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Khwae chameleonfish (Badis khwae) — Badidae

Khwae chameleonfish

Badis khwae
Family: Badidae

The Khwae chameleonfish (Badis khwae) is a freshwater fish of the family Badidae that grows up to 3 cm.

Length
2.9 cm
Water
Freshwater
Depth
0.0–2.0 m
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Khwae chameleonfish is a small perch-like fish (Badidae) from fresh water of western Thailand. The species grows to about 3 cm and has a stocky body that can rapidly change colour and pattern, hence the nickname chameleonfish. As a bottom-dweller it shelters among plants, roots and leaf litter of slow-flowing water and snaps at small invertebrates and larvae. It is a cave brooder. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Khwae chameleonfish?

The Khwae chameleonfish has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Khwae chameleonfish live?

The Khwae chameleonfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Khwae chameleonfish get?

The Khwae chameleonfish grows to a maximum of about 3 cm.

Is the Khwae chameleonfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Khwae chameleonfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Khwae-kameleonvis sourced
English name
Khwae chameleonfish sourced
Scientific name
Badis khwae
Family
Badidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
2.9 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
2.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Badis

More from the family Badidae

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