Blue Perch (Badis badis)
| Blue Perch Badis badis | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Blue Perch |
| Name Lat. | Badis badis |
| Family | Chameleonfishes |
| Family lat. | Badidae |
| Order | Labyrinth Fishes |
| Order lat. | Anabantiformes |
| Origin | Southeast Asia |
| Habitat | Rivers |
| Diet | Carnivore |
| pH | 6.0-8.0 |
| Behavior | ♂ territorial |
| Keeping | Pair, group |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Reproduction | Cave spawner |
| Breeding | Simple |
| Life Span | 3-5 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 7 cm |
| Temperature | 23-26 °C |
| Hardness | 2-20 °dH |
| Aquarium | ~ 120 l |
| US Units | |
| Size | 2.8" |
| Temperature | 73-79 °F |
| Hardness | 36-356 ppm |
| Aquarium | ~ 30 gal |
Distribution and habitat
The distribution range of the bluefish extends from Pakistan to India, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Nepal. There they live in the catchment areas of large rivers, such as the Ganges, Mahanadi River and Brahmaputra, as well as in slow-flowing, stagnant and weedy small waters.
Maintenance
The aquarium should have dense planting, with plenty of hiding places, such as roots, stone caves, bamboo tubes or halved coconuts and free swimming space. A dark substrate and some subdued light (floating plant cover) are ideal
No ammonia, ammonium and nitrite should be detectable, the nitrate value should not exceed 100 mg/l. To ensure the water quality and oxygen content, a filter and heater adapted to the aquarium size is required, as well as lighting for the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals.
Diet
The food supply consists of live food, such as daphnia, cyclops, artemia, mysis, tubifex and red mosquito larvae, which are also accepted in frozen form without problems, as well as commercially available frozen special food mixtures. Dry food (flakes, granules) is hardly accepted
Regular and varied feeding promotes health and prevents deficiency symptoms. Only feed as much as is eaten immediately (in a maximum of 10 minutes).
Behaviour and compatibility
They should be kept in pairs or groups. The otherwise quite peaceful fish form small territories that are consistently defended, so keeping several pairs or groups is only recommended in a larger and richly structured tank. In a community tank they behave less territorial than in a species tank. They should not be socialized with other overly lively fish.
Basically, only compatible fish species with similar demands on water quality and water temperature should be socialized.
Sex dimorphism
The male is more colorful and easily recognized by its inward curved (concave) ventral line. The females are smaller and not so intensely colored.
Reproduction and breeding
The females spawn 30-100 eggs in small caves (cave breeders). The male takes over the brood care and guards the larvae, which hatch after 2-3 days and swim free after a maximum of 7 days.
Fry must be fed several times a day with special rearing food (cyclops or Artemia nauplii). In a community tank breeding is hardly possible, because the fry are easy prey.
Important
The well-being of the fish should be checked regularly. The temperature should be checked daily, the pH, hardness and nitrate value at least every 14 days. A regular partial water change is recommended, even if the pollutant load has not yet reached the upper limit. Sudden changes in water quality should be avoided. Newly introduced fish must be accustomed slowly to the water in the aquarium.
Further literature can be found in your pet store.
References
Text: Werner Winter; Image: petdata
Source: BMELV (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); RIEHL & BAENSCH (2006): Aquarien Atlas Bd. 1, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch
- Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF