Spotted Betta (Betta picta)

Spotted Betta Betta picta
Name	Spotted Betta
Name Lat.	Betta picta
Family	Gouramies
Family lat.	Osphronemidae
Order	Labyrinth Fishes
Order lat.	Anabantiformes
Origin	Southeast Asia
Habitat	Mountain streams, ponds
Diet	Carnivore
pH	6.0-7.0
Behavior	Peaceful
Keeping	Pair
Care Level	Difficult
Reproduction	Mouthbrooder
Breeding	Moderately difficult
Life Span	3-5 years
Protection	No
Metric Units
Size	6 cm
Temperature	22-24 °C
Hardness	1-10 °dH
Aquarium	60 cm / 54 l
US Units
Size	2.4"
Temperature	72-75 °F
Hardness	18-178 ppm
Aquarium	15 gal

Distribution and habitat

The distribution area of the Java fighting fish is the west of the island Java (Indonesia). There are also isolated localities in central Java. They live in ponds and pools of clear mountain streams with deciduous gravel bottom.

Maintenance

The aquarium should have dense planting, with many hiding places (stones, roots). A dark gravel substrate with foliage (sea almond leaves) and some subdued light (floating plants) 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, 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 male is more colorful and the profile of the head is slightly stockier.

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 9-12 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

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!

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 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: Werner Winter; Image: Franz Lowak

Source: BMELV (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); BAENSCH & RIEHL (2004): Aquarien Atlas Bd. 2, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch

• Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF