Betta Smaragdina

In The Wild

Date Classified:

1972

Native Location:

Thailand

Environment:

Grassy marshes, rice paddies, pools and ditches

Water pH:

6.5

In Aquaria:

Physical Appearance:

  • Dark body
  • Metallic blue, black, blue-black or green on the gill cover

Finnage:

  • Males’ fins are longer and have richer colors
  • Pelvic fins have red spots
  • Pelvic fins may be edged in white

Size:

2.5 inches in length

Feeding in Captivity:

Live such as brine shrimp or frozen; commercially prepared flakes and dried

Water and Hardness:

Calcium-magnesium hardness of 8-10

Water Temperature:

75-82 degrees Fahrenheit

Water pH:

Neutral at 7.0 or slightly lower and more acidic

Breeding:

When bred for fighting, their fins are shorter. When bred for hobbyists and aquariums, their finnage is longer and more elegant. Easily bred in a 10-gallon fish tank that is 50% tap water and 50% RO water. Tank should be densely vegetated.