Chameleon fish or badis-badis. Chameleon fish - peaceful, small, rare Aquarium fish chameleons
Homeland - clean rivers and stagnant reservoirs of the Indian Peninsula.
Description
They reach a size of 6 cm, females are smaller. The body is relatively low, laterally compressed, the back is slightly convex, the abdomen is somewhat concave, the head is relatively small, and the dorsal fin is long. This species has many geographical forms.
The fish got its name for its ability to change color (males are especially distinguished by this), which depends on mood, physiological state, environmental conditions and can be gray, gray-yellow, brownish, bluish, greenish or black with a violet-blue tint and a mosaic pattern of silvery, blue-black and reddish scales. The fish is either completely invisible on the ground, then suddenly darkens to the color of coal, or suddenly transverse stripes are clearly visible. Hiding in a cave where he protects his offspring, the male periodically emerges literally every time with a new shiny color. The back is olive to black-blue in color, its belly is greenish or bluish. A dark spot with a light edge is sometimes visible on the back. The fins are yellowish-green, bluish or dark blue. The caudal fin has a red or green stripe and a pinkish edge. Large head with a deep slit mouth. A thin black stripe runs from the mouth through the eye to the beginning of the tail. The color of the male is characterized by an iron sheen and frequent alternation of a wide range of colors. Its fins are more powerful than those of females and have elongated ends of the dorsal and anal fins; old males are somewhat bow-shaped, their abdomen is sunken. It is especially beautiful during spawning: dark brown, almost black, with shiny red, blue, and green alternating dots. The fins are bright blue with a pearlescent tint. Young fish often have 6-10 dark transverse stripes on their sides. Females are smaller, faded in color, and lack Blue colour in the fins, the abdomen is distinctly convex.
Get along with any non-predatory species. While the females dart back and forth all the time, exploring the aquarium, the males very quickly define their own small territory around one of the shelters and leave it only to feed. Males are territorial and aggressive towards each other; violent fights between them often end in death. A single male in a community aquarium is very aggressive, it is better to keep one male and several females, create several caves from the halves coconut. It can only be combined with similar, territorial inhabitants of the bottom in a large aquarium. Fish lead a secretive lifestyle, do not like the company of other species, it is better to keep them separately in aquariums with diffused lighting, with plenty of shelters and plants.
If the shelters are too deep, you are unlikely to be able to see your pets. Dense plants and small grottoes give the badis a feeling of complete security, and also do not allow them to completely hide from view, which is naturally characteristic of these fish. Requires fine sand soil. Stone structures and driftwood, providing a lot of shelter and at the same time intended to delimit the territory.
Water changes are carried out gradually, in small portions. They eat exclusively live food.
Breeding
They become sexually mature at 4-6 months. Spawning can take place in a community aquarium. The eggs are laid in the cavity of a flower pot or on its surface, as well as on stones covered by plants. Some males prepare spawning grounds in the sand in the form of small holes. The male takes care of the eggs and fry. If the brood is left completely in the aquarium, then, depending on the capacity of the aquarium itself, only some, stronger males who have allocated their territory develop normally. dH 5-20°; pH 6.0-7.5; T 20-26°C.
Badis Badis or Chameleon Fish (Badis badis) HAMILTON, 1822
The Latin name for the fish, Badis, is probably derived from the Bangla word (Bengali).
This species is sometimes sold under the trade name "chameleon fish" due to its ability to change color quickly, especially when cultured or stressed.
Order: Perciformes
Family: Badiaceae/Badidae
Range and Habitat
Natural habitats in the Ganges River system, from the Yamuna River in Himachal Pradesh, India, to its delta in Bangladesh. It is also found in tributaries of the Ganges in Nepal, while in India it is found in the Mahanadi river system in the states of Chhattisgarh and Orissa, as well as parts of Assam, including the city of Guwahati. National Park Kaziranga and the Dibru River basin.
The terrain neotype is wide (> 100m), shallow water (< 1м глубина), медленно движущийся поток воды, который течет через рисовые поля и не имеет много прибрежной растительности. Вода была описана как "умеренно мутная" и "коричневатая", дно покрытое илом, в котором растут некоторые (не указано) водные растения.
Descriptions of other capture sites also speak in favor of muddy water with a slow current and thickets of underwater vegetation, often associated with a continuous carpet of water lily leaves.
