Meet The Scarlet Badis

Dario dario: The Jewel of Indian Waters

Among the tiny treasures of India’s freshwater biodiversity, few fish capture the imagination of aquarists like the Scarlet Badis (Dario dario). This brilliantly colored, nano-sized fish, native to slow-moving streams and ponds in eastern India, is a favorite among planted tank enthusiasts and species-specific keepers.

Despite its small size, the Scarlet Badis is full of character, displaying vibrant hues of red and blue, intricate fin patterns, and fascinating territorial behaviors. However, it remains an underrated species in the hobby, often overlooked due to its delicate feeding requirements. In this article, we dive into the world of Dario dario—its habitat, care needs, and why it deserves more attention from nano tank keepers.

Native Habitat: A Jewel from Eastern India

The Scarlet Badis is endemic to West Bengal and Assam, particularly in the Brahmaputra River basin. It thrives in shallow, slow-moving waters such as floodplains, ditches, and streams with dense aquatic vegetation and leaf litter. These environments provide them with ample hiding spots and access to tiny invertebrates, their primary diet.

Unlike fast-flowing rivers where larger barbs and loaches dominate, the habitat of Dario dario is more tranquil, resembling the perfect biotope for a small, inquisitive fish to explore. The soft, slightly acidic to neutral water (pH 6.5-7.5) with moderate temperatures (22-27°C) makes it an ideal candidate for a well-maintained, natural-style aquarium.

Aquarium Care: Small But Demanding

The Scarlet Badis is best suited for nano or species-specific aquariums. While they can live in community tanks, their shy and peaceful nature makes them vulnerable to larger or more aggressive species.

Tank Requirements:

Tank Size: Minimum 10 gallons (for a pair or small group)
Substrate & Decor: Sand or fine gravel, driftwood, leaf litter, and plants like Cryptocoryne, Rotala, and Java Fern for cover.
Filtration: Sponge filters or gentle flow filters to avoid excessive water movement.
Water Parameters:

• Temperature: 22-27°C
• pH: 6.5-7.5
• Hardness: Soft to moderate

Tankmates:

Due to their timid nature, Scarlet Badis should be housed with non-aggressive species. Good tankmates include:

• Small rasboras (e.g., Chili Rasboras)
• Dwarf shrimp (Neocaridina, Caridina – though they may prey on shrimplets)
• Snails (e.g., Nerite snails for algae control)

Avoid fast-swimming or fin-nipping fish like larger danios and barbs, as they can stress the Scarlet Badis.

Diet: The Biggest Challenge

One of the reasons Dario dario is considered a challenging fish is its reluctance to accept dry or frozen foods. Being a micropredator, it thrives on live foods such as:

• Daphnia
• Moina
• Baby brine shrimp
• Microworms
• Grindal worms

Some individuals may accept frozen foods over time, but live foods remain the best option to maintain their health and coloration.

Behavior & Breeding

Unlike their distant gourami relatives, Scarlet Badis do not have labyrinth organs and rely entirely on gill respiration. They are territorial, with males displaying vivid courtship dances and spreading their fins to impress females.

Breeding Setup:

• A separate tank with plenty of plants and hiding spots.
• Conditioning the pair with live foods.
• Males will establish a territory where spawning occurs, typically inside a cave or under a leaf.
• After laying eggs, the female should be removed, as the male guards the eggs.

The tiny fry require infusoria and microworms as their first foods.

Why Keep Scarlet Badis?

Perfect for aquascaped nano tanks
Fascinating behaviors and striking coloration
A rewarding challenge for dedicated aquarists

While they require more effort, their unique beauty and captivating nature make them one of the most rewarding fish to keep in the right conditions.

Snippets from NAF 2025

Nature Aquarium Festival 2025 & TGIAA 2025

I had the pleasure of being part of the NAF 2025 celebrations in Bengaluru on 22nd February. This annual event brings together the aquascaping community from all over India, and it is an event to remember.

A highlight of the festival was the announcement of the winners of The Great Indian Aquascaping Contest (TGIAC) 2024 / The Great Indian Aquascaping Awards 2025. The top honors were awarded to:​

• Champion: Mr. Durvesh Gaikar​
• 2nd Place: Mr. Nabiyal Chenthaparambil​
• 3rd Place: Mr. Somaraj Roychoudhury​

These aquascapers were recognized for their exceptional creativity and skill in crafting aquatic landscapes.

The festival also featured workshops and demonstrations by renowned aquascaping artists, providing attendees with insights into advanced techniques and design principles. The event served as a platform for enthusiasts to connect, learn, and draw inspiration from the best in the field.

One of the main highlights of the evening was the live aquascaping session by Adip Sajjan Raj, where he scaped the recently NA Mini,the world's smallest Nature Aquarium.

Want to see your planted aquarium featured in The Weekend Aquarist magazine? Here’s your chance!

We’re inviting all aquascaping hobbyists to share ONE stunning photo of their planted aquarium and tag @theweekendaquarist on Instagram. The Top 3 Winning Photos will be featured in our March Edition of The Weekend Aquarist Magazine!

How to Enter:
1️. Post a clear, high-quality photo of your planted aquarium on Instagram. (No collages, no multiple images)
2️.Tag @theweekendaquarist in your post and use #TWAPlantedTankFeature in the caption.
3️. In the caption, share these details about your setup:

• Tank size (in liters/gallons)
• CO₂ or Non-CO₂ setup
• List of plants used
• Fish & invertebrates in the tank
• Filtration & lighting details (optional but recommended)

Rules & Guidelines:
- Originality is a must – No stock images, reposts, or AI-generated photos.
- No photo modifications – Only natural colors, no excessive editing, filters, or watermarks.
- Entries close on 15th March 2025. Winners will be announced in the March edition!

Showcase your creativity and passion for aquascaping to the world!

Tag your aquascaper friends, and let’s make this a celebration of planted tanks!