Can Aequidens Jenaro Herrera and Scarlet Badis Live Together?

Not Recommended

Aequidens Jenaro Herrera and Scarlet Badis are not recommended as tank mates due to piscivorous fish will prey on nano-sized tank mates.. Housing these species together is likely to result in stress, health problems, or direct harm to one or both fish.


At a Glance

Aequidens Jenaro Herrera

Aequidens sp. 'Jenaro Herrera'

Scarlet Badis

Dario dario

🐠Family Group
Aequidens Jenaro Herrera
Cichlids - South American
Scarlet Badis
Other
Temperament
Aequidens Jenaro Herrera
Semi-Aggressive (5/10)
Scarlet Badis
Mostly Peaceful (3/10)
Temperature
βœ“ Compatible
Aequidens Jenaro Herrera
24–28Β°C
Scarlet Badis
18–26Β°C
pH Range
βœ“ Compatible
Aequidens Jenaro Herrera
6–7.5
Scarlet Badis
6.5–8.5
Hardness (dGH)
βœ“ Compatible
Aequidens Jenaro Herrera
2–12
Scarlet Badis
4–20
Water Type
βœ“ Compatible
Aequidens Jenaro Herrera
Freshwater Only
Scarlet Badis
Freshwater Only
Flow Preference
βœ“ Compatible
Aequidens Jenaro Herrera
Moderate
Scarlet Badis
Low
Min Tank Volume
Combined: 200 L
Aequidens Jenaro Herrera
200 L
Scarlet Badis
20 L
Swimming Level
Shared: 2 zones
Aequidens Jenaro Herrera
MiddleBottom
Scarlet Badis
MiddleBottom
🏷️Behavior Tags
Aequidens Jenaro Herrera
Territorial (Defends specific area)Piscivore (Eats small/nano fish)Fry PredatorDigger (Disturbs Substrate)Aggressive to same species/look-alikes
Scarlet Badis
Nano / Bite-sized (Predation Risk)Shrimp EaterFry PredatorShy / Slow Moving (Easily Stressed)Aggressive to same species/look-alikesTerritorial (Defends specific area)
Stocking calculator

Can your tank handle Aequidens Jenaro Herrera and Scarlet Badis?

Compatibility is only part of the answer. Test both fish with your real tank size, current stock, and maintenance needs to see if you have enough space and a safe stocking level before you add them.

Aequidens Jenaro Herrera
Scarlet Badis
Test both in my tank

Behaviour & Temperament

Aequidens Jenaro Herrera is a moderately assertive species (5/10), while Scarlet Badis is generally mild-mannered (3/10). This modest difference means Aequidens Jenaro Herrera may occasionally assert dominance over Scarlet Badis.

Aequidens Jenaro Herrera and Scarlet Badis both frequent the Middle (Open Water) and Bottom (Substrate) region of the setup. This overlap can increase competition for space, so providing ample room and cover is important to keep both species comfortable.

There is a critical concern: the Piscivore (Eats small/nano fish) behaviour of one fish directly conflicts with the Nano / Bite-sized (Predation Risk) trait of the other β€” piscivorous fish will prey on nano-sized tank mates..

Additional behavioural considerations to keep in mind: Two territorial species may clash over territory, especially in smaller tanks.

Water Parameters

The safe temperature window for both species falls between 24Β°C and 26Β°C. Aim for the midpoint of this range (around 25.0Β°C) for optimal comfort.

Both fish can tolerate a pH between 6.5 and 7.5. Maintaining a stable value within this band is more important than hitting an exact number.

For general hardness, the shared comfort zone is 4–12 dGH. Regular testing will ensure conditions stay within this range.

Tank Setup

To house Aequidens Jenaro Herrera and Scarlet Badis together, plan for an aquarium of at least 200 litres with a minimum length of 120 cm. This recommendation combines the stricter species minimums with a community-load allowance so the pairing has realistic long-term space and filtration headroom.

Providing a mix of open swimming space and sheltered areas with rocks, driftwood, or plants will keep both species comfortable and allow natural behaviour.

Specific environmental needs for this combination include: Sand (Sifters), Driftwood (Digestion/Hiding), Smooth Gravel (Sensitive Barbels), Plants - Densely covered, Plants - lighly covered. Meeting these requirements will help both species thrive.

Both species do well with moderate (standard) water movement, so a standard filtration setup rated for the tank volume should suffice.

Suitable Tank Sizes

Standard aquarium sizes large enough for both Aequidens Jenaro Herrera and Scarlet Badis.

Show 5 more tank sizes

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Aequidens Jenaro Herrera and Scarlet Badis live together?

No. This combination is not recommended. Key incompatibilities β€” such as critical behavioural conflicts β€” make cohabitation unsafe.

What size tank do Aequidens Jenaro Herrera and Scarlet Badis need?

A minimum of 200 litres (tank length at least 120 cm) is recommended. This provides enough space for both species to establish their own areas and reduces the likelihood of territorial disputes.

What water temperature is best for Aequidens Jenaro Herrera and Scarlet Badis together?

Keep the aquarium between 24Β°C and 26Β°C. A target of around 25.0Β°C sits comfortably within both species' preferred ranges.

Are Aequidens Jenaro Herrera or Scarlet Badis aggressive?

Aequidens Jenaro Herrera is moderately assertive (5/10) and Scarlet Badis is generally mild-mannered (3/10). Their similar temperaments generally lead to a peaceful coexistence.

What pH do Aequidens Jenaro Herrera and Scarlet Badis need?

Both species overlap in the 6.5–7.5 pH range. Consistency is key β€” avoid sudden swings, and test regularly to stay within this window.

How do I manage Aequidens Jenaro Herrera's territorial behaviour?

Provide line-of-sight breaks using rocks, driftwood, and dense planting. A larger tank gives Aequidens Jenaro Herrera space to claim a territory without encroaching on the other fish's area. Adding dΓ©cor that divides the tank into distinct zones works especially well.


Related Comparisons

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Aequidens Jenaro Herrera: PeacefulAltifrons Eartheater: Peaceful

Aequidens Jenaro Herrera & Bahia Red

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Aequidens Jenaro Herrera & Banded Cichlid

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Aequidens Jenaro Herrera & Barlow's Dwarf Cichlid (Apistogramma MaulbrΓΌter)

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Aequidens Jenaro Herrera: PeacefulBarlow's Dwarf Cichlid (Apistogramma MaulbrΓΌter): Peaceful

Aequidens Jenaro Herrera & Blue Acara

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Aequidens Jenaro Herrera: PeacefulBlue Acara: Peaceful

Aequidens Jenaro Herrera & Chocolate Cichlid

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Aequidens Jenaro Herrera: PeacefulChocolate Cichlid: Peaceful

Scarlet Badis & Badis (Chameleon Fish)

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Possible with Caution
Scarlet Badis: PeacefulBadis (Chameleon Fish): Peaceful

Scarlet Badis & African Dwarf Frog

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Scarlet Badis: PeacefulAfrican Dwarf Frog: Peaceful

Scarlet Badis & Amazon Leaf Fish

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Scarlet Badis: PeacefulAmazon Leaf Fish: Peaceful

Scarlet Badis & Orange Chromide

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Possible with Caution
Scarlet Badis: PeacefulOrange Chromide: Peaceful

Scarlet Badis & African Clawed Frog

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Not Recommended
Scarlet Badis: PeacefulAfrican Clawed Frog: Peaceful

Scarlet Badis & Banded Chromide

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Possible with Caution
Scarlet Badis: PeacefulBanded Chromide: Peaceful