Size
Maximum standard length 50 - 60 mm.
Aquarium
One pair or a small group can be placed in an aquarium with a base measuring 80*30cm or more.
Badis Badis will thrive in a properly designed aquarium; using sand or gravel as a substrate plus some rounded rocks and cobbles/coarse pebbles to provide cover. Kinds aquarium plants, which can be grown attached to the decoration, can also be added if you wish, but this is not a necessary condition. Natural driftwood and branches, floating plants and dry leaves can also be used to decorate the aquarium, as long as the filtration and lighting should not be too strong.
Some cave-like scenery/grottoes must be included in the underwater landscape to act as potential spawning sites; many breeders use half a coconut shell or upside down ceramic pots with holes for access.
Water parameters
Temperature: 20 - 25°CHardness: 6 - 18° DGH
Behavior and Compatibility
This species is sedentary and inactive by nature, can be frightened and will not compete in feeding with larger or aggressive fish species. Of course, you should not keep it with territorial bottom-dwelling fish unless the aquarium is very large, and never keep it with other species of Badis, as hybridization may occur. It is worth noting that freshwater shrimp of the popular genera Caridina and Neocaridina can be prey of Badis Badis.Badis are a peaceful species, although they are best kept in a species aquarium. Badis are especially useful if you want to reduce the snail population if they are causing a problem in your aquarium. They're shy, tiny, tropical freshwater fish Considered to be one of the most underrated species in the aquarium hobby, they are neglected despite their spectacular coloring and uniqueness, reminiscent of dwarf cichlids, making them very interesting view, for maintenance and observation.
Peaceful and inactive, they should therefore be kept with similar peaceful, calm fish such as small Rasboras, Characins and Catfishes.
Chameleon fish (Badis badis) are not schooling fish as such, and rival males can be very aggressive towards each other, especially in limited space. In these cases, only one pair or one male and several females will need to be purchased, but in a spacious aquarium other groups can coexist as long as there is room for each male to establish his territory.
Well-planned cave/shelter placement can help in this regard; for example, do not try to group all available spawning areas in one area/location.
Nutrition
All species of Badis are micropredators, feeding on small aquatic crustaceans, worms, insect larvae and other zooplankton. In the aquarium they often refuse dried food and instead should be offered suitable sized live or frozen food such as Artemia, Daphnia or Koretra.
They are somewhat skittish and cautious eaters, and it is important to note that all species develop problems with obesity and become more susceptible to disease when fed a monotonous diet of bloodworms and tubifex, so they should be excluded from the daily diet.
Sexual Dimorphism
Females are smaller, less bright, lack blue pigmentation on the sides, and have a noticeably shorter and more rounded body than males.
Mature males have more elongated dorsal, anal and caudal fins.
Breeding
Representatives of this genus are shelter/caver spawning fish that form temporary pairs. It is better to exclude other types if you want to raise larger number fry, although in a well-chosen aquarium community some of them may survive. A pair or group of adults can be placed to spawn, but if multiple males are involved, be sure to provide each of them with a cave.
Water parameters in the spawning tank: dH > 10 °; pH 6.5-7.0; 25-27 °C.
IN wildlife, seasonal rains are one of the signs that usually signal the start of the breeding season. During the rainy season, water natural environment habitats become softer. You can duplicate this effect in your breeding tank through frequent changes (about 15 percent per day for breeding). Demineralized water will also help stimulate their seasonal spawning cycle. A decrease in barometric pressure is another natural trigger for spawning. In fact, many fish species will spawn during or before a storm/thunderstorm.During and before the spawning period, live food is preferred.
When they are ready to breed, rival males become increasingly aggressive and begin to show interest and courtship with females who happen to be in their territory. During this process, they show changes in coloration, the body begins to darken, becoming almost black with bright blue fins. Gagging is common, with the male literally trying to pull his mate into the cave. The ready female reciprocates, swims inside and spawning occurs, usually 30-100 eggs are laid.
After spawning, the female immediately swims away and the male takes full responsibility for the eggs and larvae, protecting the territory from uninvited guests and fanning the brood with its fins. Any other adult fish may be removed at this point, although this is not absolutely necessary. The larva hatches from the eggs usually after 2-3 days, will swim in another 6-8 days, and after another week or so the juveniles will begin to leave their cave. From this point on, the parent can begin to consider them as food, and it is better to transfer them to a separate aquarium. The fry lead a fairly sedentary lifestyle during the first few days, which means that microfood (ciliates, rotifers) is an ideal initial food, but as soon as they clearly/visibly begin to swim in the water column, Artemia nauplii can be introduced into the diet.
Badis Badis are a rare and colorful aquarium fish that are a great addition even to nano aquariums.
If properly maintained, Badis Badis or Chameleon Fish will live in an aquarium for 3 to 5 years.
note:
One of the most interesting things about our hobby is having a wide variety of fish. Many of these have been available for generations but have never received more than passing interest from many aquarists, perhaps because these fish tend to be hidden in corners or behind decorations in dealers' aquariums. These fish are often considered incidentals in the aquarium hobby.This is unfortunate because often these fish can be full of fascinating behaviors, beautiful colors, or interesting breeding habits that even a novice hobbyist will notice. One such often overlooked fish is the Chameleon Fish (Badis badis).
Nature has a lot of amazing things in store. Like, for example, this scarlet badis fish, which was not touched by the hand of the breeder. Red badis is a bright and rare guest in modern aquariums, as they only recently learned about this fish.
Habitat
Badis lives in India in clean streams, the bottom of which is covered with sand and often densely overgrown with plants. The water there is very soft and has a neutral reaction. In summer it can warm up to 30⁰C under the hot sun, and in winter it can cool down to 10⁰C.
Size
Red badis is a very small fish, males do not grow more than 2.5 cm, and females are even smaller.
Color
As often happens, all the admiring sighs of aquarists go to the males. Bright scarlet vertical stripes are superimposed on the silvery shiny body, and two more thin black strokes pass through the eye. The scales of the badis are quite large and each of them has a dark border, which creates an artistic oblique “mesh” on the body of the fish. The fins are also painted bright red, the dorsal and anal are edged with a thin light blue stripe. The same color highlights the rays of the fins, making them voluminous and shiny. Females are grayish-green; you can also see transverse stripes on their body, which are shorter than those of males and do not have an attractive scarlet color. Sometimes females have a slightly red tummy. The fins are transparent or gray, as if covered in haze, as are the eight stripes on the body.
Body Shape
The fish has an oblong body with a small head and a neat mouth, with big eyes. All fins of the badis are rounded, except for the pointed pectorals. The dorsal fin is long, and in males it is also wide - if the badis straightens it, the fin will be the same size as the entire body of the fish. In males pectoral fins large, with slightly protruding first rays. Females have smaller fins. Before spawning, their abdomen enlarges and is rounded at the rear.
Badis is suspicious and wary of its neighbors, so it is better to keep these fish in a species aquarium in a group in which females predominate. If you really want variety, add small characins or other small peaceful fish that will not claim a separate and permanent territory to the badis. They will also like a space densely planted with plants; the fish will feel comfortable and will no longer be afraid of their imaginary dangers. Males divide the territory of the aquarium into small zones, which they protect. The appearance of a female in this space is considered a marriage proposal, so in small aquarium A female who accidentally swims “into the house” of a male and refuses him can get a scolding. These fish stay in the middle and lower layers of water, rising to the surface only very a short time for food. Badis do not live and delight the aquarist for long, about a year.
Requirements
Temperature 24-26ºC, water can be soft or medium hard (10-20ºdGH). Some aquarists believe that these fish spawn better in slightly harder water. Despite their small size, badis are predators, so it is better to feed them with small live or special dry food. One male and two females need at least 10 liters of water. The fish are hardy and unpretentious, so they can be recommended to beginners.
Breeding
These fish spawn successfully in a general aquarium, but if you wish, you can put the sweet couple in a spawning tank. When the female is ready, she swims under a leaf or pot, where the male quickly finds her. He “hugs” the female from below in the same way as gouramis and other labyrinths do. At this time, the female sheds eggs, which are immediately fertilized. After a few seconds, everything ends, the fish disperse, and none of the parents remains at the spawning site. Later this process is repeated, and during breaks the male can pursue and even offend the female. By the way, re-laying can occur under a completely different leaf or even in an open place. Spawning usually occurs in the morning, the female lays a little eggs every day, so it can be difficult for an aquarist to catch the process itself, as well as to notice small eggs. The female lays the most eggs on the first day, then the number gradually decreases. These fish can eat their offspring, although not very actively, so it is better to put a special protective net on the bottom of the spawning tank. In a community aquarium, the fry are saved by Java moss. Badis eggs are very small, colorless, transparent and stick tightly to the substrate, leaf or soil - in general, wherever they land, they will remain there until full maturity; it will be very difficult to move them. The almost colorless transparent larvae hatch approximately on the second day and simply lie on their sides for some time. A little later, the fry turn over on their tummy, but are also in no hurry to swim, feeding on what floats right in front of their noses. The babies are fed first with live dust, ciliates, then Artemia naupilii and dry powder food especially for fry. Only after 9-10 days the offspring of the scarlet badis begin to swim a little. Sexual maturity is reached at the age of 4-5 months.
