Penang Betta (Betta pugnax)
| Penang Betta Betta pugnax | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Penang Betta |
| Name Lat. | Betta pugnax |
| Family | Gouramies |
| Family lat. | Osphronemidae |
| Order | Labyrinth Fishes |
| Order lat. | Anabantiformes |
| Origin | Southeast Asia |
| Habitat | Forest streams, ponds |
| Diet | Carnivore |
| pH | 5.5-7.5 |
| Behavior | Peaceful |
| Keeping | Pair |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Reproduction | Mouthbrooder |
| Breeding | Moderately difficult |
| Life Span | 3-5 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 12 cm |
| Temperature | 22-28 °C |
| Hardness | 5-10 °dH |
| Aquarium | 80 cm / 110 l |
| US Units | |
| Size | 4.7" |
| Temperature | 72-82 °F |
| Hardness | 89-178 ppm |
| Aquarium | 30 gal |
Distribution and habitat
The Warrior Fighting Fish is widely distributed in the north and west of Peninsular Malaysia. Populations have also been found in Singapore, the Riau Islands and Sumatra (Jambi, Indonesia). They live mostly in shady, clear forest streams and ponds and pools with deciduous gravel bottoms.
Maintenance
The aquarium should have dense planting, with many hiding places (stones, roots). A dark substrate of fine gravel with foliage (sea almond leaves) and subdued light (floating plant cover) is ideal. They only need a shallow water depth, 25 cm is sufficient.
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, but better in a species tank.
Basically, only mutually compatible fish species with similar demands on water condition and water temperature may be socialized.
Sex dimorphism
The larger male is more colorful and has 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. After 9-16 days 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
The warrior fighting fish has a misleading name, because intraspecific aggression is observed only in too small, sparsely furnished tanks. 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! They can differ considerably in coloration depending on their origin. Other fish of similar shape and coloration are usually perceived as enemies.
The well-being of the fish should be checked regularly. The temperature should be checked daily, the pH, hardness and nitrate value at least every 14 days. 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: Franz Lowak
Source: BMELV (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); RIEHL & BAENSCH (2006): Aquarien Atlas Bd. 1, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch
- Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF