Feeding Scarlet Badis can be complicated because they are extremely strict carnivorous fish. They generally will never accept any dry foods like flakes or pellets. These fish are extremely easy to have tankmates out-compete them for food. These fish in the wild hunt microfauna and use surprise attacks to get their prey. This means their feeding style is normally very passive and will not be extremely aggressive during their feeding time. This makes it easy for all the other fish to grab the food before they get a bite. 

Why Reasons Why It is Complicated To Feed A Scarlet Badis

1. Microscopic Food Requirements: Scarlet Badis have very small mouths and require tiny food particles. They primarily feed on small live foods like microorganisms, insect larvae, and tiny crustaceans. Providing suitable live or frozen foods of appropriate size can be challenging to find and maintain.
2. Picky Eaters: Scarlet Badis can be quite selective eaters. They may not readily accept prepared or commercially available fish foods. Getting them to recognize and consume the food you offer can be difficult, especially if they are accustomed to hunting small live prey in their natural habitat.
3. Shyness and Competition: Scarlet Badis are known to be shy and secretive fish. In a community tank, they might not compete well for food with more active and assertive fish. Larger or more aggressive tankmates might consume food before the Scarlet Badis have a chance to eat.
4. Behavioral Considerations: Scarlet Badis are bottom-dwellers and tend to search for food in the substrate or among plants. This behavior can make it harder to observe their feeding habits and ensure they are getting enough nutrition.
5. Water Quality and Conditions: These fish are sensitive to water quality and environmental conditions. If the water parameters are not suitable, Scarlet Badis might refuse to eat. It's important to maintain proper water conditions to keep them healthy and encourage their appetite.
6. Size of Food: As previously mentioned, their small mouth size limits the types of food they can consume. This means that the options for providing appropriate-sized food are relatively restricted.
7. Preference for Live Prey: Scarlet Badis are known to have a strong preference for live prey due to their natural hunting instincts. Convincing them to accept non-live foods can be a challenge.
8. Tank Setup: The layout and design of the aquarium can affect their feeding behavior. If there aren't enough hiding places or suitable plants for them to explore and hunt in, they might be less active and engaged in searching for food.
9. Dim Lighting: Scarlet Badis are accustomed to dimly lit environments in their natural habitat. Bright lighting in the aquarium can make them feel exposed and uncomfortable, which might impact their willingness to eat.
10. Specialized Feeding Strategies: Some experienced fishkeepers have found success by employing more specialized feeding strategies, such as "target feeding" using a pipette or baster to place food directly in front of individual fish.

How do Scarlet Badis Feed In Their Wild Habitat?

In their natural habitat, Scarlet Badis (Dario dario) inhabit slow-moving waters, shallow streams, and rice paddies in northern India and Bangladesh. Understanding their feeding habits in the wild can provide valuable insights into how to feed them in captivity.

1. Microscopic and Small Prey:

   • Scarlet Badis are primarily carnivorous and feed on a variety of small live organisms in their natural environment. Their diet includes tiny insects, insect larvae, small crustaceans, and microorganisms.

2. Hunting Behavior:

   • They are skilled hunters that rely on their excellent vision and precision to locate and capture their prey. Their small size and specialized mouth structure allow them to catch and consume tiny organisms efficiently.

3. Substrate and Plant Foraging:

   • Scarlet Badis are bottom-dwellers and tend to forage for food in the substrate and among aquatic plants. They use their small mouths to pick and sift through the substrate, hunting for hidden prey.

4. Dawn and Dusk Activity:

   • These fish are most active during the early morning and late afternoon hours. During these times, they venture out from their hiding places to search for food in the dimly lit environment.

5. Opportunistic Feeders:

   • In their natural habitat, Scarlet Badis are opportunistic feeders, meaning they take advantage of any available food sources. They may feed on whatever small organisms are present in their environment.

