In The Wild
Date Classified:
1979
Native Location:
Lowlands of Malay Peninsula and Sumatra
Environment:
- Stagnant streams
- Small, shallow pools
Water and Hardness:
Soft
Water pH:
4-5 – Strongly acidic – one of the only fish able to survive
In Aquaria:
Physical Appearance:
Similar to their native habitat
- Reddish-Brown to deep wine red
- Male: iridescent green, square blotch on flank
- Females developed bright green line along body during breeding
- Males developed white edging around their square, green blotch during breeding
Finnage:
Males have longer and more pointed anal and dorsal fins
Size:
2-3 inches in length
Feeding in Captivity:
Live and frozen food as well as commercial flaked
- Frozen brine shrimp
- Small insects
- Mysids
- Bloodworms
- Daphnia
- Flaked or dried commercial foods
Water and Hardness:
Preferably soft
Water Temperature:
77-84 degrees Fahrenheit
Water pH:
Preferably acidic – less than 7.0
Breeding:
Spawns several different ways: inside PVC tubes, other tight fitting places available in the tank and under surface leaves. A five-gallon tank will suffice. This Betta will eat most every live food but seems to refuse daphnia and tubifex worms.