(Badis badis) is a beautiful dark blue fish, known to aquarists for several decades. People call it the chameleon fish. It is thanks to this species that the genus got its name. Today they are rarely found in hobbyist aquariums. Nevertheless, these calm, not too picky fish can be of interest not only to experienced aquarists, but also to beginners.
Initially, they were mistakenly classified as cichlids, although their closer relatives are representatives of the Nandidae family, to which they were also once classified, but later, on the basis of certain characteristics, they were separated into an independent genus of the new family Badidae.
They were brought to Europe at the beginning of the last century; German aquarists were the first Europeans to become acquainted with them. Soon they were successfully bred, forming a stable aquarium population.
For a long time it was believed that the habitat was limited to water bodies of the central and south india. But research conducted in recent decades has significantly expanded the area of their distribution, to which water bodies in the southeast of Pakistan and Thailand have been added, including the island of Phuket, well known to tourists. Representatives of the genus are found in Nepal, Myanmar, China and Bangladesh.
In nature, they inhabit standing or slowly flowing waters. Their natural biotopes are characterized low level water, an abundance of vegetation and driftwood.
An example of such a biotope is the small river Ghotigapga in western Bengal, which in some places can be easily forded. The current in the river is slow, and the water parameters are as follows: t=30°C, pH 6.4, GH 6°.
Badis badis is the most famous representative of the genus.
This small fish, growing up to 8 cm, received its common name for its unusual ability to change color depending on its mood, physiological state or conditions of detention.
The color scheme can vary over a wide range. The same individual, in different time, can be gray, yellowish, bluish, blue, brown or almost black with a purple tint and a mosaic motley pattern.
Based on the latest revision, scientific description Today there are about 14 species. Apparently the described species are only a small part of the genus Badis. Every year new, undescribed species appear. And if we take into account that the genus has a wide distribution area (from Thailand to India, Bangladesh and Nepal), which is becoming increasingly accessible, which in turn promises new discoveries in the near future.
For taxonomic reasons, they were combined into species groups based on various combinations of characters.
Below are descriptions of three such groups:
Burmese
The most major representatives genus (the length of males can reach 7-8 cm), but not the most capable of changing color. “Combat” coloring differs from everyday coloring only in the greater saturation of color specks and the appearance of dark wedge-shaped spots, the base directed towards the crest of the back, and the apex towards the abdominal area.
The size of females is 2-3 cm smaller, and their coloring is much more modest. The fins are almost colorless, and the state in which the fish are located has virtually no effect on their outfit.
Fights between males break out quite often, but are more of a ritual, non-contact nature, which does not result in any serious injuries. In captivity, fish behave quite casually, scurrying around the entire aquarium, using shelters only during spawning.
Siamese
These are a little smaller (males are 6 cm long, females are 3-4 cm long), but unlike the first ones, they are more consistent with their common name - chameleon fish.
The emotional state of the fish, their hierarchical position in the group and other factors have a dramatic effect on their coloration. The alpha male usually has the brightest and most contrasting coloring. Other males are painted somewhat paler, but their outfits also have gloss and sophistication. But the females are very modestly colored; the observer’s gaze usually does not linger on them.
Siamese males are more aggressive, they measure their strength with great passion, but even they do not get into serious fights; the winner quickly loses interest in the defeated opponent.
Siamese prefer bottom layers, and if we compare them with Burmese, they spend more time in shelters, especially males at the bottom of the hierarchical ladder. Females are more often found in the middle layers and near the surface.
Bengalis
Compared to others badisami, which they bear little resemblance to, they are simply dwarfs, the length of males is limited to three centimeters, and females are limited to two.
