Moderate
Assam Badis (Badis assamensis)
18–24°C
£12.99
Tiny specialist Indostomus paradoxus for mature planted nano aquariums with gentle flow, dense cover, quiet tank mates and very small live foods.
Adult size is the maximum length this species reaches at full maturity (scientific sources). The livestock you receive will be younger and smaller — pick a size variant above for the actual shipping size. Product-photo provenance and any image-specific limitations are stated on the listing.
Indostomus paradoxus
Armoured Stickleback are a shoaling species — they need 6+ to feel safe and show their full colour. Larger shoals stay calmer, eat better, and look stunning.
Confirm your email, then we’ll send an availability message for this exact item if it returns within 180 days.
This request is only for this product—no newsletter or other promotions. A mail-provider retry may very rarely duplicate the same availability message. Unconfirmed addresses are removed after 48 hours. See our privacy policy.
Tiny specialist Indostomus paradoxus for mature planted nano aquariums with gentle flow, dense cover, quiet tank mates and very small live foods.
Adult size is the maximum length this species reaches at full maturity (scientific sources). The livestock you receive will be younger and smaller — pick a size variant above for the actual shipping size. Product-photo provenance and any image-specific limitations are stated on the listing.
18–24°C
22–28°C · pH 6–7.5 · 30L
20–24°C · pH 7–8 · 45L
18–26°C · pH 6.5–8 · 30L
Maintain these water conditions for optimal health and vibrant colors
Armoured Stickleback (Indostomus paradoxus) is a tiny specialist oddball for mature planted nano aquariums. It is not a normal community fish or a beginner impulse purchase. The appeal is in its miniature armoured body, hovering posture and quiet behaviour, but success depends on gentle surroundings and food small enough for its narrow mouth.
This listing is currently out of stock. Use the care notes below to decide whether your aquarium is ready before the next restock; this fish suits patient keepers who already maintain stable nano systems and can provide tiny live or frozen foods.
| Scientific name | Indostomus paradoxus |
|---|---|
| Common names | Armoured Stickleback, Paradox Fish, Toothpick Fish |
| Adult size | Around 3 cm |
| Minimum aquarium | 40 litres or larger for better stability |
| Temperature | 22-26 C |
| pH | 6.5-7.5, with low to moderate hardness |
| Temperament | Peaceful, shy and easily outcompeted |
| Diet | Tiny live or frozen foods such as daphnia, cyclops and baby brine shrimp |
Armoured Stickleback is best kept in a mature planted aquarium with gentle filtration, fine-leaved plants, moss, leaf litter or root cover. Keep the flow calm and the lighting moderate. Stability matters more than chasing dramatic numbers, because small aquariums can shift quickly if feeding, cleaning or temperature changes are rushed.
A species-focused setup is usually the safest choice. These fish are peaceful, but they are slow and deliberate feeders. Fast tetras, barbs, danios, guppies and larger bottom fish can take food before Indostomus paradoxus has a chance to feed.
Plan the food before ordering. Use very small live or frozen foods, then watch each fish feed rather than assuming food in the tank is being eaten. Daphnia, cyclops, microworms and baby brine shrimp are more realistic than large flakes or chunky frozen foods. This is one of the main reasons the species is better suited to experienced keepers than to a first aquarium.
Feed lightly and remove uneaten food. In a nano aquarium, extra food can spoil the water faster than the fish can tolerate. A small group in a calm, well-planted tank usually feeds more confidently than a single fish kept in a busy display.
Choose companions only if they are calm, tiny and not competitive at feeding time. Small snails and very gentle micro fish can work in the right aquarium, but a dedicated species setup is often better. Avoid boisterous feeders, large fish, fin-nippers and anything that needs strong current.
For similar quiet nano choices, compare Assam Badis, Black Tiger Dario, Strawberry Rasbora, Sparkling Gourami and Emerald Dwarf Danio. You can also browse the Indostomus category for restocks.
In the wild, this fish is associated with quiet, slow or stagnant freshwater habitats such as vegetated ditches, canals and swampy edges. It spends a lot of time close to plants, roots, leaf litter or the bottom rather than racing through open water. That natural behaviour is why the aquarium should feel still, detailed and secure.
Do not judge the fish by activity alone. A settled Armoured Stickleback may look like it is doing very little, then make small precise feeding movements when live food passes. Bright, bare, high-flow displays make that behaviour harder to see and harder for the fish to maintain.
| Area | Use | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Flow | Gentle sponge filtration or a softened outlet | Strong current or exposed open flow |
| Cover | Moss, fine stems, roots, leaf litter and shaded corners | Bare tanks with nowhere to pause |
| Lighting | Moderate light with shaded zones | Bright open light across the whole tank |
| Maintenance | Small, regular water changes | Large sudden swings in a small aquarium |
| Food type | Role | Keeper note |
|---|---|---|
| Baby brine shrimp | Reliable moving food | Useful after arrival and for routine conditioning |
| Moina or daphnia | Hunting response and variety | Offer small portions and watch each fish feed |
| Cyclops | Tiny frozen or live option | Works best when not competed away by tank mates |
| Microworms or grindal worms | Supplement | Feed lightly so the nano aquarium stays clean |
When the species is available again, prepare the aquarium before dispatch rather than adjusting the tank after arrival. Keep lights low at first, release near plants or cover, and offer tiny moving foods once the fish has settled. Avoid chasing the fish around the aquarium or forcing it into open water for photographs.
The first week is mostly about observation. Check that each fish is feeding, that no tank mate is rushing the food, and that uneaten food is not building up. If the fish stays hidden but feeds from cover, that can still be normal for a quiet nano specialist.
| First-week sign | Good response |
|---|---|
| Fish holds near plants or leaf litter | Keep the tank quiet and observe feeding calmly |
| Food is ignored | Try smaller moving live foods and reduce competition |
| Tank mates rush every meal | Move to a species-focused setup or separate feeding area |
| Water quality drifts | Feed less, remove leftovers and use small water changes |
Choose Armoured Stickleback if you enjoy specialist nano aquariums, small live-food cultures and careful observation. It is a fascinating fish for a quiet planted display, but it is not a bright, active centrepiece and it is not the right choice for a busy mixed community.
| Good fit | Poor fit |
|---|---|
| Mature planted nano aquarium | New uncycled aquarium |
| Keeper can provide live micro-foods | Keeper wants flake-only feeding |
| Quiet species-focused display | Fast community tank with strong feeding competition |
| Patient observation and stable routine | Impulse purchase for a busy display |
Armoured Stickleback is currently unavailable. When restocked, eligible livestock orders are sent by licensed live-animal courier and covered by the Live Arrival Guarantee when the delivery, receiving and acclimation instructions are followed. WELCOME10 can be used on eligible first orders when the fish is available.
