Badis singenensis ( = sp. Buxar)
A beautiful, small chameleon fish (Badis) originates from the north of India, which has a reduced swim bladder as a special feature within the genus. As a result, it is very bottom-bound and moves around somewhat hopping. The maximum length of this species is approx. 4-5 cm including the caudal fin.
Before the scientific description, this small badis was sold under the misleading name “sp. Buxa(r)”. This is awkward insofar as years earlier the then undescribed Badis blosyrus was also referred to as Badis sp. buxar; B. blosyrus is one of the largest Badis species and can reach almost 8 cm in length, so it is not entirely insignificant which “buxar” (incidentally, this is the name of a tiger sanctuary in the north of Bengal, in whose adjacent area the Badis are caught) you get.
There are three scientific names for Badis that look like B. singenensis: the species was described as Badis singenensis in 2011, again as Badis triocellus in 2013 and finally as B. lasiophilus in 2015. The describers of B. triocellus had obviously overlooked the description of B. singenensis; consequently, there are no described differences between B. singenensis and B. triocellus. The describers of B. lasiophilus differentiate their new species from B. singenensis, but not from B. triocellus. Again, the first description of B. triocellus was apparently overlooked by the authors of B. lasiophilus; in any case, it is not listed in the bibliography. Thus one has to laboriously search for possible differences from the three first descriptions, which is always an error-prone undertaking. The main difference between B. singenensis and B. lasiophilus is the smaller final size of B. lasiophilus (15.7- 21.0 mm SL vs. 22.3-42.0 mm SL; SL = standard length without caudal fin) and the smaller number of scales around the caudal peduncle (14-16 vs. 19-20). The remaining indicated differences in proportions are only marginal and overlap. For B. triocellus, the size of the examined specimens is given in total length (TL), i.e. including the caudal fin, which makes the values difficult to compare. The authors had 32 specimens between 25.42-48.74 mm TL. 14 scales are reported around the caudal peduncle, i.e. as in B. lasiophilus. This leaves two possible conclusions: firstly, all three species could be valid, different species that all originate from the same distribution area and do not differ in color. Or secondly: all three forms are the same species. After careful consideration of all the available facts, we have decided not to differentiate between the three forms and refer to them on our stock list as Badis singenensis after the form named first.
As already mentioned, all three forms are similar in color, although only preserved specimens of B. singenensis are shown in the first description. Typical is a large black spot at the beginning of the dorsal fin, the shape of which is variable; very rarely this spot can also be divided into two spots. In the soft-rayed part of the anal and dorsal fins there is also a round black spot, which is not found in any other Badis species. The tail root spot found in many Badis species is bordered in the front area by a semicircular light and dark band. There is a red dot on each scale. In neutral coloration, this red dot is barely noticeable, then, as with all Badis species, the vertical stripe pattern dominates. However, when the fish is mating or otherwise excited, the stripes recede and the fish glows a bright red, as if it is glowing internally. It is not for nothing that Badis species are also known as chameleon fish because of their enormous ability to change color.
Breeding Badis singenensis is unproblematic, it is typical Badis style, i.e. they are cave breeders, the male guards the spawn, the female has nothing to do with caring for the fry. When the young swim free, the male’s care instinct also ceases. The water values are of secondary importance, pH values between 6 and 8.5, hardness from soft to hard are suitable. The water should be clear, but a very strong current is not necessary. Any frozen and live food of a suitable size will be eaten, badis generally reject dry food. The water temperature can and should fluctuate over the course of the seasons, the lower temperature limit is around 14°C, the upper limit around 30°C. All Badis species are pretty tolerant against each other and other fish.
For our customers: the animals have code 368142 on our stock list. Please note that we only supply the wholesale trade.
Literature
Geetakumari, K. & K. Kadu (2011): Badis singenensis, a new fish species (Teleostei: Badidae) from Singen River, Arunachal Pradesh, northeastern India. Journal of Threatened Taxa v. 3 (no. 9): 2085-2089
Khynriam, D. & N. Sen (2013): On a new species Badis triocellus (Pisces: Perciformes: Badidae) from North East India. Records of the Zoological Survey of India v. 111 (no. 4) (for 2011): 65-72
Valdesalici, S. & S. van der Voort (2015): Badis laspiophilus, a new miniature addition to the ichthyofauna of West Bengal, north-eastern India, with observations on its ecology and preliminary notes on its ethology (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Badidae). Zootaxa 3986 (no. 2): 193-200
Text & photos: Frank Schäfer
