Badis corycaeus

Overview

The northern Myanmar badid Badis corycaeus is deeper-bodied and darker than its close relative Badis pyema. Slow feeding, a retiring manner, and strong rivalry between males favor a dedicated aquarium where breeding and brood care can be observed carefully.

Distribution & habitat

Records are confined to the upper Ayeyarwady basin, including streams near Myitkyina in Kachin State and Lake Indawgyi.

The type stream crosses secondary forest and farmland. During the dry season it is about 1 m deep, with clear water over sand and pebbles, grassy banks, and submerged Cryptocoryne. This fish uses flowing margins, while Badis kyar occupies faster central water and Dario hysginon remains in still edge pools. Coexistence therefore involves distinct microhabitats.

In the lake it favors densely vegetated margins over soft clay mixed with decomposing plants. It is particularly abundant near the southern Nant Yen Khan Chaung inlet, where some current remains.

Aquarium setup

Build multiple retreats with sand or gravel, smooth stones, roots, and branches. Floating cover and leaves are useful, and attached Microsorum, Taxiphyllum, or Anubias can be added without requiring strong light or forceful filtration.

Use coconut shells or accessible clay pots as caves, distributing them among separate areas for different males. Seasonal temperature variation is tolerated, but heating can be omitted only where room conditions stay suitable. Temperatures toward the upper part of the normal range can encourage breeding. Near-neutral water should still be soft; pH does not imply high hardness.

Diet & feeding

The genus takes small crustaceans, worms, insect larvae, and other zooplankton, often rejecting dry foods initially. Provide small live or frozen Artemia, Daphnia, and similar prey, checking that deliberate feeders obtain enough.

Bloodworms and Tubifex carry concerns about obesity and increased health problems in these fishes. Avoid relying on their appeal as a substitute for a suitable regular menu.

Behaviour & compatibility

A species aquarium is preferable. This is not a shoaling fish: use a pair or one male with several females in limited space. Several males need a larger layout with independent territories and broken sight lines.

If companions are included, select peaceful upper-water fishes. Avoid large, active, strongly competitive feeders and similar-looking territorial bottom dwellers. Keep different Badis species apart because hybridization is possible. Ornamental shrimp, especially their young, may be preyed upon.

Sexual dimorphism

Females are smaller, duller, and rounder in outline. Adult males are more elongated and have slightly extended fins.

Breeding

Members of the genus form temporary pairs and spawn in caves, with males providing sole care. For fry production, exclude other species, condition the adults, and give each male a cave. Intensified color and rivalry accompany courtship, sometimes including mouth-locking as a male draws the female toward shelter.

Typical generic accounts describe 30–100 eggs, followed by the male driving away the female and guarding and fanning the brood. Eggs hatch in about two to three days. Fry become free-swimming around six to eight days old and can remain near the cave for another week.

Adults, including the father, may then begin eating dispersing young, so separation becomes useful. Feed initially inactive fry microworms, adding Artemia nauplii when they swim in the water column. Follow observed development and parental behavior rather than a calendar alone.

Notes

Like Badis pyema, it has an eyespot at the tail base, but its body is substantially deeper and darker. Locality and overall proportions are stronger identification aids than one breeding-color display. Historical genus and species counts are not permanent taxonomic facts.