Black Tiger Badis Care Guide

Dario sp. 'Myanmar'

Semi-AggressiveModerateFreshwater
Max Size
3.0 cm / 1.2"
Temperature
22–26°C (72–79°F)
pH Range
6.0 – 7.5
Min Tank Size
20L (5 gal)
Min Group Size
Can be kept alone
Tank Level
Bottom-Mid
Origin
Asia
Temperament
Semi-Aggressive
Difficulty
Moderate
Breeding Difficulty
Moderate

Diet

Carnivorous; they prefer live or frozen microfoods like daphnia, brine shrimp, and mosquito larvae.

Community Compatibility

Small peaceful fish or other non-aggressive microcichlids; provide plants and caves to reduce aggression.

Good to Know

Black Tiger Badis are tiny hunters that actively search for small live foods among plants and crevices.

Gender Differences

Males are more colorful with bold stripes; females are smaller, duller, and rounder.

About the Black Tiger Badis

If stealth wore stripes, it would be a Black Tiger Badis gliding silently among leaves and rocks. Dario sp. 'Myanmar' may be tiny—barely larger than a thumbnail—but its personality is anything but small. Its dark, bold stripes give it a fierce, almost regal appearance, and every careful flick of its fins or sudden dart to catch a meal feels like a carefully staged performance.

This species thrives on subtlety. Males, in particular, can sit for long stretches surveying their surroundings, then suddenly erupt in a display of color and movement that commands attention. Watching them interact with each other is like observing a miniature drama: cautious advances, territorial flares, and occasional displays of dominance that are all magnified by their striking tiger-like pattern.

Despite their predatory instincts, Black Tiger Badis are endlessly charming to those who pay attention. They reward patient observation with quirky behaviors, tiny bursts of energy, and an expressive presence that makes them feel larger than their tiny size suggests. In a planted tank, these little tigers are living proof that charisma isn’t about scale—it’s about attitude, precision, and the quiet drama that unfolds in miniature.

Stock Black Tiger Badis in Your Tank

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