Scarlet badis

The scarlet badis is one of the smallest known percomorph fish, a member of the family Badidae native to slow, heavily vegetated streams in the Brahmaputra basin of India. Mature males are a vivid scarlet-red crossed by shimmering blue bars and fin edges, while females are smaller and drab grayish. It is a shy, micro-predatory fish that can be territorial for its size, males staking out small areas among plants. It is best kept in a species tank or a very peaceful nano community, with more females than males and plenty of visual barriers to reduce squabbling. A densely planted aquarium with gentle flow, hiding spots, and calm tankmates suits it best. It is a fussy feeder that generally refuses dry foods, requiring small live or frozen foods such as baby brine shrimp, daphnia, cyclops, and microworms. It will breed readily in mature planted tanks, though fry need infusoria-sized foods.