Flame Red Badis

Flame Red Badis (Dario hysginon) is a close relative of the Scarlet Badis that is noticeably larger and somewhat easier to keep. Males display vivid flame-red to deep crimson body coloration with iridescent highlights and a bold black spot on the dorsal fin — hysginon means 'scarlet' or 'red dye' in Ancient Greek, a name the fish earns fully. At up to 1.2 inches it is more substantial than the tiny Scarlet Badis, with a stronger feeding response that makes it more forgiving for aquarists new to the Dario group.

Feeding & Care Tip: Hikari Micro Pellets and Hikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Baby Brine Shrimp are the daily staples. Supplement with Hikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Tubifex Worms and Hikari Frozen Daphnia 2–3× per week. Newly hatched live baby brine shrimp are an excellent treat for conditioning and triggering breeding behavior. Feed in a calm tank — this species is a slow, deliberate feeder.

Native to Myanmar (Burma) and Bengal — slow-moving, heavily vegetated streams and pools with sandy or silty substrate. This species tolerates slightly more varied conditions than the Scarlet Badis and adapts more readily to aquarium life, but still requires the same fundamental setup: a densely planted nano aquarium with gentle filtration, fine substrate, and minimal competition at feeding time.

Keep one male per tank or one male per defined territory. Males are territorial with conspecifics — they will display to and attempt to fight other males through glass if they can see a rival. One male with two or three females is the ideal arrangement. Despite their micro-predator status, Dario species can coexist peacefully with carefully chosen tankmates. Small, fast-moving nano rasboras occupy different water zones and move too quickly to be threatened. Planted shrimp tanks also work well — adult shrimp are generally safe, but be aware that Dario species may prey on very small baby shrimp. Avoid any active feeders that will outcompete these slow, deliberate fish for food.

Egg-scatterer — spawns among fine-leaved plants or Java moss with no parental care. Males in breeding condition develop their most intense flame-red coloration. A larger and more confident feeder than the Scarlet Badis, making it a better first Dario for aquarists exploring this fascinating group. The critical feeding challenge with Dario species is their small mouth, slow feeding pace, and preference for moving food. Always feed in a calm aquarium and observe that all fish are actually eating — fast tankmates will steal food before Darios can respond.

Care & Ideal Parameters