Dusky Betta (Betta fusca)

Dusky Betta Betta fusca
Name	Dusky Betta
Name Lat.	Betta fusca
Family	Gouramies
Family lat.	Osphronemidae
Order	Labyrinth Fishes
Order lat.	Anabantiformes
Origin	Southeast Asia
Habitat	Streams, ponds
Diet	Carnivore
pH	5.5-7.0
Behavior	Peaceful
Keeping	Pair
Care Level	Moderate
Reproduction	Mouthbrooder
Breeding	Moderately difficult
Life Span	2-5 years
Protection	No
Metric Units
Size	8 cm
Temperature	20-26 °C
Hardness	2-15 °dH
Aquarium	60 cm / 54 l
US Units
Size	3.1"
Temperature	68-79 °F
Hardness	36-267 ppm
Aquarium	15 gal

Distribution and habitat

The distribution area of the dark fighting fish is the island of Sumatra and the island of Bangka (Indonesia) and the south of the Malay Peninsula (Malaysia). There they live in slowly flowing and stagnant waters with dense vegetation.

Maintenance

The aquarium should have dense planting, with many hiding places (stones, roots). A dark substrate with sea almond leaves and subdued light (floating plant cover) is ideal.

No ammonia, ammonium and nitrite should be detectable, the nitrate value should not exceed 100 mg/l. To ensure the water quality and oxygen content, a filter and heater adapted to the aquarium size is required, as well as lighting for the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals.

Diet

They prefer live food, accordingly the food offer consists of cyclops, daphnia, artemia, mysis, and mosquito larvae, which is accepted without problems also in frozen form, supplemented with commercially available, frozen special food mixtures. High-quality dry food (flakes, granules) is also well accepted.

Regular and varied feeding promotes health and prevents deficiency symptoms. Only feed as much as is eaten immediately (in a maximum of 10 minutes).

Behaviour and compatibility

They should be kept in pairs. Keeping multiple pairs is only recommended in a large, richly structured tank. They are a peaceful species that can be kept well in a community tank with hiding places.

Basically, only mutually compatible fish species with similar demands on water conditions and water temperature should be socialized.

Sex dimorphism

The sexes are difficult to distinguish, the males are larger and have slightly longer extended fins.

Reproduction and breeding

They are mouth breeding fighting fish. Mating occurs near the bottom, with the male entwining the female in a u-shape. The eggs fall on the anal and caudal fin of the male. The female collects them and spits them in front of the male's mouth. The male takes the eggs into his throat pouch for further mouth brooding. The female defends the male and the territory. From the 9th day the young fish are released.

The fry must be fed several times a day with special rearing food (dust food, Artemia nauplii). In a community tank breeding is hardly possible, because the fry are easy prey

Important

They have an additional respiratory organ, the so-called labyrinth (suprabranchial organ) with which they breathe atmospheric air and can suffocate if this is not possible. The air temperature in the breathing area must not be below the water temperature! The tank must be well covered, because they jump.

Other fish of similar shape and coloration are usually perceived as enemies.

The well-being of the fish should be checked regularly. Temperature should be checked daily, pH, hardness and nitrate levels at least fortnightly. Regular partial water changes are recommended, even if the contaminant level has not yet reached the upper limit. Sudden changes in water quality should be avoided. Newly introduced fish must be accustomed slowly to the water in the aquarium.

Further literature can be found in your pet store.

References

Text: petdata; Image: Anton Lamboj

Source: BMELV (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); RIEHL & BAENSCH (2004): Aquarien Atlas Bd. 3, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch

• Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF