Cobalt Blue Gourami

Size : 1" - 1.2" Minimum Tank Size: 15 gallons Care Level: Moderate Temperament: Peaceful Aquarium Hardiness: Less hardy than Neon Tetras Water Conditions: 73-81° F, KH 2-6, pH 5.5-7.5 Max. Size: 3″ Color Form: Iridescent Blue, Red Diet: Omnivore Compatibility: Peaceful, keep with other small tetras Origin: Farm Raised in Europe, Indigenous to South America Family: Characidae Lifespan: Up to 8 years Aquarist Experience Level: Moderate Experience

Approx. 2cm

Badis are a peaceful species, though best kept in a species only tank due to being territorial after spawning. Badis are particularly helpful at reducing snail populations should they pose an issue in a tank. They are a shy, tiny, tropical freshwater fish considered one of the more underrated species in the hobby, neglected despite their brilliant coloration, stripes, and unique personality reminiscent of dwarf cichlids that make them quite an interesting species to keep and watch.

Male Badis look a bit slimmer than females, and their pelvic fins also extend out further as they develop and mature than those of the female.

Males are also more colorful than females (which are without the red or blue colors on their flanks), making them the more popular sex for importation. The Badis come with seven bold stripes along their body.

Badis prefer the best of both worlds: well-planted tanks offering lots of hiding places and dark “secure” areas between rocks and wood, as well as open swimming areas to move around in. Using the water conditions above should render very healthy and vibrant Badis.

Badis accept all varieties of food from the staple quality flakes, to blood worms and white worms as treats.

Approx. 1.5″ – 2″ The Rummynose, also known as “firehead tetras“, are found in the upper and lower Amazon River basins, the Rio Negro and Rio Meta basins, and the Orinoco River. Rummynose Tetras live in the quiet, tannin stained, slow moving creeks and “blackwater” river areas of Brazil and Columbia.  They prefer the soft, acidic water that is the result of decayed vegetation and leaf litter, and frequent areas with an abundance of aquatic plant life and hiding places. When housed in a heavily planted aquarium environment, Rummynose Tetras are benefited by placing a piece of water logged driftwood into their tanks. When kept in a suitable environment, the ruby red head that is the namesake for these fish becomes more vivid and pronounced. Rummynose Tetras are a silvery, torpedo shaped fish with two black and white stripes on each caudal fin and horizontal black and white stripes on the tail fin. Its head is a deep iridescent red that continues from the iris of the eye, past the gill plate to mid body. Its name is derived from the word “rummy“, which was the name given to rum addicted alcoholics who often had red (rummy) noses. Rummynose Tetras are shoaling fish that seldom exceed 2” in length.  They are sensitive to water hardness, pH, and water temperature fluctuations and are best kept in schools of 6 or more fish. Rummynose Tetras are a hardy fish that require only minimal care when housed in a densely planted 20 gallon tank with plenty of gentle water filtration. Keeping the water warm (between 73 to 80 degrees), the pH between 6.0 to 7.0 and providing weekly 25% water changes will keep your Rummynose Tetras healthy. When Rummynose Tetras are stressed, the vivid red on their noses will become drab and eventually disappear.  This can occur when the fish are first introduced into your aquarium, but after a couple of weeks they will regain their beautiful ruby red “nose” if water conditions are optimal. Rummynose Tetras will eagerly accept commercial flake foods, live brine shrimp, tubifex worms, mosquito larvae and a variety of freeze dried and frozen foods. Minimum Tank Size: 15 – 20 gallons Care Level: Easy Temperament: Peaceful Water Conditions: 72-80° F, KH 2-6, pH 5.5-7.0 Max. Size: 2″ Color Form: Red, White Diet: Omnivore Compatibility: Ok with large non agressive fish Origin: South America, Bred in Europe and Southeast Asia Family: Characidae Lifespan: 5 to 6 years Aquarist Experience Level: Experienced