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Scarlet badis (Dario dario) — Badidae

Scarlet badis

Dario dario
Family: Badidae

The Scarlet badis (Dario dario) is a freshwater fish of the family Badidae that grows up to 2 cm.

Length
1.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Depth
0.0–1.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: India
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Scarlet badis is a tiny perch-like fish (Badidae) from fresh water of northeastern India. The species grows to about 1.5 cm; males are fiery red with blue vertical stripes, females duller. As a bottom-dweller it shelters among dense water plants of slow-flowing, clear streams and snaps at minute invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans and is popular in the aquarium trade.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Scarlet badis?

The Scarlet badis has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly red-orange.

Where does the Scarlet badis live?

The Scarlet badis lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Asia: India

How big does the Scarlet badis get?

The Scarlet badis grows to a maximum of about 2 cm.

Is the Scarlet badis dangerous to humans?

No, the Scarlet badis is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Scarlet badis edible?

Yes, the Scarlet badis is commonly eaten.

More photos

Scarlet badis (Dario dario) — Badidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Kyuu, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Scarlet badis (Dario dario) — Badidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — ATuin-hek at English Wikipedia (CC0)
Scarlet badis (Dario dario) — Badidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Zarek, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Scarlet badis (Dario dario) — Badidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) M., some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Scarlet badis sourced
Scientific name
Dario dario
Family
Badidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
1.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
1.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: India sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes sourced
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Dario

More from the family Badidae

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