Compatability Question

[buffalogal]

Hi all. My first time posting over here. I wasn't sure if this was an oddball or killi question, but I'd like your advice.

I have a 5.5 gallon w/ sponge filter and a submersible heater and a tight lid (obviously!) with a pair of A. australe gold. When I got them at my lfs this week they had a community tank w/ scarlet badis (dario dario) I would love to get a tiny little male for this tank. The killi are small, but a lot bigger than the baby badis. Would one work in the tank if I add some fake plants to seperate territories and because the australe are more mid level and the badis more top level? The tank is bare bones at the moment, but I have plans for lovely little tree root caves and peat and leaf debris. Also, if it didn't work out, I could always put the badis in my 33 gal community tank. However, both are described as community fish, but also both are recommended in species tanks! Big C had offered some suggestions about mixing E. dageti monrovian with the A. australe, which kind of gave me the idea that my plan might work.

I also realize that the badis, liking live food, would probably eat fry, but the australe eat them too, and I'm not really concerned about breeding that much. I could always collect eggs and hatch them in another tank if I changed my mind.

So, what do you think? Thanks in advance.

 

[eschaton]

I love Scarlet Badis, but personally I wouldn't suggest this. I had a pair of A. striatum which I put into my community tank once. They bit the tails off of similarly-sized Boraras micros, and even some immature Danio choprae.

 

[starrynightxxi]

in my experience, badis are not top level fish at all. Mainly bottom with occasionally patrolling.

Whether they would do better in your 33g depends on what is in it. They are generally slow feeders so you'll want to make sure that they are getting enough to eat. Nice little fish, though.

I have A. striatum in a 20gL with several small microrasbora shoals (galaxies, maculatas, brigittae), gertrude's rainbows, peacock gudgeons, regular badis, dwarf lattice cichlid (nanacara sp.), platies, and a young wild dwarf gourami. they initially were nippy with the peacock gudgeons, but ignore them now.

 

[4ftguppy]

This might work, but i'd watch carefully for some days

I suspect one fish may outcompete the other for food if you don't get it spread all over the tank. Put in a fair amount of free floating plant, and make a darker shadier side of the tank for something to retreat to. If you use livefoods, make sure they all get their share.

I think fish temperaments can vary from individual to individual, and in a borderline case like this, the precise nature of each fish may decide what happens

keep us informed!

 

[buffalogal]

I got so backed up with the holiday, this is my first chance to post!

Well, I did get my little scarlet badis. He got nipped at a little the first day, but has been fine since. The male australe will harass him a little, but he doesn't follow through with anything. The badis was really shy at first, but gets braver every day. Also, the tank is heavily planted with: 1 tall java fern and large lace java fern plus four smaller ones, 2 pieces of bogwood, 5 floating plastic plants and a plastic red cabomba that is somewhat badis colored. They also have a small terra cot pot cave and some boiled oak leaves that the badis likes to hide under. The background has a lot of redish areas too, so the badis has a lot of opportunities for camoflage. It's actually better aquascaped than my big tanks. I will keep a close eye on them though. I agree about the different personalitlies, but also think it is the hiding places and planting that is making this doable.

Thank you everyone for your experiences and advice.