Species profile
Blue Badis
Badis badis
Semi aggressive
Moderate care
80 L minimum aquarium
6–8 cm adult size
Bottom–mid
Minimum group: 2
About this species
General notes for hobby use.
Provide several caves and deliberate target feeding. It is not a generic flake-eating community species.
Water parameters
Suggested general range for long-term care.
Temperature
20–25 °C
pH
6–7.5
GH
3–15 dGH
KH
Not yet documented
Flow preference
Low–moderate
Data confidence
Verified
Behaviour
General behaviour traits used by TanksConnected compatibility checks.
Minimum group size
Minimum group: 2
Tank zone
Bottom–mid
Territory level
High
Predation risk
Shrimp fry
Bioload factor
0.9
Shy but territorial cave-spawning micropredator. Males defend caves and slow feeding makes it a poor match for boisterous community fish.
Compatibility flags
Quick cautions for common tank-planning issues.
Fin nipper
No
Plant safe
Yes
Shrimp safe
No / caution
Snail safe
Yes
Cave breeder
Yes
Digs substrate
No
Jump risk
Low
Natural history & care
Research-backed context for long-term aquarium care.
Lifespan
4–6 years
Diet type
Carnivore
Minimum aquarium volume
80 L
Minimum footprint
60 × 30 cm
Accepted scientific name
Badis badis
Alternative names
Blue Badis, Blue Perch, Badis
Native range
Ganges-Brahmaputra drainage region of India, Bangladesh and Nepal.
Natural habitat
Slow streams, ponds and marginal waters with plants, roots, leaf litter and sheltered cavities.
Diet & feeding
Small worms, crustaceans and insect larvae; many wild-type fish ignore dry foods, so provide varied frozen/live prey.
Breeding & sexing
Research-backed guidance for identifying sexes and reproductive behaviour.
Sexing
Males are larger, deeper-bodied and more intensely blue/red; females are smaller, plainer and fuller when ripe.
Breeding
Cave spawner. Male guards and fans adhesive eggs inside a cavity and continues guarding the immediate brood site after hatching.