Kanabos Badis

Badis kanabos was described from slow-flowing and standing-water habitats in Mizoram, one of the biodiversity-rich northeastern states of India. It is a cryptically patterned species with earth-toned mosaic markings over a grey-brown base, punctuated by iridescent blue-green scale highlights that become vivid in displaying males. Like its congeners, it is a slow-moving, ambush-style micro-predator.

This species is best housed in a species-specific or very calm biotope aquarium where it will not be outcompeted for food and where its quiet, deliberate behaviour can be appreciated. Adequate cave structures — clay pots, hollow driftwood, or purpose-made ceramic caves — are essential for normal behaviour and breeding.

Paternal cave-spawning is the reproduction strategy. The male selects the best cave site, courts the female, and guards eggs and newly hatched fry until they are free-swimming. At this point the male can become aggressive toward the female and separation may be necessary.