Representatives of the stronger sex are overly bright and impressive, unlike females which can hardly be seen in the aquarium. But unlike the first two, there are practically no fights between male Bengals. True, during the spawning period, males, in the heat of excitement, are capable of injuring the female.
Bengals prefer to stay near the surface, in thickets of long-stemmed plants with finely dissected foliage (cabombs, ambulia, pinnates, etc.).
Having read various publications, we can conclude that males are territorial and pugnacious. Brutal fights between them often end in the death or injury of one of the rivals. And you can keep them together only in a spacious aquarium, with an excess of shelter and females.
From the same sources it follows that they love twilight, they are timid, secretive, most spend time in shelters.
One can argue with such definitions, since their tendency towards shady corners does not correspond to reality. If there are zones in the aquarium with different lighting intensities, the vast majority prefer to stay in well-lit areas.
The notorious pugnacity is also greatly exaggerated.
It may only occur in small tanks where keeping two males can lead to negative consequences, at first their behavior is clearly competitive in nature, this continues until one of the rivals proves its superiority, after which the dominant male begins to pursue and oppress the weaker rival, which can ultimately lead to his death.
Females behave calmer, although conflicts sometimes arise between them.
Tournament fight between two males
In larger containers (from 200 liters) such problems do not occur. Several couples can coexist in them without conflict. Although shelters in the form of grottoes, crevices, caves in piles of stones, snags, dense thickets of plants along the perimeter of the aquarium will not hurt. They will be useful for both spawning pairs and “subordinate” males and juveniles.
So these small fish are quite peaceful. Males protect their small territory from the claims of neighbors and fellow tribesmen. During tournament fights, the color of the fish changes, becoming brighter, more contrasting, and the pattern is invariably updated. Fights between males are quite emotional, but are almost harmless in nature and end with the expulsion of the opponent from someone else's territory.
Quite unpretentious, quickly get used to different conditions, can live in both soft (4-6 dGH) and rather hard (up to 20 dGH) water with a pH of 6.5-7.5, with a temperature of 20 to 26 ° C.
Fish demonstrate and reveal their best qualities most fully in a relatively small species aquarium with a capacity of 50-70 liters, decorated in pastel colors. In which lighting should be dimmed by floating or long-stemmed plants. Under such conditions, the variability of fish color will be most noticeable.
Badis near the shelter
For successful maintenance, the water in the aquarium must be good quality. If some species need water that is close in its parameters to natural water, then in maintaining others you can take some liberties. In most natural bodies of water, the pH level is around 7 units or slightly less, and the hardness value is in the range of 3-4 dGH.
One should strive for such indicators only when breeding, although many species are able to reproduce in ordinary tap water with a pH of no more than 7.5 and a hardness not exceeding 8 dGH. Let us not forget, however, that the fish we are talking about we're talking about, most of them come from nature, so it would be logical, at least for the first time, to maintain water parameters characteristic of natural biotopes.
On average, 10 to 30% of the total volume of the aquarium needs to be replaced per week.
Due to their extensive range, the temperature in their biotopes can vary significantly. For example, in Thailand the water is usually warmer than in Nepal, and some areas of Myanmar experience occasional snowfall. For this reason, the keeping water should not be too warm.
The water temperature in natural biotopes depends on the time of year, so winter time it can drop to 15°C, and in summer rise to 25°C or one or two degrees higher. That is, the difference can be more than 10 degrees! These values can be considered extreme.
For most species, winter water temperatures can drop to just below 20°C. and in summer it rises to 25-27°C, which is the absolute maximum.
The water flow in the aquarium should be moderate, and for young individuals - slow. And since many species live in bodies of water with currents, the circulation of water in the aquarium will not harm them.
As for the size of the aquarium. For a pair or nest consisting of one male and two females, an aquarium 60 cm long (54 liters) is sufficient. For two pairs, you will need an aquarium already 80 cm long, and the likelihood of conflicts between males decreases in direct proportion to the volume of the tank.
A mandatory condition of keeping is the creation of numerous shelters in the aquarium: these can be dense thickets plants, piles of stones, coke shells, in which fish often spawn.
Badis near the shelter
Benefits from large quantity hiding places will soon become apparent. Pisces will quickly get used to the new environment, stop being afraid and show themselves at their best.
