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Red chameleonfish (Badis ruber) — Badidae

Red chameleonfish

Badis ruber
Family: Badidae

The Red chameleonfish (Badis ruber) is a freshwater fish of the family Badidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Red chameleonfish is a small perch-like fish (Badidae) from fresh water of Myanmar in Southeast Asia. The species grows to about 5 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 Red chameleonfish?

The Red chameleonfish has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly red-orange.

Where does the Red chameleonfish live?

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

How big does the Red chameleonfish get?

The Red chameleonfish grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Red chameleonfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Red chameleonfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Rode kameleonvis sourced
English name
Red chameleonfish sourced
Scientific name
Badis ruber
Family
Badidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
5.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
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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