6. Specialized Diet:

   • Their diet is heavily dependent on the presence of small live prey. They are adapted to consuming these microorganisms, and their digestive systems are suited for processing such foods.

Based on these natural feeding habits, replicating their diet in captivity involves providing live and frozen foods that closely resemble their natural prey. Offering small live insects, insect larvae, and other tiny organisms will help satisfy their dietary needs and encourage their hunting instincts.

Remember that their small size, selective feeding habits, and sensitivity to their environment can make feeding Scarlet Badis a bit challenging. It's important to create an environment that supports their natural behaviors and to be patient while you figure out their preferences and requirements in your aquarium.

Foods Dario Dario will eat in your home aquarium

1. Live Daphnia:

   • Cultured live daphnia are small, nutritious crustaceans that Scarlet Badis will readily consume. Daphnia are an excellent source of protein and can stimulate their natural hunting behavior.

2. Live Brine Shrimp:

   • Brine shrimp are a staple in the aquarium industry. Cultured live brine shrimp are rich in protein and can be a valuable part of your Scarlet Badis' diet.

3. Micro Worms:

   • Microworms are tiny nematodes that Scarlet Badis can easily eat due to their small size. They are a suitable option for feeding smaller individuals or picky eaters.

4. Cultured Infusoria:

   • Infusoria are microscopic aquatic organisms that can be cultivated in a culture setup. They are often used as a first food for fry and small fish due to their size and nutritional value.

5. Live Grindal Worms:

   • Grindal worms are small, white, soil-dwelling worms that are easy to culture and can provide a continuous source of live food.

6. Cultured Paramecium:

   • Paramecium are single-celled organisms that Scarlet Badis can feed on. Cultivating paramecium can be challenging, but they are a natural and nutritious option.

7. Frozen Foods:

   • In addition, to live foods, aquacultured frozen foods such as frozen daphnia, frozen brine shrimp, and other small frozen organisms can also be fed to Scarlet Badis.

8. Live Vinegar eels

   • Vinegar (Turbatrix aceti) eels are small enough to be suitable for the mouth size of Scarlet Badis, and their movement in the water can attract the fish's attention and stimulate their natural hunting behavior. However, it's important to note that vinegar eels are relatively low in protein and may not provide all the essential nutrients that Scarlet Badis need for a balanced diet. Therefore, it's recommended to offer a variety of live and frozen foods to ensure that your Scarlet Badis receive proper nutrition.

9. Live Blackworms 

   • Dario dario are known to readily eat blackworms (Lumbriculus variegatus) if they are offered as a food source. Blackworms are a popular live food option in the aquarium hobby due to their high nutritional value and the fact that many fish species find them very enticing.

Are Scarlet Badis Good fish for beginners?

It is not recommended for beginner hobbyist to keep Scarlet Badis (Dario dario). This fish has complicated dietary needed, difficult community fish compatibility and specific fish tank requirements that other fish may not like. 

In conclusion, Scarlet Badis (Dario dario) are intriguing and captivating fish known for their vibrant colors and unique behaviors. However, they are not recommended for beginner aquarium hobbyists due to their specialized care requirements and sensitive nature. Their distinct characteristics, including dietary preferences, feeding behavior, tank setup needs, water quality sensitivity, shyness, and specific tank mates, make them better suited for experienced enthusiasts who can provide the attention and expertise necessary to meet their needs.

The challenges associated with sourcing appropriate live and frozen foods, creating the right tank environment, maintaining water quality, and addressing potential health issues may overwhelm newcomers to the hobby. Instead, beginners are encouraged to start with fish species that are hardier, less demanding, and more forgiving of a range of conditions. As aquarists gain knowledge and confidence through their experiences, they can consider adding Scarlet Badis to their repertoire in the future. Ultimately, the successful care of these captivating fish requires a foundation of understanding and expertise that is best built over time in the aquarium hobby. If you would like to learn more about the Scarlet Badis click here.