Rose Badis (Dario kajal) CareSheet

The Rose Badis (Dario kajal) is a tiny member of the perch family that is only found in a small region in India. This unusual fish resembles the Rose Badis (Dario kajal) in appearance, but has a rose pink colouring and black "eyeliner" lines on its face. Males are usually more brighter in color than females. Males of the Rose Badis typically show even more extreme colors as they mature, particularly when contending for female attention.

The Rose Badis is a micropredator that requires a meaty diet. Because many specimens may reject dry flake and pellet feeds, live and frozen foods should be supplied on a regular basis. This fish consumes a variety of tiny worms, crustaceans, insects, and insect larvae in the wild. Cyclops, glassworms, enhanced Artemia, and Daphnia are good staple foods in the aquarium. If no other suitable meals are available, bloodworms and Tubifex worms may be eaten on occasion, but they should be avoided in general since they can cause fat and illness in badis species.

Plants, rockwork, and driftwood should be plentiful in the Rose Badis' aquarium. This species requires a lot of shelter to promote maximum activity and little stress. The male will defend the eggs and newly born fry during spawning, but any adults should be removed thereafter to prevent cannibalism of the fry by the parents. This is a subtropical fish, and if housed in water that is too warm, it will lose its colour and become more susceptible to illness.

The Rose Badis thrives in a planted aquarium with mild to moderate water flow and is typically tranquil with other peaceful fish species. Despite the fact that it is a micropredator, its tiny size allows it to be safe around almost any fish or invertebrate that is too big to be considered prey. Some invertebrates, such as snails and bigger shrimp, may be kept with it, although it will devour the fry and juveniles of Caridina shrimp and Neocaridina shrimp, as well as any other tiny invertebrates that fit in its mouth. Because the Rose Badis is more cautious than more loud fish, it is important to ensure that it is not outcompeted for food. Because it has the potential to hybridize with other Badis species, caution should be used while keeping it with the Rose Badis (Dario kajal).

Requirements for keeping Dario kajal

Temperature: 61° - 75° F
pH: 6.5 - 7.5
KH: 2 - 6 dKH
Minimum tank size: 15+ gallons for a group. Dominant males will bully other males in a small tank.
Origin: Northern Myanmar
Average adult size: .8 inch