prettiest Badis badis...

[Magnum Man]

saw this picture on Dan's tonight... not sure where this picture came from, and or how highly filtered it is, but I've never seen one like this...

I've never had a badis before are they like a wimpy cichlid, more like a barb, or???

 

[Magnum Man]

https://dansfish.com/product.detail/6817/Other-Live-Fish-Other-Live-Fish-Badis-badis-(Badis-badis)

... and yes I did see the 2nd picture, nothing like the center fold picture above

 

[GaryE]

I had them for a while. They are tiny - that's the biggest thing to know. They are active, very territorial, and a bit like tiny Cichlids. I took a piece of driftwood and drilled holes through it, which they held as territories. The large chunk of wood was an apartment complex for six of them, and they rarely wandered far.

If I got them again, I would use a 15 or 20 gallon tank, single species, well planted and full of hidey holes with openings at both ends. I would consider live food to be essential. When I had them, I didn't, and I'd consider my set up to have been unsuccessful as a result,

 

[Magnum Man]

they are listed as getting 2 - 2.5 inches, so similar to dwarf cichlids in size... I believe they are from India??? not sure if they thrive in hillstream conditions, or prefer warmer quiet waters ???

 

[GaryE]

Quieter waters. Not huge tanks or they vanish. Mine stuck very close to home and didn't range about. Again, I don't think this fish should be kept in a community.

 

[Innesfan]

Yes, they are subcontinent fish--India, Bangladesh etc, and as @GaryE stated, still water preferred and best kept alone. I'd add they greatly prefer live foods and often refuse anything dried. The less colorful one on the photos you linked to is female. They used to be called "chameleon fish" due to their rapid color changes. Here's Innes's famous color plate that relates to this:

 

[Gertrudae]

still water preferred and best kept alone.

Alone means a single species tank? I've learned they are best kept in groups with at least 6 individuals. More female than male.
Live food ist mandatory, best kept with Neocaridina as a permanent food source. Adult shrimps should survive but you have to restock them on a regular basis .

 

[Innesfan]

Alone means a single species tank?

Species tank, yes. As opposed to a mixed community.

 

[GaryE]

Beyond the fact they'd vanish in a community, they'd also not thrive. If they were community fish, we'd see these beauties in every fish store. Small, colourful...

I don't think neocaradina breeding alone would provide enough food.