Badis ferrarisi

Overview

A row of usually eleven short dark bars along the flank, beginning behind the gill cover, makes Badis ferrarisi relatively distinctive. It is slow and retiring but males defend space. A dedicated aquarium allows closer attention to feeding and reproduction.

Distribution & habitat

It is confined to Myanmar's Ayeyarwady drainage, although the full range remains unclear. Records include the middle basin and northern tributary areas of the Chindwin. The type specimens were bought in a Kalaymyo market, which does not establish an exact collection locality. Occurrence in the Myittha drainage has also been reported.

Known habitats include shallow, slow sandy streams with dense marginal growth, sometimes without submerged plants, and near-neutral water. A collection about 46 km north of Kalaymyo came from a vegetation-bordered pool in a small Yu-drainage stream flowing over sand and stones.

Aquarium setup

Use sand or gravel, smooth rocks, roots, and branches to create retreats. Leaves and floating cover are useful, while attached Microsorum, Taxiphyllum, or Anubias are optional. Neither lighting nor filtration needs to be forceful.

Give each male a defendable cave-like space, using coconut shells or clay pots with entrances if desired. Separate the caves and interrupt sight lines instead of concentrating all suitable sites in one corner.

Seasonal temperatures are tolerated, and year-round heating may be unnecessary where room conditions remain appropriate. Breeding can be encouraged toward the warmer part of the normal range. Maintain soft water rather than assuming that near-neutral pH requires hard conditions.

Diet & feeding

The genus captures small aquatic crustaceans, worms, insect larvae, and zooplankton. Dry foods may be rejected, so provide regular small live or frozen Artemia, Daphnia, and similar prey. Ensure that slow individuals obtain food before companions take it.

Bloodworms and Tubifex are associated with obesity and health problems. Exclude them from the routine menu rather than allowing short-term appetite to justify frequent feeding.

Behaviour & compatibility

Use a pair or one male with several females in restricted space. It is not a shoaling fish. Multiple males need separate territories, cover, and dispersed caves.

If a community is attempted, choose peaceful upper-water fishes that do not dominate meals. Avoid large, active companions and similar territorial bottom dwellers. Different Badis species should remain separate because hybridization is possible. Ornamental shrimp, particularly young ones, may be eaten.

Sexual dimorphism

Females are smaller, less vividly patterned, and rounder in profile. Adult males are more elongated with slightly extended fins.

Breeding

Aquarium reproduction of this species was recorded in 2007. The genus generally forms temporary pairs for cave spawning, with males providing care. A dedicated breeding arrangement and a separate cave for each male are preferable for raising young.

Conditioning with live and frozen foods precedes stronger color, increasing rivalry, and courtship that may include mouth-locking while a male draws the female into shelter. Typical generic accounts describe batches of roughly 30–100 eggs. The female is expelled afterward, leaving the male to guard and fan them.

Hatching occurs in about two to three days. Fry become free-swimming around six to eight days old and may remain near the cave for another week. Adults, including the father, can eat them after they disperse, making separation advisable. Begin with microworms and add Artemia nauplii once the young swim visibly in the water column.

Notes

Identification should emphasize the series of short dark flank bars, usually around eleven, rather than a single moment's coloration.