They fit ideally into a community of small, calm fish, where they occupy an area near the bottom. Basically, the territory of a couple or an adult male is limited to a small space near some kind of shelter: a coconut shell, driftwood, or a ceramic pot turned on its side.
In the presence of proportionate, peaceful neighbors who are not perceived badisami As a source of real or potential threat, fish behave relaxed, openly, moving freely throughout the aquarium, giving the observer the opportunity to thoroughly enjoy their peculiar behavior.
In order to get to know these interesting fish should not be allowed to grow aquatic flora to the front glass, and do not make the shelters too deep. Small grottoes and dense thickets provide the necessary sense of security at the same time, do not allow them to completely hide from view, which is natural for these fish.
While females swim throughout the aquarium, exploring its most hidden corners, males first of all occupy a small territory around one of the shelters and leave it only to feed.
Diet of badis
In this regard, they are quite picky, mainly consuming live food, while often agreeing only to bloodworms.
They completely refuse dry food even after a week of fasting.
They do not take the tubifex willingly unless they are very hungry. But with enormous appetite they eat fish and reels freed from their shells.
The appetite is very moderate. As a rule, they are not prone to overeating. In males, after a hearty meal, the abdomen becomes rounded, and the concavity of the body in the abdominal region, characteristic of their appearance, disappears. In females, especially sexually mature ones, curvaceous forms are observed both before and after feeding.
In a community aquarium, feeding should be given Special attention, especially if their neighbors are such nimble fish as tetras or rasboras. Slow ones often do not have time to feed. Therefore, you should make some effort and feed near their hiding places, otherwise they will be constantly hungry.
From poor feeding, fish quickly lose weight and may die. Excess feed is also harmful and can lead to obesity. Once or twice a week it is useful to arrange “fasting” days, thereby keeping the fish in good shape.
Badis - sexual dimorphism
They become sexually mature quite early, depending on the species, at 5-8 months of life. At this age, their length can be 2/3 of the nominal length.
Sexual dimorphism begins to appear even in immature individuals: before feeding, the male can be distinguished by his retracted abdomen, females are more rounded, not so brightly colored, their dorsal and anal fins do not have sharp endings.
A pair of badis in an aquarium
In addition to their bright outfit, larger dimensions and characteristic abdomen shape, males are distinguished by wider and higher anal and dorsal fins, which they are happy to show off to females.
Reproduction of badis in an aquarium
There are also many contradictions in information about breeding.
The hardness value 8dGH defined as the upper limit should not be taken too categorically.
They are undemanding to water quality and can spawn even in water with a hardness of about 20 dGH, although they feel better in water with a neutral or slightly acidic reaction that has passed through a peat filler.
Spawning in pairs, on a hard substrate, occurs in approximately the same way in most species.
The initiative often comes from the female; her first attempts to approach the male usually run into aggression on his part, despite this she pushes him again and again, already dressed in mating plumage. Finally the male responds to the female's efforts by wrapping his arms around her and turning her over. In this position, the couple can remain above the substrate for quite a long time, after which they release eggs and milt. After which everything starts all over again.
Spawning continues until the female’s entire supply of eggs is exhausted. During an almost hour-long spawning, the female lays 150-200 amber-colored eggs. The caviar is quite large (0.8-1 mm in diameter) and very sticky. It is almost impossible to tear them off the substrate without damaging them. There are very few unfertilized eggs in the clutch, and waste during incubation is also small.
After spawning, it is better to remove the female. The male is responsible for protecting the clutch of offspring. During this period, it also actively changes its color, surprising the observer with the variety of shades of color.
Unlike most cichlids and labyrinth fish, the male can hardly be called a caring father. All his care for the eggs is limited to fanning them with his fins.
Hatching of the larvae, depending on the temperature, occurs after 40 - 50 hours. The friendly hatching lasts no more than an hour. The larvae are 2.5 - 3 mm in size, at first they are practically motionless and can remain in the same place for hours.
When the water temperature in the spawning tank is 27-28 °C, on about 6-7 days the yolk sac of the larvae is absorbed and the larvae, which have grown to 4-5 mm, enter the fry stage, beginning to periodically break away from the substrate and try to swim in the water column. But only after a day do they become completely accustomed and begin to search for food.
If at this moment the male is still in the spawning area, then it’s time to remove him. Since some males do not react quite adequately to the spreading of their offspring and try too energetically to return the fry to their place, collecting them with their mouths.
