Blue badis

The blue badis (Badis badis) is a small freshwater fish of the family Badidae, native to slow-moving waters of the Ganges and Brahmaputra basins in South Asia. It is sometimes called the chameleon fish for its ability to shift color rapidly, showing blues, reds, and greys depending on mood and condition. Males are more colorful, especially when displaying. It is a shy, retiring fish that is peaceful toward most tankmates but territorial toward its own kind, with males defending small caves. It does best in a quiet tank without boisterous competitors. A well-planted aquarium with numerous caves, driftwood, and gentle flow suits its secretive nature. It often ignores flake food and prefers small live or frozen foods such as bloodworms, brine shrimp, and daphnia. Patience is needed to feed it properly. It is a cave spawner, with the male guarding eggs, and can be bred in a well-structured, quiet tank.