females have a more rounded body and are silvery-gray in color, with transparent fins that have hazy vertical lines. Males have red, elongated pelvic fins with a blue stripe that shimmers. The eye’s iris is light amber to golden in color.
But when purchasing from a pet store, it is far harder to tell a male from a female than it is explained here. because the fish’s fins are the same color and shape and they are frequently still young. Furthermore, a lot of men are uniformly gray in color, especially when they are the least important members of the group.
Size
Male and female standard lengths are 20 mm and 13 mm, respectively.
Behaviour and compatibility
They are passive and slow moving, making them easily startled and outcompeted by more aggressive tank mates when it comes to feeding time. Ideal for isolation or in small pelagic** groups.
Male rivals can be extremely hostile to one another, particularly in small areas. It’s best to get only one pair or one male and several females for smaller tanks, but groups can live together in larger tanks as long as there’s room and hiding spots for each male to mark his territory.
This can be assisted by strategically placing caves and grottoes; avoid the urge to combine all of the potential spawning sites in one location, for example. If you plan to keep them in a community with other fish, then the fish in the tank with you should be carefully chosen as tankmates.
**Species of fish that live in the pelagic zone, either on the surface of the water or in the water column.
Aquarium enthusiasts find the Dario dario, also referred to as the Scarlet Badis, to be a captivating fish because of its vivid colors and manageable size. This little but eye-catching fish, which is native to Bangladesh and India, does best in tanks that are well-planted and have soft filtration. It is a visually pleasing addition to any freshwater aquarium because of its vivid red and blue colors. To maintain health and allow it to show off all of its colors, it requires special care, such as a diet of live or frozen foods and a preference for an environment with a lot of plants.
Aquarium
An aquarium with minimum dimensions of 45 * 30 cm or larger can accommodate a pair of fish or a single male with multiple females.
An organized, well-maintained aquarium with lots of hiding spots. Ideal plants include Cryptocorynes or those that can be attached to the decor, like Thai fern/ Microsorium, Anubias, or different kinds of Java moss. A soft substrate is preferred, though fine gravel will also work well.
This last one is particularly helpful since it’s a great spawning substrate. Driftwood, branches, floating plants, and dry leaves can all be used to mimic a natural biotope.
Water parameters:
It is between 18 and 26 °C. pH range: 6.5 to 8.5 Durability: 3 to 15 °C DH
Dario Dario has incredibly pure water and appealing muted light. The quality of the water affects them. Regular partial water changes are recommended.
Feeding
Dario species are aquatic crustaceans, worms, insect larvae, and other zooplankton that they feed on. They ought to be given tiny live or frozen foods like Artemia nauplii, Daphnia, and grindal in the aquarium. They also take well-prepared dry meals.
Badis shouldn’t be included in the daily diet because they tend to become obese and more prone to illness when they are consistently fed Bloodworms or Tubifex.
Sexual Dimorphism
Although it’s very easy to tell this species apart, only males are frequently traded.
Females have a notably shorter and rounder body profile, and they are smaller, less colorful, and nearly gray (without red or blue pigmentation). Males also grow longer anal, dorsal, and abdominal fins when they ripen.
Breeding
Dario dario create transitory relationships by pairing off. If you want to raise a good number of fry, it’s best to remove the other fish, though few will survive in a well-stocked species tank.
Adult fish can be used in pairs or in groups; if you use more than one male, make sure there is enough room for each fish to establish a territory that is roughly 30 cm square. Usually, only one male will establish dominance over the others, and they won’t engage in reproduction.
Water parameters should be increased by feeding more live and frozen food, and they should be within the previously recommended ranges. The males will exhibit intense coloring, mark their territories, and engage in mating behavior when they are ready to breed.
This may continue for a few days, after which the woman will drive off and the courtship will resume a minute later. When the female is ready to spawn, she will follow the male when he approaches her non-aggressively and appears to be "inviting" her to the center of his territory.
The actual spawning process only takes a few seconds, during which the eggs are haphazardly placed on the underside of a hard surface, like a plant leaf. The female swiftly vanishes after spawning, leaving the male to assume complete control of the area. The fry will be hunted as soon as they hatch, so now is the perfect time to remove the carrier containing eggs into a water-filled container from the spawning tank or adult fish if you want to produce more fry.
After two to three days of incubation, it might take the fry up to a week to fully absorb the yolk sac’s contents. Due to their small size, they must be fed infusoria; after about 14 days, they start to accept microworms such as Artemia nauplii.
Dario dario (also known as Scarlet Badis) has a 3-5 year lifespan.
In conclusion, the Dario dario, commonly referred to as the Scarlet Badis, is an endearing and fascinating fish that would make a fantastic addition to your aquarium. It stands out as an excellent option for a peaceful, well-maintained tank because of its vivid colors and compact size. Despite its beauty, it does require particular maintenance that needs to be taken into account. Maintaining the health and happiness of this species requires stable water conditions, a well-balanced diet, and an abundance of hiding places in the tank.
Setting up an aquarium that resembles the natural habitat of these fish will result in a more lively and dynamic display because these fish flourish in environments where they can show off their natural behaviors. Despite their relative low maintenance, their wellbeing depends on you being aware of their needs and giving them space. Dario dario can provide years of color and life to your aquarium with the correct conditions and maintenance.
In the end, the Scarlet Badis in the aquarium world is more than just a pretty face. For enthusiasts ready to devote the time and care it requires, its distinct personality and eye-catching appearance make it a delight. This little fish can be a rewarding and enjoyable addition to your aquatic setup if you’re ready to provide for its needs.