Female badis at the entrance of a coconut shell
In principle, you can leave the male with the offspring for several weeks. Because adults are not inclined to eat their young.
The fry need very small live food, preferably rotifers, nematodes, brine shrimp or cyclops nauplii; feeding paramecia often and in moderate amounts at each meal also gives good results. The fry are inactive; in order to get enough food there must be a lot of food and it must be right in front of their nose.
A great danger to the life of the fry is their overfeeding, which quickly leads to water pollution, as a result of which the entire brood dies in a short period of time. Therefore, it is necessary to change the water and clean the bottom almost every day.
In a nursery aquarium with sandy soil, live plants, several snails and biological filtration, the risk of the fry dying is reduced.
The growth rate of the fry cannot be called fast; by the age of one month they barely reach 1 cm. After switching to feeding on crushed bloodworms, things go faster, as the fry become more dynamic. There is less food leftover and caring for the fry becomes easier.
They are becoming increasingly rare in amateur aquariums. It's a pity. After all, in their intelligence they are close to cichlids. Bright, impressive in their own way, interesting, and even not paying attention to their neighbors - why not an attractive object for general aquarium. In general, keeping and breeding is a real pleasure. Don’t deny yourself it and don’t believe untested horror stories.
Badis chameleon (badis badis) - approximate price in Russia
| Size | Average price per piece |
| Up to 2 cm (S) | 82 rub. |
| Up to 3 cm (M) | 238 rub. |
| Up to 4 cm (L) | 250 rub. |
Chameleon fish live in stagnant bodies of water in India. To Europe chameleon fish imported in 1904. They were known to us even before the revolution. Re-imported in 1950. The fish reach 8 cm, usually no more than 5-6 cm. Females are somewhat smaller than males. The genus Badis is widespread in Indian water bodies. The body is relatively low, laterally compressed, the back is slightly convex, the abdomen is somewhat concave, the head is relatively small, and the dorsal fin is long. This species has many geographical forms.
The male differs from the female in having pointed dorsal and anal fins. Your name chameleon fish received for permanent shift coloring, depending on the degree of irritation and conditions of detention. It is especially beautiful in the male during the breeding season. At this time, it becomes almost black with a greenish-blue metallic sheen, usually the color is grayish-blue with five transverse stripes of blue and red dots, iridescent in pearlescent color. Coloring chameleon fish changes almost continuously.
The fish are kept under the conditions described for the entire family. They can be kept with any peaceful fish, but it is better in a separate aquarium, where there are several flower pots or make shelters from plants and stones. Several pairs can be kept together in one aquarium. Optimal temperature water at a content of 20-25°, at dilution 28-30°. The female lays eggs in the amount of 40-100 eggs in a flower pot. After the end of spawning, the female is removed. The larvae hatch after 2-3 days. The male takes care of the offspring; 14 days after hatching the young, he should be removed. Feeding the fry is not difficult; at first they are fed with ciliates and tiny nauplii.
The Latin name for the fish is badis badis.
Another representative of the rheas is the stump fish.
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One of the most beautiful and most aggressive species sea fish triggerfish will terrorize any inhabitant of the aquarium, corals, and may simply swallow invertebrates. In natural conditions, it grows to an impressive 30 cm, aquarium triggerfish have difficulty...
Most members of the family atherinids common in the waters of the tropics and subtropics, much less in temperate latitudes. Usually atherinids are small fish up to 10 centimeters, living in the seas near the coast. Only a few species live permanently in...
Khara Khara is a rather unique dwarf catfish, representing a rare group of Asian catfish in the decorative aquarium industry of Russia. Originally from India, where it lives in streams with muddy water, soft ground and calm current. When reservoirs dry out, catfish burrow...
Ternetia caramel. Artificially colored thorns are called caramels. Another synonym for thorns multicolor. Water parameters ideal for containing caramel thorns: temperature 22-26 degrees, recommended hardness level no more than 20, acidity level 6.5-8....
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POPULAR TOPICS IN THE AQUARIUM FISH SECTION
“Ma-a-a-am, pa-a-ap, well, buy some fish!” - this is what children often ask in a pet store. Do not deny your child the pleasure of admiring the beauty of the underwater world...
sword bearer
The fish are native to Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras. Brought to Europe in 1909, they soon appeared in Russia. The article contains recommendations for keeping and breeding...